Gas leaf blowers in San Mateo now have an expiration date. The city has confirmed that the noisy, exhaust-spewing machines will be outlawed citywide starting Jan. 1, 2027, following a City Council ordinance adopted this spring. To soften the blow for residents and landscapers, the rollout pairs the ban with a short-term rebate program for electric equipment, pitched as a win for quieter neighborhoods and cleaner air.
What the Ordinance Actually Bans
The ordinance revises Chapter 10.80 of the municipal code so that operating or authorizing gas-powered leaf blowers anywhere in San Mateo will be illegal after the effective date. Electric blowers are still allowed, but only during set hours: 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday in residential areas, 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays, and not at all on Sundays or listed holidays.
As outlined in the City of San Mateo municipal code, the update tightens definitions and enforcement language ahead of the January 2027 start date.
City Council members approved the measure earlier this year and built in a long transition so property owners and businesses have time to adapt. During public meetings, staff walked through enforcement options and possible operating hours before the council ultimately voted unanimously, the San Mateo Daily Journal reported. Council members decided against extending residential operating hours across the city, citing concerns about hampering commercial work…