Shhh! Palm Beach limits use of gas-powered leaf blowers

Palm Beach banned the use of gas-powered leaf blowers at parcels under an acre.
Palm Beach banned the use of gas-powered leaf blowers at parcels under an acre.

Over the objections of landscape business owners, the Town Council of Palm Beach banned the use of loud gas-powered leaf blowers at properties smaller than an acre.

Representatives of lawn maintenance companies told council members in an April 14 meeting that Palm Beach should strengthen enforcement of its noise ordinance instead of limiting the use of gas-fueled leaf blowers.

Lawn maintenance companies complained that the town council’s action would force them to spend money on electrical of battery-powered leaf blowers, which are considered quieter.

But Kirk Carlson of Armstrong Landscape Group said field tests of 36 battery-run leaf blowers showed that 26 exceeded the town’s 65-decibel noise limit.

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He also said the town council’s action would create hazard as lawn maintenance companies transport spare supplies of lithium ion batteries in day-to-day operations.

Council members have said effective enforcement of the 65-decibel limit is impossible with only two code enforcement officers. [Palm Beach Daily News] Mike Seemuth