Township of Maplewood, NJ Chapter 159 Leaf Blowers, Gas-Powered

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Maplewood 4-4-2017 by Ord. No. 2854-17; amended in its entirety 2-2-2021 by Ord. No. 3016-21. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 159-1 Definitions; prohibited acts; fines.

[Amended 4-19-2022 by Ord. No. 3057-22]

A. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

GAS-POWERED LEAF BLOWER

A piece of equipment powered by a two-stroke or four-stroke engine using gasoline or a mixture of gasoline and oil blend as fuel and used primarily for but not exclusively to blow grass clippings and debris, leaves, dirt, etc., often used in yard and lawn maintenance.

TURBINE BLOWER

Also commonly referred to as a “Buffalo blower,” a piece of equipment that is connected to a small tractor, golf cart or other vehicle and is intended to blow large volumes of air; it is much quieter than a conventional gas-powered leaf blower.

B. The use of gas powered leaf blowers, except a turbo blower, is prohibited within the Township of Maplewood. This prohibition includes the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in the application of chemicals or products to treat for bug or insect infestation.

§ 159-2 When permitted.

[Amended 4-19-2022 by Ord. No. 3057-22]

A. Electric and battery-powered leaf blowers are permitted as follows:

(1) Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

(2) Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

(3) Sunday use is prohibited.

B. A turbo blower is permitted between May 1 and September 30 of each year by any person or entity as follows:

(1) Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

(2) Saturdays: 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

(3) Sundays: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

§ 159-2.1 Violations and penalties.

[Added 4-19-2022 by Ord. No. 3057-22]

Any person or entity violating the provisions of this chapter shall be fined as follows, and the violator will be subject to a loss of license to perform work within the Township of Maplewood:

A. First offense: $500.

B. Second offense: $1,000.

C. For a third or subsequent offense: $1,500.

§ 159-3 Commercial entity; safety equipment; fines.

A. A commercial entity shall include but not be limited to lawn maintenance businesses, tree-removal or maintenance businesses, paving companies, gutter-cleaning companies and shall include any person or entity charging a fee for services.

B. All commercial entity workers using gas-powered leaf blowers must be provided with and must wear safety equipment for hearing and breathing. Any commercial entity failing to provide and/or failing to require its workers to wear the aforementioned safety equipment, shall be subject to a fine as follows:

(1) First offense: $50.

(2) Second offense: $100.

(3) For a third or subsequent offense: $150.

C. Each day a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense.

§ 159-4 Deposit of leaves on street; fines.

[Amended 4-19-2022 by Ord. No. 3057-22]

A. No person or entity may deposit leaves into any street more than seven days before a regularly scheduled Department of Public Works pickup.

B. Anyone violating this section shall be subject to a fine as follows:

(1) First offense: $100.

(2) Second offense: $200.

(3) For a third or subsequent offense: $500.

§ 159-5 Weather or other emergency.

[Amended 4-19-2022 by Ord. No. 3057-22]

In the event of a weather emergency or other emergent circumstances, the Township Emergency Management Coordinator shall be permitted to modify the restrictions of this chapter.