Breaking News: Rye City Council Considers Leaf Blower Ban & We Need Your Help!
On Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 7:00 p.m., the Rye City Council will hold a public hearing to consider legislation that would ban all gas-powered leaf blowers within the City of Rye for both homeowners and landscape contractors, while also severely limiting the use of battery-powered equipment.
The current makeup of the City Council is heavily leaning toward passing this total ban, making it critically important that residents attend and voice their opposition.
WHY THIS PROPOSED BAN MATTERS
If passed, this legislation will create a hardship for a majority of Rye homeowners and the landscape contractors who maintain their properties.
- Spring & fall cleanup costs are estimated to increase four to five times the current rates.
- The green industry is already facing a severe labor shortage, due to current federal immigration policy.
- Requiring cleanups to be performed primarily with battery-powered leaf blowers is unrealistic under current conditions & technology.
BATTERY TECHNOLOGY IS NOT READY FOR COMMERCIAL USE
At this time, commercial battery-powered leaf blowers cannot replace gas-powered equipment, especially during spring and fall cleanups when leaves and debris are wet, compacted, and heavy. Battery equipment lacks the sustained power, runtime, and efficiency required to perform full-day cleanups on larger residential properties in a timely and affordable manner.
UNEQUAL AND UNFAIR APPLICATION OF THE LAW
Despite the sweeping restrictions proposed for residents and contractors, City-owned properties, government agencies, and schools will remain exempt, as they have under past regulations. Once again, homeowners and small businesses are expected to comply while the City is not — the adage applies: “Do as I say, not as I do.”
A SMALL MINORITY SHOULD NOT DICTATE CITYWIDE POLICY
This legislation has been driven by a small but outspoken minority, yet its consequences would be felt by every homeowner in Rye. If passed, it will have a devastating impact on property maintenance costs, contractors, and the overall appearance of our community.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION — YOUR VOICE MATTERS
Attend the City Council Meeting: Rye City Hall, Wed, Jan 28, 2026 7:00 p.m.
• Speak during the public hearing
• Sign the attached petition to show opposition to this unfair legislation
Now is the time to be heard. Help stop unreasonable legislation and keep the landscapes of the City of Rye beautiful and well maintained.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
January 28, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
January 25, 2026
73 Comments
Thank you for the petition. The scope of the ban would lead to significant cost increases to residents due to added labor required to do the same scope of work. Electric alternatives are insufficient at this time due to their lower power and higher rate of equipment deterioration.
This is unfair burden with higher costs for those of us responsible for land that abuts sidewalks or for cleaning leaves caused by city trees or neighboring trees we don't own. The current ban is not enforced equally today.
I live in Greenhaven. I’ve fully electrified my home. The technology is not ready for this kind of deployment, and the result will be significant cost escalation for minimal benefit. I also work from home full time and have no noise concerns.
The fossil fuel use that creates the electricity we use is just as polluting or moreso than the actual use of oil and gas. The less efficiency of electric blowers will extend the labor and time required by landscapers, and therefore the "noisy" period of use. Restrict the hours but don't ban altogether. give a tax break to landscapers who switch??
We own a 1 acre property in Greenhaven, it would be impossible & costly to clean our property without the blowers & the cost on top of our high taxes would be astronomical!!
We need better laws or regulations Gas powered leaf blowers are essential in a every four season state.
There is too much pettiness and bureaucracy
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Breaking News: Rye City Council Considers Leaf Blower Ban & We Need Your Help!
On Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 7:00 p.m., the Rye City Council will hold a public hearing to consider legislation that would ban all gas-powered leaf blowers within the City of Rye for both homeowners and landscape contractors, while also severely limiting the use of battery-powered equipment.
The current makeup of the City Council is heavily leaning toward passing this total ban, making it critically important that residents attend and voice their opposition.
WHY THIS PROPOSED BAN MATTERS
If passed, this legislation will create a hardship for a majority of Rye homeowners and the landscape contractors who maintain their properties.
- Spring & fall cleanup costs are estimated to increase four to five times the current rates.
- The green industry is already facing a severe labor shortage, due to current federal immigration policy.
- Requiring cleanups to be performed primarily with battery-powered leaf blowers is unrealistic under current conditions & technology.
BATTERY TECHNOLOGY IS NOT READY FOR COMMERCIAL USE
At this time, commercial battery-powered leaf blowers cannot replace gas-powered equipment, especially during spring and fall cleanups when leaves and debris are wet, compacted, and heavy. Battery equipment lacks the sustained power, runtime, and efficiency required to perform full-day cleanups on larger residential properties in a timely and affordable manner.
UNEQUAL AND UNFAIR APPLICATION OF THE LAW
Despite the sweeping restrictions proposed for residents and contractors, City-owned properties, government agencies, and schools will remain exempt, as they have under past regulations. Once again, homeowners and small businesses are expected to comply while the City is not — the adage applies: “Do as I say, not as I do.”
A SMALL MINORITY SHOULD NOT DICTATE CITYWIDE POLICY
This legislation has been driven by a small but outspoken minority, yet its consequences would be felt by every homeowner in Rye. If passed, it will have a devastating impact on property maintenance costs, contractors, and the overall appearance of our community.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION — YOUR VOICE MATTERS
Attend the City Council Meeting: Rye City Hall, Wed, Jan 28, 2026 7:00 p.m.
• Speak during the public hearing
• Sign the attached petition to show opposition to this unfair legislation
Now is the time to be heard. Help stop unreasonable legislation and keep the landscapes of the City of Rye beautiful and well maintained.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
January 28, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
January 25, 2026
73 Comments
If the ban was proposed to stop noise, imagine how noisy clean up will be without gas leaf blowers since it will take hours to clean up a lawn. Another big problem is the no-more-than-one-piece-of-equipment-at-a-time rule. What, instead of 1/2 hr, they want a weekly lawn service to make noise all day long?
Thank you for the petition. The scope of the ban would lead to significant cost increases to residents due to added labor required to do the same scope of work. Electric alternatives are insufficient at this time due to their lower power and higher rate of equipment deterioration.
This is unfair burden with higher costs for those of us responsible for land that abuts sidewalks or for cleaning leaves caused by city trees or neighboring trees we don't own. The current ban is not enforced equally today.
I live in Greenhaven. I’ve fully electrified my home. The technology is not ready for this kind of deployment, and the result will be significant cost escalation for minimal benefit. I also work from home full time and have no noise concerns.
The fossil fuel use that creates the electricity we use is just as polluting or moreso than the actual use of oil and gas. The less efficiency of electric blowers will extend the labor and time required by landscapers, and therefore the "noisy" period of use. Restrict the hours but don't ban altogether. give a tax break to landscapers who switch??
We own a 1 acre property in Greenhaven, it would be impossible & costly to clean our property without the blowers & the cost on top of our high taxes would be astronomical!!
We need better laws or regulations Gas powered leaf blowers are essential in a every four season state.
There is too much pettiness and bureaucracy
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If the ban was proposed to stop noise, imagine how noisy clean up will be without gas leaf blowers since it will take hours to clean up a lawn. Another big problem is the no-more-than-one-piece-of-equipment-at-a-time rule. What, instead of 1/2 hr, they want a weekly lawn service to make noise all day long?