Gas Leaf Blower Phase-Out
In December 2023, Ann Arbor City Council enacted a new citywide requirement to phase out the use of gas-powered leaf blowers.
Phasing out gas-powered leaf blowers will lead to improved community health, less noise pollution, and fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
What are the new restrictions?
Summer ban: Beginning in 2024, the use of gas-powered leaf blowers will be prohibited in Ann Arbor from Jun. 1 to Sept. 30.
Seasonal use and phase-out: The use of gas-powered leaf blowers will be permitted from Oct. 1 to May 30 through 2027. Beginning Jan. 1, 2028, the use of gas-powered leaf blowers will be prohibited at all times in Ann Arbor.
General Restrictions: It is prohibited to blow or sweep debris, trash, leaves, plant clippings, or yard waste into a neighboring property, street, sidewalk, drain, or public right-of-way.
- Any leaf blower may be used at any time:
- In an emergency to protect health, safety, or property; or
- To restore property immediately after an emergency, such as to clear a walkway, driveway, or street from debris following a storm or other natural disaster.
- Any leaf blower may be used in street, sidewalk, or other paving construction or repair at any time when such work is otherwise permitted.
- Turbine blowers may be used at any time of year.
How to report a violation
If you see someone in violation of the leaf blower ordinance, you can report it to the Ann Arbor Police Department Community Standards at 734.794.6942.
Electric Lawn Care Equipment Discount Program
What is the Electric Lawn Care Equipment Discount Program?
Designed to help lower the cost of transitioning from gas to electric lawn care equipment in accordance with Ann Arbor's new leaf blower ordinance, the Electric Lawn Care Equipment Discount Program was designed by the City of Ann Arbor in cooperation with Grainger Industrial Supply and WEINGARTZ. The program will provide discounts on electric lawn care equipment from Mar. 1 through May 31. Ann Arbor residents as well as lawn care and landscaping companies that serve Ann Arbor customers will be eligible for the discount, which will be offered by Grainger Industrial Supply located at 2915 Boardwalk Dr. and WEINGARTZ located at 5436 Jackson Rd.
When will the discount be offered?
The discount will be offered Mar. 1 through May 31, 2025.
How much are the discounts?
Discount amounts vary by retailer. Below is a list of equipment and discounts provided by each participating retailer.
WEINGARTZ (5436 Jackson Rd.): During the discount period, WEINGARTZ will provide $25.00 off of the purchase of a second battery when purchasing a leaf blower kit.
Grainger Industrial Supply (2915 Boardwalk Dr.): A list of the discounts that will be offered by Grainger Industrial Supply during the discount period is provided in the table below.
| Item Number | Description | Percentage Discount |
| Leaf Blowers *kits include battery & charger | | |
| 14F192 | Corded Makita | 9.9% |
|
20X615
|
Corded Westward | 18.8% |
| 61UU76 | 12V Milwaukee (tool only) | 9.6% |
| 388RL9 | 18V Milwaukee Kit | 15.8% |
| 20JX71 | 18V Milwaukee (tool only) | 9.9% |
| 56DK70 | 20V DeWalt Kit | 6.4% |
| 56DK71 | 20V DeWalt (tool only) | 10.1% |
| 49AY38 | 56V Ego Kit | 9.7% |
| 453D97 | 56V Ego (tool only) | 10.1% |
| 52YW72 | 36V Makita Kit (2 batteries\chargers) | 11.5% |
| 44YV60 | 36V Makita (tool only) | 9.9% |
| 55ET25 | 56V Ego Backpack Kit 600 cfm | 8.5% |
| 52WT54 | 56V Ego Backpack (tool only) | 9.7% |
| 814MH8 | 56V Ego Backpack Kit 800 cfm | 10.6% |
| 814MN9 | 56V Echo Backpack Kit 795 cfm | 17.5% |
| Lawn Mower (w\battery & charger) | ||
| 793VM4 | 56V Echo Self Propelled | 5.6% |
| 56LM07 | 56V Ego Self Propelled | 6.2% |
| Line Trimmer (weed whip) | ||
| 54YP19 | 56V Ego Kit | 9.7% |
| 806UA1 | 20V DeWalt Kit | 10.6% |
| Pressure Washer | ||
| 49C153 | Corded Westward Light Duty | 11.5% |
Who is eligible for the discounts?
