Blower Ban

The Sonoma City Council approved a one-year moratorium on the use of all leaf blowers on city property. The council also approved restricting the use of leaf blowers in residential areas and the posting of hours and days when leaf blowing can occur in commercial areas.

The council ordered the Community Services and Environment Commission to study specific hours and days for the restriction and to report back to the council with its recommendations.

With the exception of the one-year moratorium, the measures approved are similar to recommendations made by the commission in a report presented to the council.

Sonoma's noise ordinance currently prohibits the use of residential power equipment before 8 a.m., later on weekends and holidays, and every day after 6 p.m. Noise limits are set at 90 decibels.