Don't Ban My Leaf Blower!

SB687 authorizes local governments to ban or restrict gas-powered leaf blowers without applying objective noise or performance standards, resulting in inconsistent local regulations that burden small landscaping businesses while providing no proven public benefit.

WHY OPPOSE SB687

Unnecessary – Localities already regulate noise through existing ordinances
No Standards – No decibel limits, performance metrics, or enforcement criteria
Technology Ban – Regulates by power source, not real-world performance
Small Business Harm – Forces premature equipment replacement and higher costs
Patchwork Rules – Creates inconsistent local bans across jurisdictions
Market Distortion – Uses penalty revenue to subsidize favored equipment

VA2026SB 687

Gas-powered leaf blowers; local prohibition or regulation, civil penalty.

Last Action

Passed by indefinitely in Local Government (11-Y 4-N)

Senate • Feb 09, 2026

Latest Version

Introduced

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Your Message to the legislators

Dear (name and title inserted automatically),

I am writing to respectfully urge you to oppose SB687, which grants local governments broad authority to prohibit or regulate gas-powered leaf blowers and impose civil penalties.

While concerns about noise are valid, SB687 does not establish any objective noise, performance, or efficiency standards. Instead, it allows categorical bans based solely on power source, creating a confusing patchwork of local rules that will disproportionately harm small businesses, contractors, and equipment manufacturers.

Landscaping and grounds-maintenance businesses rely on professional-grade equipment to operate efficiently, safely, and affordably. Local bans will force premature equipment replacement, increase operating costs, reduce workforce productivity, and raise prices for consumers — all without evidence that bans are more effective than enforceable noise standards.

Local governments already have authority to regulate excessive noise. HB881/SB687 goes much further by encouraging outright bans and using penalty revenues to subsidize alternative equipment, effectively picking winners and losers rather than setting fair, performance-based rules.

Virginia should pursue balanced, technology-neutral solutions that address noise concerns without undermining small businesses, manufacturing jobs, or workforce stability.

For these reasons, I respectfully ask you to oppose SB687.