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10.40.038 Leaf blowers.

(a) On and after July 1, 2012, leaf blowers operated within the city of Burlingame shall display a label which certifies that it operates at a noise level of sixty-five (65) dBA or less. Any leaf blower which bears such a certification label shall be presumed to comply with any noise level limit of this chapter provided that it is operated with all the mufflers and full extension tubes supplied by the manufacturer for that leaf blower. It is unlawful to operate a leaf blower within the city which does not bear such a label or which exceeds the 65 dBA level.

(b) On and after July 1, 2012, leaf blowers operated within the city of Burlingame shall only be operated during the times, on the days and in the areas as follows:

(1) Area A. Peninsula and Barroilet Drives north to Sanchez and Toyon Drives. Permitted only on Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

(2) Area B. Sanchez and Toyon Drives north to Adeline and Cambridge Avenues. Permitted only on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

(3) Area C. Adeline and Cambridge Avenues north to Burlingame city limits. Permitted only on Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

A diagram displaying these times, days and locations is attached to the ordinance codified this section.

It is unlawful to operate a leaf blower during a time, on a day or in an area which is not in conformance with this subsection.

(1) Personnel maintaining nonresidential properties east of the Cal-Train tracks and north of Toyon Drive and all properties east of Highway 101 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. every day except Sunday.

(2) Residents operating leaf blowers that produce a noise level of sixty-five (65) dBA or less between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

(3) Use of leaf blowers that produce a noise level of sixty-five (65) dBA or less will be allowed to operate between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday in the following areas:

(A) Parcels zoned R-3 and R-4 located in Areas A and B as described in subsection (b) above;

(B) Publicly owned parks and landscaped areas as well as public and private schools, under four (4) acres in size.

(4) When a designated day for a particular area to use leaf blowers occurs on a holiday, that area shall be allowed to use leaf blowers on the next designated weekday for the use of leaf blowers. For example:

(A) If the holiday were to fall on a Tuesday, Area A would not be allowed to blow on Tuesday of that week but would be allowed to blow on Thursday of that week.

(B) If the holiday were to fall on a Friday, Area B would not be allowed to blow on Friday of that week but would be allowed to blow on Tuesday of the following week.

(C) If the holiday were to fall on a Thursday, Area C would not be allowed to blow on Thursday of that week but would be allowed to blow on Friday of that week.

(d) In all areas of the city of Burlingame, no person shall operate any leaf blower which does not bear an affixed manufacturer’s label indicating the model number of the leaf blower and designating a noise level not in excess of sixty-five (65) dBA when measured from a distance of fifty (50) feet utilizing American National Standard Institute Methodology.

(e) Notwithstanding other provisions in this section and in addition to the hours of operation permitted in this chapter, authorized city employees may operate leaf blowers as part of their tree trimming or removal activities between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and holidays, and 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, provided the leaf blower complies with the noise levels established by subsection (d) above.

(f) Notwithstanding other provisions in this section, leaf blowers may be operated on properties greater than four (4) acres in size between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and holidays, and 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, provided the leaf blower complies with the noise levels established by subsection (d) above.

(g) Persons operating leaf blowers are encouraged to ensure that leaves, dirt and other debris are not blown onto adjoining private or public properties. All leaves, dirt and other debris gathered by the leaf blower should be deposited in appropriate recycling containers.

(h) Emergencies. During a period of emergency as determined by the city manager, the enforcement of this section may temporarily be suspended.

(i) Penalty. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of an infraction and shall be punished by a fine in the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00). (Ord. 1871 § 3, (2012))