Board authorizes public hearing to consider ban on gas‑powered leaf blowers

Arlington County’s Board on June 13 authorized advertisement of a public hearing to consider an ordinance that would prohibit operation of gas‑powered leaf blowers and gas‑powered leaf vacuums at any time. The resolution directs advertising of a hearing no sooner than the July 18, 2026 County Board meeting and includes an alternative effective date of January 18, 2028 for the ordinance if adopted (SEG 800–805, 808–812).

The proposed ordinance would recodify Chapter 15 (Noise Control) to define "gas‑powered leaf blower" and to add blanket prohibitions on operation of gas‑powered leaf blowers and vacuums; it also revises nighttime noise definitions and other noise restrictions more broadly, and was authorized for advertisement after a public hearing in which members of the public spoke for and against expanded noise controls (SEG 800–861). The Board moved to authorize advertisement on a motion by Matt de Ferranti, seconded by Takis Karantonis, and the motion passed 5‑0.

The June 13 action does not adopt the ban; it authorizes public notice and a future public hearing. That hearing will allow the Board to receive formal testimony and consider written materials before deciding whether to adopt the ordinance on a later date.