Newport Beach officials to weigh leaf blower ban

The Newport Beach City Council will discuss the feasibility of imposing a citywide ban on leaf blowers at a 5 p.m. study session today at City Hall.

The city’s Environmental Quality Affairs Committee took up the issue last year after hearing numerous complaints from residents about noisy leaf blowers in their neighborhoods. The committee found that the noise generated by most leaf blowers exceeds the city’s 55-60 decibel noise limit. The gasoline-powered leaf blowers also generate high concentrations of exhaust, as well as stir up particles of dust, mold and pesticides.

Laguna Beach has had a complete ban on leaf blowers since 1993. As many as 100 California cities also have enacted partial or total leaf blower bans, the committee found.

City Hall is at 3300 Newport Boulevard. More to come.