LEAF/LAWN BLOWER NOISE

DISCUSSION

City Council MeetingApril 4, 2018

Summary of City Council Request – March 7, 2018City Council agreed to schedule a discussion concerning the use of leaf/lawn blowers for a future meeting to include the following:

1. Noise generated by leaf blower – Battery –v- Gasoline powered equipment.2. Options for using leaf vacuums as an alternative to blowers, including battery

powered equipment.3. Cost of battery powered leaf blowers. 4. Operational time for new generations of battery powered equipment.5. Potential cost increases to residents for lawn services should City Council

make changes to the lawn maintenance Noise Ordinance. 6. Other potential adverse effects generated by potential changes to the

Ordinance.

1. Current Naples City Ordinance2. Previous Discussions by City Council and CSAB3. Available Options For Equipment and Best Management Practices

a) Blowersb) Vacuums

4. Cost – City Services – Blowers –v- Vacuums5. Noise Levels6. Equipment Cost7. Other Cities8. Discussion

Presentation - Focus on Answering Council Questions

Leaf Blower, Lawn Blower, Yard Blower, Sand Blower, Construction Site Blower, Puddle Reducing Blower, Trash Blower,

Etc. – Multi-Purpose Use

Leaf Blower, Lawn Blower, Yard Blower, Etc.Multi-Purpose Use

City of Naples Code – Section 22-37 - NoiseDefinition: Noise, or noise disturbance, means any sound that: (1) Exceeds the maximum permitted sound levels set out in Table 1 of this

section; or

(2) Is loud and raucous so as to unreasonably disturb, injure or endanger the comfort, repose, health, peace, tranquility or safety of reasonable persons of ordinary sensibilities;

(3) Constitutes a breach of the peace or a public nuisance; (4) Is plainly audible at a distance of 25 feet or more from the property line; (5) With respect to vehicles and vessels, is plainly audible at a distance of 25

feet from the noise source.

Sec. 22-37. Noise.(b) Lawn maintenance.

1) Permitted days and hours of operation for lawn maintenance, tree trimming and tree removal. Lawn maintenance activities, tree trimming activities, and tree removal activities may be conducted only during the following hours, Monday through Sunday except New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day:

a. Monday through Friday hours of operation:1. In residential areas: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.2. In nonresidential areas: 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

b. Saturday hours of operation:1. In residential areas: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.2. Nonresidential areas: 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

c. Sunday hours of operation:1. Lawn maintenance activities in residential and nonresidential areas may occur on Sunday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.2. Tree trimming or tree removal shall not occur on Sunday in residential or nonresidential areas unless a special permit is obtained in accordance with this subsection.

City of Naples Code – Section 22-37 - Noise

City of Naples Code – Section 22-37 – NoisePrevious Discussions

January-March 2008 – At the direction of City Council, the CSAB reviewed the Noise Ordinance and recommended change the hours of operation for lawn maintenance to Monday-Saturday between the hours of 8 am – 6 pm and on Sunday by special permit only. Council received the information on March 5, 2008 and decided not to make any changes to the Ordinance. (minutes included in packet)

City of Naples Code – Section 22-37 – NoisePrevious Discussions

December 8, 2015 – The CASB established formal positions on two items related to Leaf Blowers:

1. Lawn Blowers – Recommend to City Council that the current ordinance Section 22-35 be retained as it applies to the removal of lawn clippings from the streets and gutters (use of lawn blowers –vs- lawn vacuums).

a) Staff was to present this information in April 2016 however City Council was informed of the recommendation and Presidents’ Council recommendation and no action was taken.

2. Add Easter Sunday to holidays when lawn maintenance cannot take place. (City Council approved this recommendation)

City of Naples Code – Section 22-37 – NoisePrevious Discussions

March 28, 2016 – The Presidents’ Council stated they saw no need to change the ordinance as it relates to lawn blowers –vs- lawn vacuums, but did express concerns about noise levels generated by lawn care equipment.

