Noise In The News: Weekly Round-Up

by Quiet Communities Staff

Photo credit: Andrea Piacquadio

Pennsylvania town enacts seasonal gas-powered leaf blower restriction

Lower Merion, Pennsylvania’s seasonal gas-powered leaf blower restriction took effect June 1 and runs through October 1. The Board of Commissioners passed the ordinance last fall as part of a phased approach, with restrictions expanding in 2027 and 2028 ahead of a permanent, year-round ban in 2029. 

Alexandria, Virginia prepares for  leaf blower ban

In Alexandria, Virginia, city staff recently held a community meeting to walk residents and landscapers through what to expect when its leaf blower ban takes effect on November 17. The city council adopted the ordinance in May 2025 with an 18-month phase-out period and it completed its own transition to all-electric equipment this spring. In the future, enforcement will grow with each violation, starting with a written warning and escalating to civil fines of $100 to $500 per incident.