The city of South Miami is closing in on a decision that would restrict the use of gas-powered landscape maintenance equipment in residential areas.

After approving the proposal unanimously on first reading at an earlier meeting, the city commission deferred a final decision on the proposed measure on June 4, which would restrict when noisy gas-powered maintenance tools like mowers, edgers, weed trimmers, electric leaf blowers, chain saws, chippers and stump grinders could be used.

The proposal would prohibit commercial landscaping companies from using noise-producing lawn maintenance equipment within 75 feet of occupied homes on weekends, and between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. on weekdays. Residents face less stringent restrictions: non-commercial operation is allowed after 8 a.m. on weekdays, and after 9 a.m. on weekends, until 30 minutes after sunset.

The ban would establish decibel limits for equipment, and ban the use of lawn-maintenance equipment "in a way that causes objectionable dust or other particulate matter to blow or drift in or through another residential property."

Most of the South Miami residents who spoke at the commission meeting were in support of the ban. At the recommendation of the city attorney, the commission put off a final decision on the new regulations so that the enforcement language and fine structure could be more clearly defined.

"There's no point in putting a law on the books until you know what the fine is, how is this going to be enforced, who is responsible for going out" and enforcing this ordinance, Commissioner Valerie Newman said.

Mayor Philip Stoddard, who drafted the proposal, modeled it after noise ordinances in Sacramento and Sarasota. He told the Miami Herald the intent was to "provide more peace and quiet" for residents.

"Everybody who wrote to me [about this proposal] wanted to see the leaf-blowers banned," Stoddard said.

The city of Coral Gables, near South Miami, considered similar regulations in 2010. The ordinance was approved on first reading, but tabled after residents resisted and not taken up again. The city of Arlington, Mass., passed a partial ban on gas-powered leaf blowers last year.