Mayor shares plan for gas-powered equipment

San Rafael officials acknowledge that many in our community are greatly concerned about gas-powered leaf blowers due to the adverse effects on the environment and/or the noise. In response, over the past six months, we have been working on updating our leaf blower policy to best address the needs of our residents and the businesses that operate in the city.

San Rafael leaders are committed to reducing emissions as outlined in our 2030 climate change action plan. We support the state's ban on the sale of new small gas-powered off-road engines, including leaf blowers, by 2024. While the City Council is exploring a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, we also want to ensure that a new policy does not negatively affect those making a livelihood operating these tools.

Through feedback from local businesses, research on best practices and input from city maintenance staff, we have crafted recommendations that are now open for public comment and we'd love to hear from you.

Current recommendations include limiting the time leaf blowers can be operated and a phased approach to banning gas-powered leaf blowers.

To learn more about our proposed policy changes and provide feedback, please visit tinyurl.com/ycykb75t.

We are gathering public input throughout the month of May. Your feedback is valuable to our process and I want to encourage you to participate.

We are taking resident feedback seriously to craft the best possible regulations for San Rafael.

— Kate Colin, San Rafael mayor