Committee amends, continues wide‑ranging ordinance to phase out gas‑powered landscaping equipment

The Budget & Finance Committee on April 27 took up and amended a broad ordinance sponsored by Supervisor Myrna Melgar to phase out gas‑powered landscaping equipment across San Francisco.

Melgar described the measure as both an environmental and labor‑health bill that would transition city operations away from small internal combustion landscaping equipment and create a buyback fund for private owners and small businesses. "This piece of legislation ... is meant to transition us away from dirty, polluting, gas equipment into more sustainable, cleaner, quieter electric equipment that protects the health of the workers," Melgar said.

Tyrone Joo, director of the Department of the Environment (DOE), presented slides underscoring health and noise concerns: the department stated one hour of lawn‑mower operation was comparable to driving roughly 300 miles, and one hour of leaf‑blower operation comparable to about 1,100 miles of driving in pollutant output. Joo described a phased approach: city use first (proposed 01/01/2024 with departmental waivers where replacement technology is unavailable), and a citywide prohibition beginning 01/01/2026, with waivers for documented technical or infrastructure constraints and a fund to support buybacks and outreach.

The Budget and Legislative Analyst (BLA) walked through cost estimates, reporting that converting city department fleets could cost an estimated $16.5 million (equipment, batteries and chargers) and that industry transition costs could range from $2.4 million to $10.4 million, depending on assumptions. The BLA recommended clarifying the ordinance's waiver threshold because the draft's initial waiver language would limit the measure's effect on departments; supervisors and staff discussed raising the waiver threshold and aligning definitions with the California Air Resources Board's small off‑road engine program.

Recreation & Parks Superintendent Eric Anderson said the department has trialed electric equipment with mixed results and stressed that many larger or specialty items do not yet have comparable electric replacements. The Mayor’s Budget Director said the proposal is not yet reflected in the City's four‑year financial projections and the Administration would need time to work with departments to program costs.

During public comment, dozens of speakers—conservation and climate groups, residents, and some recreation and golf constituencies—expressed support for the ordinance's environmental and worker‑health goals while urging adequate funding for buyback and careful phasing to avoid harming small landscaping businesses. Golf course and parks representatives said some equipment lacks functional electric equivalents for heavy commercial uses.

After extensive discussion and multiple technical amendments to clarify waiver rules, align definitions with state CARB rules and add reporting requirements, the Committee voted to adopt the sponsor's amendments and continue the item to May 4 to allow DOE, Rec & Park, the Mayor’s Office, and BLA to produce additional implementation details (three ayes).