It’s summertime, when our glorious weather provides the opportunity for yard work and gardening. Here are some tips to keep you and your neighbors safe and healthy this summer and beyond.
Gas-powered leaf blower ban
Due to the environmental and health impacts of gasoline-powered leaf blowers, which emit a number of harmful toxic pollutants into the air — including carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides (which cause smog formation and acid rain), and hydrocarbons (which also cause smog when combusted) — the Alameda City Council approved an ordinance banning these devices that went into effect in January 2023.
City of Alameda Sustainability and Resilience Manager Danielle Mieler notes that an October 2025 UC Irvine Policy Brief found that fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and other emissions from gasoline-powered leaf blowers cause a range of health impacts, including respiratory diseases like asthma, increased cancer risk, and premature death that disproportionately affect low-income communities. These impacts are especially hazardous for equipment operators who are exposed to these pollutants all day. Additionally, the high noise level is disruptive to neighbors and wildlife and can cause hearing loss.
As a reminder, the Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) states:
- It shall be unlawful to operate any portable machine powered with a gasoline, diesel, or other combustion engine used to blow leaves, dirt, and other debris off sidewalks, driveways, lawns, or other surfaces, within the City limits.
- No owner of real property, tenant in possession of real property, or person in control of real property shall allow the operation of any portable machine powered with a gasoline, diesel, or other combustion engine used to blow leaves, dirt, and other debris on the property.
- No person who owns or operates a gardening, landscape maintenance or similar service shall operate or allow an employee or agent of that service to operate any portable machine powered with a gasoline, diesel, or other combustion engine used to blow leaves, dirt, and other debris within the City limits….
Violation of this local ordinance is punishable by a fine of up to $250. (AMC Section 24-14.1) To report a violation of this ordinance, go to SeeClickFix, select Code Enforcement as the category, and then on the “Enter Details“ page, select “gas powered leaf blowers” from the drop-down menu.
Mosquitoes not welcome here
Last month, Santa Clara County health officials reported that two county residents had been diagnosed with West Nile virus (WNV), the first two human cases of this mosquito-borne illness in 2026. Common symptoms include fever, headaches and muscle aches, nausea and vomiting, and severe cases can result in neurological illness or death…