With spring weather on the way, the City of Evanston is reminding residents of updated restrictions regarding the use of leaf blowers.

After April 1, 2023, only electric-powered leaf blowers will be allowed for use in Evanston and will be limited to the following hours:

-Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

-Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.

Electric-powered leaf blowers can be used year-round, with the exception of City holidays.

The use of gasoline- and propane-powered leaf blowers will be prohibited year-round after April 1, 2023. (Currently, the use of gasoline- and propane-powered leaf blowers is prohibited seasonally through March 29.)

In November 2021, the Evanston City Council approved updates to the City’s leaf blower ordinance to address community concerns about air pollution, noise pollution, and other environmental impacts. The City’s Climate Action & Resilience Plan, adopted in 2018, calls for phasing out gas- and propane-powered leaf blowers.

Additional leaf blower reminders 

The City reminds community members and landscapers of additional restrictions regarding the use of leaf blowers:

-Using a leaf blower of any kind to spray pesticides is prohibited

-Charging an electric leaf blower with a portable generator is prohibited

-Raking or blowing leaves into the streets is illegal, and can block sewers and cause flooding Any person who uses a leaf blower or permits the private or commercial use of a leaf blower on their property in violation of the City’s leaf blower ordinance is subject to fines.

Grants available to assist landscaping companies

Evanston-based landscaping companies registered with the City may be eligible for grants of up to $3,000 to assist with the purchase of electric-powered leaf blowers through the City’s Entrepreneurship Support Grant program.

Landscaping company registration

Community members and organizations who use a landscaping company are encouraged to check to make sure their company is registered with the City by visiting cityofevanston.org/leafblower. All landscaping contractors operating in Evanston must be registered with the City.