City of Toronto’s proposed guidelines for leaf blower use
Landscape Ontario’s executive director Tony DiGiovanni reports that the City of Toronto has proposed the following restrictions to the use of leaf blowers:
“that sound resulting from the operation of gasoline-powered devices
that blow or vacuum leaves, grass cuttings, debris or similar
material be prohibited if clearly audible at the following times in
the following areas:
- from the day after Victoria Day to September 30th, at all times in
a Quiet Zone or Residential Area except in connection with the
cleaning or maintenance of City property by staff in connection with
Special Events, Splash Pads, Wading Pools, Bicycle Paths or
Pedestrian Paths; and
- from October 1st to Victoria Day:
i. at all times in Quiet Zones, except for the cleaning and
maintenance of City property as described in a) above; and in
Residential Areas from 7:00 pm one day to 7:00am the next day, 9:00
am Saturday, Sunday and Holidays.”
According to Mr. DiGiovanni, what this means is that The City is proposing to give the industry full use on industrial, commercial and institutional property and restricted use for residential properties for fall and spring cleanup. Four months of the year we will not be able to use leaf blowers on residential properties. Councillor Mihevic clearly stated that the definition of residential also encompasses multi-residential properties including apartments and condominiums. He is anxious that we as an industry agree with this compromise so that it goes through council. If we don’t agree he will push for an all out ban, which was his first approach. This is a significant improvement over previous proposals but further input from the industry is required.
Use of leaf blowers threatened by Toronto Council