Lawn Blower Type and Uses

Gas or electric Handheld and Backpack styles Primary use to remove debris by mechanical “forced air

blowing” to another location Used by residential property owners and landscape

professionals Efficient means to remove debris from sidewalks, roadways,

driveways and parking lots

Lawn Blowers – Benefits and Concerns Benefits

Versatile Thorough and Efficient Saves Maintenance Time Reduces Labor Time and Cost Affordable (Relatively)

Concerns Sound (65dB -75dB)

Noise level Sound quality

Generate emissions Generates dust and

particulate Number used at the

same time; time of day used

Negatively affects hearing

Conditions To Avoid

Leaf Blowers – Proper Use

Leaf Blowers – Improper Use

Lawn Mowers – City Contractors Mechanical mowers utilized by vendors currently contracted

by the City are required by contract to utilize a mulching deck that is environmentally acceptable and macerates clippings, minimizes overspill into roadways and results in acceleration of decomposition of grass clippings left on site.

Contractors utilized by the City do not use lawn mower equipment baggers.

Lawn Blowers – City Contractors All contractors employed by the City’s Parks and Parkways

Division, as well as the majority, if not all of the licensed and privately employed lawn service contractors employ the use of gasoline powered lawn blowers, as opposed to lawn vacuums or hand sweeping of debris.

This is primarily due to ease of use, reduced equipment needs, labor cost, and time & expediency of task completion.

Lawn Blowers – FL DEP According to the DEP – Florida Friendly Best Management

Practices for Protection of Water Resources in Florida by the Green Industries, published in 2010 – Chapter 4; Mulching, Mowing and Pruning, the DEP’s Best Management Practice encourages individuals to retain grass clippings on site.

Remove grass clippings, leaves or other debris from storm gutters to reduce potential for debris to enter storm sewer

Don Rainey – University of Florida – Florida Friendly Landscaping Program – Statewide GI-BMP Program CoordinatorDr. Mike Thomas – DEP – Nonpoint Source Management Program - Engineer

Lawn Blower Alternatives

Vacuum – Gasoline or Electric Reduces dust and particulate matter Removes debris from site Sound (Up to 92dB) – Potentially louder than mechanical

blowers Noise level & sound quality

Generates emissions Debris must be removed from property – disposal costs –

environmental impacts

Lawn Blower Alternatives Sweeping (Hand Broom and Removal – Removal is not

recommended) Reduces dust and particulate matter Inefficient – increased maintenance time and labor

cost Minimal noise Labor intensive Removal of wet debris impractical Vendor/Traffic conflicts Sweeping material onto medians not possible – height

differential

Vacuum Examples

Potential Impacts of Requiring Vacuums –v- Blowers A citywide mandate for vacuums will require all current City and

private contractors to purchase new and additional equipment, trucks, may result in additional labor and cost (providing additional labor resources are available), will require frequent canister emptying, will pick up loose rock, mulch, non-grass debris and water along with grass clippings requiring additional carrying capacity and disposal, storage, material transfer, dumping and tipping fees.

Increased horticultural landfill debris disposal is not supported from an environmental perspective (DEP).

Lawn Vacuum – FL DEP The removal of grass clippings from a service site would be

in conflict with the DEP’s recommended Best Management Practices.

Contractors utilized by the City are required, when using blowers, to blow the clippings from the street onto grassed medians, open space or appropriate rights-of-ways wherein the soil becomes the ultimate beneficiary.

SH 86 C-E Specifications - Professional Use DISPLACEMENT 27.2 cc (1.66 cu. in.) ENGINE POWER 0.8 kW (1.07 bhp) WEIGHT 5.6 kg (12.3 lbs.) FUEL CAPACITY 440 cc (14.9 oz.) BLOWING FORCE* 15 Newtons AVG. AIR VELOCITY** 63 m/sec. (141 mph) MAX. AIR VELOCITY** 76 m/sec. (169 mph) AIR VOLUME AT NOZZLE** 756 m3/h (444 cfm) SOUND PRESSURE RATING** 70 dB(A) BAG CAPACITY 1.5 cu. ft. = 1.2 bushel or 11 gallonsPOWER SOURCE Gas

