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Upcoming Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ordinance Transition
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Introduction
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Neighborhood Services will present on the implementation of the Village's gas-powered leaf blower ban.
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Recommended Action
No action requested. This is an informational item.
Prior Board Action
ORD 23-19: An ordinance amending Chapter 8 ("Business Licensing") by adding a new Article 41 ("Lawn Maintenance/Landscaping") and amending Chapter 7 ("Buildings"), Article 0 ("Contractor Registration"), Section 7-0-1 ("Contractor Registration") and Chapter 17 "Offenses"), Article 1 ("Identification of Specific Offenses"), Section 17-1-30 ("Noise") of the Oak Park Village Code.
Background
The Village Board adopted a phased ban on gas-powered leaf blowers in spring 2023 to reduce the environmental impacts of harmful emissions. Under that ordinance, the Village did not permit the operation of gas-powered leaf blowers from June 1 to September 30 in 2023 and 2024. Beginning June 1, 2025, a full ban would go into place.
These bans apply to all of the following groups.
* Property owners using gas-powered leaf blowers.
* Business owners using gas-powered leaf blowers.
* Landscapers using gas-powered leaf blowers.
* Property owners who hired and permitted landscapers to use the gas-powered leaf blower on their yards.
In 2023 and 2024, staff focused on education and engagement to allow the community time to adjust to the new regulation. This included annual focus groups with landscapers, and frequent, direct engagement with landscapers and property owners using gas-powered leaf blowers between June 1 and September 30. Enforcement staff only issued warnings in 2023 and only issued two tickets in 2024.
With the full ban going into effect June 1, 2025, staff are focusing on resident and landscaper engagement throughout May. This includes:
* Conducting a landscaper survey.
* Holding a landscaper open house.
* Tabling at the Oak Park Farmers Market an...
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