Politics & Government

Leaf Blower Regulations: Who Should Enforce Them In Newton?

A proposal headed for city council would put the responsibility with the city's inspectional services department rather than the police.

A proposal headed for city council this year would put the responsibility with the city's inspectional services department rather than the police.
A proposal headed for city council this year would put the responsibility with the city's inspectional services department rather than the police. (Jenna Fisher/Patch)

NEWTON, MA — Police may no longer have to enforce leaf blower rules in Newton, if a proposal making its way toward the city council gets approved later this year.

The main thrust of the ordinance requiring leaf blowers to be 65 decibels or lower and banning all gas-powered leaf blowers between Memorial Day and Labor Day, won't change. But the Newton Programs & Services Committee voted to add a requirement that any commercial company with leaf blower operations register with the city. They also are proposing to take enforcement duties from the Newton Police Department and place them with the city's Inspectional Services Department.

"Leaf blower violations aren't really an appropriate task for the police to enforce," City Councilor Bill Humphrey who proposed the amendment said in a phone interview. "It's a distraction from actual police work, and the rank and file police have indicated they're not particularly enthusiastic about having this responsibility."

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Councilor Holly Ryan agreed.

"We have to take a stand," she said in a phone interview. "And get these frivolous tasks removed from the police."

Find out what's happening in Newtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Council President Susan Albright and Councilor Lisle Baker both disagreed during the committee meeting April 7, saying police were positioned well to respond quickly to the many calls about noise and use violations that come into the city.

Proposed changes:

  • Police would no longer be responsible for enforcing leaf blower regulations
  • Commercial landscapers would be required to have a yearly permit, and sign a form saying they understand the ordinances.
  • If enforcement officers find a violation, homeowners who employ a permitted operator will not be held responsible or subject to a fine if the company has a city permit.
  • Changes would go into effect on Labor Day.

"It's worth emphasizing that the actual regulations of what are allowed is not changing," Humphrey said. "It's just a question of how we handle those regulations that's potentially changing."

The proposed changes must be approved by the Finance Committee, which may not happen until next month. Once that happens the proposal will head to the city council for a vote and then to the mayor for final approval.

"Any of it still could be revised," Humphrey said.

Newton has been without a permanent chief since former police chief David MacDonald abruptly stepped down in July. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller appointed former chief Howard Mintz to serve as interim chief. Humphrey said he expects the task force to reimagine police and a new police chief will likely want to have some say on the final decision.

How loud is 65 decibels?

Conversation in restaurant, office, background music, or the sound of a normal air conditioning unit at 100 ft all range about 60 decibels. A vacuum cleaner in your living room is about 70 decibels, according to a Purdue University chart.

Whither the leaf blowing ban?

Conversation to limit and ban leaf blowers as contributors to both air and noise pollution goes way back in Newton. Although the city’s bylaw already had said leaf blowers can be no louder than 65 decibels well before 2015, it had been largely ignored because landscapers were either unaware of it, or there was little enforcement.

In 2015 residents called for an all out ban. After months of discussion, the city council approved amendments that provided for a seasonal ban, and put police in charge of enforcement. That went effect on Jan. 1 2017.

All gas-powered leaf blowers are banned from Memorial Day through Labor Day. During that period, only one electric or battery-powered leaf blower per lot is allowed Monday-Friday from 7am to 5pm, and Saturdays from 8am to 5pm.

Leaf- blowers are prohibited on Sundays, except by residents on their own property between 9am and 5pm, and by owners of 30 or more contiguous acres of property between 9:30am and noon.

Leaf blower violations should be reported to Inspectional Services at 617-796-1061 and/or to the Newton Police Department at 617-796-2100—wait for the prompt for dispatch.


Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.


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