Some Council Members Seeking Debate on Leaf-Blower Regulation

Some City Council members, declaring leaf-blower machines to be potential nuisances, are calling for a debate at next week’s meeting on whether to regulate the devices.

The proposal would limit operating hours of leaf blowers from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.

The issue came up in October, when Councilwoman Eva Miner Bradford said residents had complained to her about leaf-blower noise. Bradford asked the city staff to study the situation.

In a report to the council in January, Tami K. Piscotty, the city staff’s senior management assistant, said that 15 other cities in Orange County regulate leaf blowers. She said typical rules govern noise levels and hours of operation.

Piscotty said this week that the ordinance proposed for La Palma would forbid leaf blowers from having a noise level above 70 decibels.

“Most manufacturers now produce leaf blowers which operate at or below 70 decibels,” Piscotty said. “Seventy decibels is believed to be a noise level that is safe to the ear and allows two people to hold a conversation while standing near a leaf blower operating at this level.”

The city staff could use a decibel-measuring device to enforce the proposed noise level, Piscotty said.

Councilman Paul F. Walker has been an outspoken advocate of regulating leaf blowers. Noise from the machines is “one of my pet peeves,” he said.

The council will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 7822 Walker St. Information: (714) 523-7700, Ext. 113.