Possibly a controversial take, but if I were Queen of the World tomorrow, I would take a few minutes to outlaw leaf blowers. I find them deeply annoying. So let that be my disclosure that I have a bias that I’m happy to admit to. Now, what you do on your own lawn is your own business, but once it goes in the gutter, it’s everyone else’s. But is it allowed, even if it’s annoying?
Nope, You Are Not Allowed To Blow Lawn Waste Into Lubbock Streets
According to the City of Lubbock, blowing grass clippings or leaves into the street is against city ordinance, and you could be subject to a fine:
Ordinance No. 2008-00095 Section 22.11.032. It specifically prohibits any intentional disposal of sediment, grass clippings, leaves, or other vegetation into any gutter, street, sidewalk, or other drainage device that connects with or drains into the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4).
The fines can be quite steep, and probably coincide with the severity of the waste, up to $2,000 according to Everything Lubbock.
Why Clippings In The Street Is A Problem
Yard waste in gutters is an issue for Lubbock, as it could easily clog up our storm drains. They can also contain pesticides or fertilizers that we don’t want in our groundwater…