**Tested in accordance with ANSI 175.2 standard1.5 cubic feet = 11 gallons

Engine Brand Briggs

Displacement (cc) 190

Bag Volume (gal) 40 - 50

Bag Mesh w/dust skirt (Part # 891132)

CFM 1700.0

Self Propelled Yes

Weight (lbs) 129

Length (in) 62

Width (in) 26.75

Decibels 90-92

Cost $1,700 - $2,500

Billy Goat - KV Multi-Surface Residential / Light Commercial

SERVICE COST PER YEAR

Landscape Maintenance with Leaf Blower $809,536

Vacuum$1,944,545(Current Vendor Estimate)

Change (Increase) $1,135,009

Note – pricing could be lower for vacuum operations if this were to be bid

City Landscape Cost Comparison - 2016

A citywide mandate for hand sweeping of debris and lawn clippings will likely increase labor requirements and costs.

Sweeping and collection of debris is more labor intensive and clients could see an increase in fees.

Potential Impacts of Requiring Hand Sweeping–v- Blowers

HAAGA Sweeper aSOUND PRESSURE RATING** 65 dB(A) BAG CAPACITY 13.5 gallons (and lower)POWER SOURCE Rechargeable BatteryCOST $1,900-$2,000

Naples - Landscape Equipment Sound Level Testing – 12/5/16 - Decibels

Ambient Noise 55

Equipment Tested Make/Model Idle Operating

Speed Manufacturer Purchase Year Owner

Leaf Blower Stihl / BR-420C 65 79 73 CityLeaf Blower Stihl / BR-600 60 84 75 CityChain Saw Stihl 65 82 City

Mower Exmark / LZX940AKC606T0 80 2015 Contractor

Blower Shindaiwa / EB854RT 60 85 75 2015 ContractorWeed

Trimmer 60 81 2015 Contractor

Edger 60 79 2015 Contractor

City of Naples Code – Equipment Testing - 2016

Equipment Decibel @ 50’ Decibel @ 10’ ManufacturerStihl – Hand Held – Gas Blower 71 db 89 db 70 dbStihl – Back Pack – Gas Blower 73 db 87 db 77 dbStihl – Back Pack – Gas Blower w/Silencer

71 db 80 db 65 db

Stihl – Hand Held – Rechargeable Battery

64 db 80 db 64 db

EGO – Back Pack – Rechargeable Battery

62 db 79 db 64 db

Stihl – Hand Held – Gas Vacuum 70 dbBilly Goat – Walk Behind – Gas Vacuum 90 dbAmbient Noise – 55 db

City of Naples Code – Equipment Testing - 2018

Equipment Costs

Equipment Cost Operation Time CapacityStihl – Hand Held – Gas Blower $215 45 minutes/tankStihl – Back Pack – Gas Blower $330 60 minutes/tankStihl – Back Pack – Gas Blower w/Silencer $410 60 minutes/tankStihl – Hand Held – Rechargeable Battery $380 60 minutes/tankStihl – Back Pack – Rechargeable Battery $1,145 45 minutes/chargeEGO – Back Pack – Rechargeable Battery $449 30 minutes/chargeStihl – Hand Held – Gas Vacuum $217 45 minutes/tank 11GalBilly Goat – Walk Behind – Gas Vacuum $1,700 - $2,500 40-50 GalHAAG – Walk Behind – Electric Sweeper $1,900 - $2,000 13.5 Gal

Leaf Blower Restrictions

Cities nationwide have banned gasoline blowers or restricting days/time of use: Palm Beach, FL Coral Gables FL Berkley, CA Newport Beach CA Malibu, CA Palo Alto CA Aspen CO

Staff provided City Council with a link to HD Supply Solutions website which provides a dropdown menu by State to explore. https://hdsupplysolutions.com/shop/static--leaf_blower_noise_regulation

• Sec. 42-197. - Specific acts prohibited. (Passed April 2017, enacted October 2017)

The following acts shall be unlawful whether or not such acts constitute a violation of section 42-196:

(12) Gasoline powered leaf blowers.

(a)Definition. Leaf blowers shall mean any air blowing machine that uses a concentrated stream of air to push, propel or blow dirt, dust, leaves, grass clippings, trimmings, cuttings, refuse or debris.