Ann Arbor residents as well as lawn care and landscaping companies that serve Ann Arbor customers will be eligible for the discount. For more information on eligibility, contact the participating retailers.
How do I take advantage of the discounts?
Between Mar. 1 and May 31, call or visit Grainger Industrial Supply or WEINGARTZ to take advantage of this program. Interested parties should let the store representative know of their interest in participating in the City of Ann Arbor's Electric Lawn Care Equipment Discount Program and be prepared to verify their eligibility.
Electric Leaf Blower Rebate Program
What are electric leaf blower rebates?
Beginning Mar. 1 through May 31, electric leaf blower rebates will be available to businesses that provide lawn care or landscaping services to properties located in Ann Arbor. To receive a rebate, businesses will be required to trade in old gas leaf blowers.
When will the rebates be offered?
Rebates will be offered beginning Mar. 1, 2025, on a first come, first serve basis. Rebates will be available until May 31, 2025, or until funding is expended, whichever occurs first. Up to $100,000 in funding is available for Electric Leaf Blower Rebates.
How much is the rebate?
The rebate amount will be 50% of the cost of the new electric leaf blower to a maximum of $400. Eligible businesses may apply for multiple rebates to a maximum of $5,000 per business.
Who is eligible for the rebate?
Businesses that provide lawn care or landscaping services to properties located in Ann Arbor will be eligible for this rebate. Homeowners will not be eligible.
What can the rebate be used for?
The rebate can be used for any battery-powered/electric leaf blower. Leaf blowers may be purchased at any retailer and may be a part of a battery/charger kit.
What are the program requirements?
Eligible businesses must trade in an old gas leaf blower to receive a rebate for an electric leaf blower. Leaf blower trade-ins must be of equivalent quantity. More information on this process will be available once rebate applications open on Mar. 1st.
How can I apply for the rebate?
The rebate application will become available on Mar. 1. A link to the application, as well as additional information on the application process, will be posted on this website at that time.
Can I apply for a rebate and participate in the discount program?
Yes, businesses can participate in both the electric leaf blower rebates and the electric leaf blower discount program.
Why phase-out gas-powered leaf blowers?
Health: Gas-burning leaf blowers release harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde, and fine particulate pollution. Exposure to these pollutants can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, and respiratory disease.
Emissions: Using a gas-powered leaf blower for one hour can emit the same amount of greenhouse gases as driving a gas-powered car over 1000 miles.
Noise: Gas-powered leaf blowers can operate as loud as 100 decibels, which is almost as loud as a jet flyover at a sporting event. This high volume can cause hearing damage and stress from noise pollution.
Environmental contamination: Spills are common when refueling gas-powered leaf blowers. Fuel spills seep into soil and can enter groundwater and waterways.
Alternatives to gas-powered leaf blowers
Skip the leaf blower: A great alternative to using a gas leaf blower is to skip the leaf blower all together. Leaving whole or mulched leaves on a lawn provides a much-needed habitat for pollinator species, and a broom or rake can be used to remove leaves from sidewalks or driveways. Mulching can be done using a lawn mower. If a leaf blower is being used to remove mowed grass from a sidewalk or driveway, the area of mowed turfgrass can be reduced by planting native groundcover in place of turfgrass, or by extending the area of garden beds. To learn more about pollinator aware yard care, visit our pollinator aware yard care webpage, or take a look at the CTN episode linked below. Adapt, a nonprofit focused on creating native landscapes, also has information on their website about Ann Arbor contractors who specialize in pollinator friendly landscape services as well as additional resources. Scroll to the bottom of Adapt’s Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti webpage for their list of contractors.
Go electric: Electric leaf blowers are healthier alternatives to their gas-burning counterparts and are widely available. They produce no harmful air pollutants or environmental contamination, create significantly less noise and greenhouse gas emissions, have much lower operational costs, and are lighter, safer, easier to start, and require less maintenance. Lawn care companies and property owners are encouraged to view our case study guide and the CTN episode linked below to learn more about how to implement electric lawn care on a larger scale. The Office of Sustainability and Innovations will launch resources to help lower the cost of transitioning to electric leaf blowers by the end of 2024.
How to sustainably dispose of gas-powered leaf blowers
Resources
Electric Lawn Care Case Study Guide
