Can you still use a gas leaf blower you already own in California?

Yes. The California law addresses the sale and manufacture of new equipment, not ownership or use, so a gas leaf blower you already own remains legal to use under state law — there is no statewide ban on operating one. The important caveat is local ordinances: many California cities separately restrict or ban the use of gas leaf blowers within city limits or near homes, and those rules do apply to equipment you already own. Check your city's rules, because the strictest restriction that applies to you is the local one.

AB 1346 is the 2021 California law that directed the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to phase out new small off-road engines (SORE) — the class that includes leaf blowers, lawnmowers and other gas-powered lawn and garden equipment. Under the resulting CARB regulation, most newly manufactured SORE equipment must be zero-emission starting with model year 2024. It is a sales-and-manufacturing rule aimed at emissions from small gas engines, which CARB notes can pollute disproportionately to their size, not a rule that penalizes people for owning existing equipment.

Can you still buy a gas leaf blower in California?

New gas leaf blowers are no longer sold as newly manufactured equipment under the CARB small off-road engine rule, which required zero-emission for most new SORE from model year 2024. In practice this pushes buyers toward battery-electric models. Existing inventory, used equipment, and out-of-state purchases exist in a grayer area, but the retail trend since 2024 is decisively toward battery blowers. If you are shopping in California, expect the new-equipment options to be electric.

Which California cities ban gas leaf blowers?

Many, and they predate the state law. Numerous California cities have long-standing local ordinances restricting or banning gas leaf blower use — Los Angeles has restricted gas leaf blowers near residences for decades, and cities such as Pasadena and South Pasadena have their own leaf-blower ordinances. These local rules vary widely in what they prohibit (some ban gas blowers outright, some limit hours or distance from homes) and they apply to use, including equipment you already own. Always check your specific city's municipal code.

Are gas leaf blowers being banned in other states too?

The trend is spreading, mostly at the city level rather than statewide. A growing number of US municipalities across many states have adopted or proposed restrictions on gas leaf blowers, driven by concerns over emissions and noise, and some restrict use seasonally or near residences. California's statewide sales phase-out is the most sweeping to date, but it is one instance of a broader movement. If you live elsewhere and are buying new, battery-electric equipment is the safer long-term bet as more local rules take effect.

Are Gas Leaf Blowers Banned in California? (2026 Rules)

Written & researched by Elena Marsh Gardening & Landscaping Editor

Updated October 2026

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No — California has not banned owning or using gas leaf blowers statewide, but a 2021 law effectively ended the sale of new ones. Under Assembly Bill 1346, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) required most newly manufactured small off-road engines (SORE) — the class that includes leaf blowers — to be zero-emission starting with model year 2024. That is a rule on selling and manufacturing new equipment, not on using a blower you already own. Separately, many California cities have their own ordinances that do restrict or ban the use of gas leaf blowers locally, so the strictest rule you face is usually the municipal one.

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What does the state law actually do?

AB 1346, signed in 2021, directed CARB to phase out new small off-road engines, and the resulting regulation requires most newly manufactured SORE equipment to be zero-emission from model year 2024. The target is emissions: CARB has noted that small gas engines can produce a surprising share of smog-forming pollution relative to their size, which is the rationale for moving the whole equipment class to battery-electric. Crucially, the rule governs what can be newly made and sold, not what individuals may own or operate. Nothing in the state measure makes it illegal to keep using a gas blower you already have.

Wide view of a person clearing autumn leaves from a driveway with a blower, in soft early-morning light

Ownership versus sale versus use

The confusion around this question comes from mixing up three different things the rules treat separately. Here is how they line up as of 2026:

Action	Status in California
Selling new gas leaf blowers	Phased out — most new SORE must be zero-emission (model year 2024, CARB / AB 1346)
Owning a gas leaf blower	Legal — no statewide ban
Using a gas leaf blower	Legal statewide, but often restricted or banned by city ordinance

Wide view of a person clearing autumn leaves from a driveway with a blower, in bright midday sun

Why local rules matter more for users

For someone who already owns a gas blower, the city ordinance is the rule that actually bites. Many California cities restricted gas leaf blowers long before the state law existed — Los Angeles has limited their use near homes for decades, and cities including Pasadena and South Pasadena maintain their own leaf-blower ordinances. These vary widely: some ban gas blowers outright, others limit the hours you can run one or how close to a residence, and they apply to use, meaning your existing equipment is covered. Because the specifics are set locally, check your own city's municipal code rather than assuming the statewide answer applies to you.

Wide view of a person clearing autumn leaves from a driveway with a blower, in warm late-afternoon light

What does this mean if you are buying?

If you are shopping for a blower in California, expect the new-equipment options to be battery-electric, since new gas SORE is no longer manufactured for sale. That is not a hardship — modern battery blowers have closed much of the performance gap and are quieter, which also helps with local noise rules. Our best cordless leaf blower roundup covers strong electric options, and gas versus battery leaf blowers weighs the tradeoffs directly. If noise is your concern, see leaf blower noise rules.

Is this happening beyond California?

California's statewide sales phase-out is the furthest-reaching example, but a broader movement is under way: a growing number of US cities in many states have adopted or proposed gas leaf blower restrictions over emissions and noise, some seasonal or limited to areas near homes. If you live outside California and are buying new, battery-electric equipment is the safer long-term choice as more local ordinances take effect. For the general buying picture, see our best leaf blower roundup. More in the leaf blowers and yard cleanup hub.

Are Gas Leaf Blowers Banned in California?