Leaf Blower Regulations
The use of gas-powered leaf blowers in Oak Park will be permanently prohibited starting June 1, 2025.
The Village's Code Compliance Division is planning strict year-round enforcement of the local ordinance, and both property owners and landscape companies will be held accountable if the ordinance is violated.
The permanent ban on gas-powered leaf blowers is the culmination of action taken by the Village Board in 2023 to adopt Ordinance 8-41-4 phasing out the use of gas-powered leaf blowers with the goal of reducing the environmental impacts and harmful emissions associated with the devices.
If you witness someone using a gas-powered leaf blower, please email propertyissues@oak-park.us and provide the address where it was being used. The Neighborhood Services Department’s Code Compliance Division will then follow up with the property owner to ensure future compliance.
Village officials are engaging with landscape companies licensed to operate in Oak Park to ensure they are prepared for the permanent ban to take effect. Residents can help with that engagement by talking with their landscapers about how gas-powered leaf blowers will soon be prohibited.
The use of electric leaf blowers remains permitted year-round between the following hours:
- 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday
Prohibited: The use of any leaf blower in excess of more than sixty-five decibels (65 dB) as rated by a manufacturer’s specifications (Village Code 17-1-30 H).
Village code requires contractors who perform lawn maintenance/landscape work in Oak Park to register with the Village. No permit will be issued for work to be performed until the contractor has registered in accordance with Village code. Landscape companies that register now will not have to pay the $50 registration fee that will take effect starting June 1, 2025.
Contractor registration can be completed online at www.oak-park.us/villageview or by contacting permits@oak-park.us. A separate license is required for contractors operating a brick-and-mortar landscaping business (including homebased businesses). License information can be obtained at business@oak-park.us.
Why is use of gas-powered leaf blowers being prohibited?
Sustainable landscaping and lawn maintenance practices are an important step that the community can take to reach its Climate Ready Oak Park goals of protecting biodiversity and community health. Among those commitments is the need to decrease community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030, and to achieve net zero by 2050. More information is available at www.oak-park.us/climateready.
What health impacts do gas-powered leaf blowers have on the community?
The Environmental Protection Agency has shown that leaf blowers and other gas-powered lawn equipment expose workers and the public to high levels of toxic and carcinogenic emissions such as, benzene, butadiene, formaldehyde and fine particulates. Children and the elderly are more vulnerable to the dust and toxic emissions created by gas-powered blowers. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Center of Disease Control (CDC) both reported on the dangerous health risks associated with exposure to these types of emissions. Some of the risks include cancer, lung disease, respiratory illnesses and dementia.
When does the ban on gas-powered leaf blowers go into effect?
No gas-powered leaf blower shall be permitted to be operated in the Village of Oak Park on or after June 1, 2025. The use of portable gas-powered generators to power electric leaf blowers, or to recharge batteries utilized by leaf blowers, will also be prohibited.
To whom does the ban of gas-powered leaf blowers apply?
The ordinance is applicable to all Oak Park residents, building owners, lawn maintenance and landscaping contractors.
What are the requirements for a lawn maintenance/landscaping business?
Lawn maintenance and landscaping contractors who perform work in Oak Park are required to register with the Village. Contractors shall not be subject to the annual registration fee of $50 until June 1, 2025 and annually thereafter. Should a contractor operate a business within the Village boundaries, including a home-based business, then a business license shall also be required.
Are there exemptions to this ordinance?
The use gas-powered leaf blowers is permitted at the direction of Police or Fire personnel for the purpose of responding to an emergency in order to restore, protect, preserve or save lives or property from imminent danger of loss or harm; or to clear fallen debris in order to provide emergency clearance for public safety.
How do I submit a complaint about leaf blower noise or other issues?
The Village’s Neighborhood Services staff oversee enforcement of the leaf blower ordinance. The Code Compliance Division can be reached at 708.358.5410 or propertyissues@oak-park.us .
Complaints about leaf blower noise can be submitted through the Village's web portal for property-related complaints: villageview.oak-park.us/CityViewPortal.
To submit a complaint:
- Select "Property Complaints"
- Select "Submit a New Complaint"
- Select "Property Conditions / Standards" - Choose Commercial or Residential according to the building type
- Enter the requested information
