Advisory Notice - Leaf Blowers

The following is an advisory notice from the Cambridge License Commission regarding leaf blower operations in the City of Cambridge.  This is meant to provide general guidance as to the City’s restrictions on the use of leaf blowers.  It is not all-encompassing and does not address all of the laws and rules and regulations governing the use of leaf blowers. Persons or entities wishing to use leaf blowers should consult the City’s Noise Control Ordinance for more complete information.

In the City of Cambridge, the use of leaf blowers is regulated by the Noise Control Ordinance, which is set forth in Section 8.16.081 of the Municipal Code. Generally, the use of commercial leaf blowers is prohibited.  Commercial leaf blower operators must obtain an exemption from this prohibition from the License Commission to be able to operate leaf blowers in the City of Cambridge.

All persons, permitted entities and city contractors using leaf blowers in the City of Cambridge must comply with the following limitations on the use of leaf blowers:

1. Leaf blowers can only be used from March 15 through June 15, and from September 15 through December 31 of each and any year. These restrictions do not apply to municipal contractors working at Danehy Park, Fresh Pond Reservation, O’Neil, Jr. Municipal Golf Course, Cambridge Municipal Cemetery, Old Burial Ground, or after a natural disaster, and may not apply to certain other properly exempted operators using leaf blowers on two acres of land or more;
2. Leaf blowers can only be used Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except that these restrictions do not apply to municipal contractors working at Danehy Park, Fresh Pond Reservation, O’Neil, Jr. Municipal Golf Course, Cambridge Municipal Cemetery, Old Burial Ground, or after a natural disaster, and may not apply to certain other properly exempted operators using leaf blowers on two acres of land or more;
3. Non-commercial operators can operate on Indigenous Peoples Day and Veterans’ Day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (unless exempted);
4. Commercial operators can operate on Indigenous Peoples Day from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Veterans’ Day from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (unless exempted);
5. Leaf blowers cannot be used on Sundays or any other legal holiday, except Indigenous Peoples Day or Veterans’ Day (subject to the limitations described above);
6. Multiple leaf blowers can only be used on parcels of land that are 10,000 square feet or larger, and only one leaf blower may be used within each 10,000 square foot area;
7. Leaf blowers cannot be used in a way that transfers matter to another parcel of land, public way, person or pet;
8. Only leaf blowers that emit noise no greater than 65 decibels as rated by the manufacturer may be used.

The City’s Noise Control Ordinance can be read at: www.municode.com/library/ma/cambridge/codes/code_of_ordinances.

Violations or complaints can be reported by: (1) calling the License Commission at 617-349-6149; (2) calling the Police Department at 617-349-3300; or (3) emailing License@cambridgema.gov.

Related Documents

• 2016 List of Approved Leaf Blower Operators