(b) The use of gasoline powered leaf blowers is prohibited on any property within the town which is less than one acre in size. This prohibition shall be effective as of October 1, 2017.

City of Palm Beach, FL – Gasoline Leaf Blower Ban

City of Palm Beach, FL – Hours of Construction Work

- Beginning on the Monday preceding Thanksgiving, and during the months of December, January, February, March, and April of each year, construction work not otherwise prohibited by Section 42-198 or other work resulting in noise tending to disturb the people. in the vicinity thereof shall not begin until the hour of 8:00 a.m., and .shall cease at the hour of 5:00 p.m.

• On Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays all construction work is prohibited.

- In no event shall heavy equipment or other construction-related noise be permitted before 9:00 a.m.

- At all other times such work may commence at 8:00 a.m. and cease at the hour of 6:00 p.m., except Saturdays, Sunday§ and legal holidays, including the Friday immediately after Thanksgiving, when all construction work is restricted or prohibited.

Sec. 42-199. - Hours for construction work. (Revised January 2018)

City of Palm Beach, FL – Lawn MaintenanceSec. 42-230. - Lawn maintenance equipment noise. (Revised January 2018)

- Lawn maintenance in the town shall be limited to the hours outlined for construction work at Section 42-199 and leaf blowers shall be subject to the same restrictions as heavy equipment as described in said section.

- Nothing in this section shall preclude the operation of lawn maintenance equipment by residents after 9:00 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays or legal holidays, including the Friday immediately after Thanksgiving.

• Golf course maintenance equipment within the town is not restricted during the hours outlined for construction work at section 42-199; however, such golf course maintenance equipment shall not be used before 8:00 a.m. or after 5:30 p.m. on any day at locations within 300 feet of residential properties, except in the event of valid emergencies and once per month for purposes of chemical spraying or fertilizing.

• The sound level meter measurement shall be no greater than 75 dBA measured 50 feet from the point of operation of the equipment. The sound level meter measurement shall not be applicable to lawn maintenance equipment used on golf courses.

• Lawn maintenance equipment includes but is not limited to lawn mowers, edgers, hedge trimmers, yard tractors, leaf blowers, lawn vacuum machines, and monofilament line grass trimmers.

City of Palm Beach, FL – Lawn MaintenanceSec. 42-230. - Lawn maintenance equipment noise. (Revised January 2018)

- Leaf blowers shall not exceed a decibel level of 65 d BA as measured at 50 feet from the point of operation. It shall be unlawful to blow, sweep or rake yard trash or clippings into the public street or storm drains.

- There shall be no commencement of large scale landscape installation at any time on Saturdays.

City of Santa Monica, CA – Leaf Blower Ban

City of Santa Monica, CA – Leaf Blower Facts

No person shall engage in any gardening or landscaping activity by use of any internal combustion, motorized or electromechanical means during the following times anywhere in the City:

(1) Before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m. on Monday through Friday, except that gardening or landscaping activities conducted by employees of the City of Santa Monica or public utilities shall not occur before 7 a.m. or after 8 p.m. on Monday through Friday;

(2) Before 9 a.m. or after 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, or on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King’s Birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, as those days have been established by the United States of America.

(b) A permit may be issued authorizing gardening or landscaping activity during the times prohibited by this Section whenever it is found to be in the public interest.

City of Santa Monica, CA – Landscaping Activities

Municipal Challenges

Some cities implementing mechanical blower bans see enforcement as the number one challenge.

Some cities implementing ordinances prohibiting mechanical blower bans: Reversed their decision due to resource limitations of staffing and

funding availability. Chose to ignore routine enforcement of prohibitions. View the ban a success.

Items for Consideration/Discussion Retain current Ordinance – permit blower use within established

days/times.

Amend Ordinance to restrict types of equipment that can be used (will require additional staff research and public input)

Amend Ordinance to restrict days/times when lawn maintenance services can be performed. (will require additional staff research and public input)

Provide staff with goals concerning this matter and direction for proceeding

Discussion/Questions