County Board members are approaching an initial vote on potentially prohibiting gas-powered leaf-blowers, but it’s still unclear when such a ban would go into effect.
The Board is slated to vote this Saturday on setting a a public hearing for next month that could start the clock ticking. County staff is sticking with its past recommendation for a three-year phase-in period, unswayed by recommendations by a number of advisory panels for a shorter phase-in period.
In a memo to Board members, staff said:
“A 36-month phase-out period would give residents and businesses the time needed to transition and minimize impact. The additional time will enable businesses who need it time to identify financing solutions, adjust their operations and benefit from advancements in electric equipment technology, enabling a more seamless and equitable transition for all parties involved.”
If adopted by Board members, the date of the prohibition would be set for July 18, 2029.
Board members at the June 13 meeting potentially could advertise a time frame of 18 or 24 months, giving them the option to consider those shorter periods. If the legal advertisement contains the full three-year implementation period, Board members would likely not be able to retroactively shorten it when taking action in July.
Typically, routine requests to advertise a future hearing are placed on the Board’s consent agenda. This one has been placed on the regular hearing portion of the June 13 meeting.
That could indicate divisions among Board members on the timing of any phase-in period, or could simply be an expectation that members of the public will want to make comments before legal advertising is approved.
When Board members last discussed the matter in March, it seemed an informal consensus had emerged for the three-year implementation period. Since then, three advisory bodies have gone on record in support of an 18-month transition:
- Climate Change, Energy and Environment Commission
- Forestry and Natural Resources Commission
- Park and Recreation Commission
Staff, however, believe 18 months would be problematic:
“While many residents favor an immediate or 18-month prohibition, commercial landscaping businesses raised valid concerns about the upfront cost, availability of financing and performance of some electric alternatives. Staff propose a 36-month phase-out specifically to mitigate these economic impacts and allow businesses time to adapt.”
Eighteen months was the phase-in period in Alexandria, where the City Council in May 2025 enacted the first prohibition on gas leaf-blowers in the commonwealth.
The City Council relied on a 2024 opinion by then-Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares that it had the power under its charter to enact it.
Miyares’ opinion expressed the general view that other localities could use noise-control ordinances to enact a limitation on leaf-blowers, “so long as it is reasonable.”
Official opinions by Virginia’s attorney general carry weight but do not have the force of law. Members of the General Assembly thus far have largely avoided taking action on the issue.
During the 2026 legislative session, Del. Rip Sullivan (D-6) patroned a bill allowing the commonwealth’s densely populated localities, including Arlington, the power to regulate gas-powered leaf-blowers, and to assess civil penalties against those who fail to comply.
Sullivan’s bill was held over for consideration in the 2027 session, when it will return to the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns.
Similar legislation patroned by Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D-37) was killed off in the Senate Committee on Local Government on an 11-4 vote.
