San Carlos gives air to leaf blower ban: Topic returns to the council months after city began rebate initiative to promote electric upgrades

“I heard an electric leaf blower, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, these are so much quieter,’” Rak said. “I don’t smell gas. They’re so much better for the environment.”

California banned the sale of gas powered leaf blowers, which went into effect January 2025, but there are no restrictions on already purchased blowers. The rebate program intended to move San Carlos residents and landscaping businesses away from their use.

The rebate program, enacted in March, grants residents up to $100 from the city to replace the blower. The city already considered passing its own ban on gas-powered leaf blowers in 2025 but opted to move forward with the financial incentive program.

Rak felt the issue was worth revisiting. Councilmember John Dugan agreed, citing the growing list of emails councilmembers have received from residents advocating for a ban.

“There’s definitely a call for us to look at this but I do understand and appreciate there are real enforcement concerns and issues,” Dugan said.

The enforcement concerns were the reason the City Council didn’t pursue a full ban previously. Enforcement costs money, and the city, like many others, are conservatively planning their future budgets, Councilmember Sara McDowell said.

“It’s always been my preference to govern this by incentive. Carrots instead of sticks,” McDowell said. “I feel like we should give the rebate program more time to work.”

Rak intended to place a ban on a future agenda, but councilmembers took a step back and agreed to hold a study session on the topic.

A handful of other cities in San Mateo County have recently banned gas-powered leaf blowers, including Burlingame, San Mateo and Millbrae, which staff could examine ahead of the study session.

“Let’s take a look at how that’s going,” Dugan said. “Is enforcement expensive? Is it difficult? Has it created tension or stress? And then, what are the benefits?”

A ban would help the city accomplish its goals outlined in its Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plan, which was adopted in 2021, and councilmembers received an update at Tuesday’s meeting.

“I think it will help our CMAP, help our environment and help those who struggle from air quality in our community, and I think it’s the right thing to do,” Rak said.

One of the city’s key strategies is to promote clean fuel construction and landscaping, which the electric leaf blower rebate program supports, Senior Management Analyst Akansha Chopra said.

There have been 57 applications to the rebate program so far, and the majority have been from residents, Chopra said. Applications are currently being processed, and any businesses operating in San Carlos that have taken advantage of the rebate program or use electric leaf blowers will be promoted on the city’s website.

A related strategy includes promoting regional energy conservation and efficiency programs “that give residents incentives to make energy efficiency upgrades in their homes,” Chopra said.

Other strategies include promoting rooftop solar installations at city-owned buildings, including the Adult Community Center, which has been operational since March, and an ongoing program at the City Library. It also includes emergency preparedness efforts, prioritizing transit-oriented development to reduce vehicle travel and improving infrastructure to promote alternative modes of pedestrian and public transportation.

San Carlos will begin updating its CMAP this summer and will be completed in early 2028 which will “help the city chart a path to carbon net neutrality by 2045,” Chopra said.