County leaders are seeking public input on how long a transition period to allow if Arlington ends up phasing out gas-powered leaf blowers.
Nationwide, most jurisdictions that have imposed bans on gas-powered blowers have provided an interim period to educate the public and to allow professional firms and homeowners to acquire the correct equipment.
How long that should be in Arlington is part of a new online survey, which will remain open until Wednesday, Oct. 29.
“We’re asking the public to give us feedback,” said Jennifer Fioretti, the assistant county manager for climate policy.
Fioretti briefed the Climate Change, Energy and Environment Commission on the proposal on Sept. 29, finding general agreement with the concept of a future ban on gas-powered blowers.
A phase-out period “really just gives time for both residents and businesses … to make that transition, to adjust,” she told commission members. “Does 18 months sound right? Twenty-four months? Thirty-six months? Or something else?”
The presentation came out of direction by County Board members in mid-September to begin an outreach effort. While that’s no guarantee a ban ultimately will be enacted, it seems to suggest Board interest in doing so.
At the commission meeting, Fioretti ran through several of arguments in favor of making the switch away from gas-powered blowers, focusing on noise pollution and overall environmental pollution.
The presentation also acknowledged challenges with switching, including financial implications, battery limitations and concerns about the safety and environmental impacts of the lithium-ion batteries in electric leaf blowers.
If a ban on gas-power blowers is enacted, Arlington would become the fourth jurisdiction in the region to have one.
D.C. enacted a ban in 2022 and Montgomery County did the same earlier this year. Also this year, the Alexandria City Council approved a ban that takes effect in late 2026.
Currently, Arlington regulates leaf-blower activity through its noise ordinance, which restricts private use of motorized leaf-blowing equipment in residential areas at night. Those found in violation face fines of $250 to $500.
Moving to an outright prohibition has the support of environmental groups including Eco-Action Arlington.
Earlier this year, the county government transitioned its own inventory of gas-powered handheld landscape equipment to electric-powered equipment.
