We all live in the canyons and we know noise reverberates in the canyon, as such, many have expressed concern about the level of noise from leaf blowers.  RoBG decided to look up the law and found this under the LA Municipal Code.  As homeowners, its up to us to ensure our contractors and gardeners abide by this law, as neighbors, friendly reminders are okay (as long as they are friendly).  No one wants the usage of water to clean our driveways but let’s be mindful of the noise and that many stay in their homes while others are out to work.

SEC. 112.04.  POWERED EQUIPMENT INTENDED FOR REPETITIVE USE IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND OTHER MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT, AND DEVICES.

     (Title and Section Amended by Ord. No. 161,574, Eff 9/8/86.)

     (a)     Between the hours of 10:00 p.m and. 7:00 a.m. of the following day, no person shall operate any lawn mower, backpack blower, lawn edger, riding tractor, or any other machinery, equipment, or other mechanical or electrical device, or any hand tool which creates a loud, raucous or impulsive sound, within any residential zone or within 500 feet of a residence.

     (b)     Except as to the equipment and operations specifically mentioned and related elsewhere in this Chapter or for emergency work as that term is defined in Section 111.01(d), and except as to aircraft, tow tractors, aircraft auxiliary power units, trains and motor vehicles in their respective operations governed by State or federal regulations, no person shall operate or cause to be operated any machinery, equipment, tools, or other mechanical or electrical device, or engage in any other activity in such manner as to create any noise which would cause the noise level on the premises of any other occupied property, or, if a condominium, apartment house, duplex, or attached business, within any adjoining unit, to exceed the ambient noise level by more than five (5) decibels.

     (c)     Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (a) above, no gas powered blower shall be used within 500 feet of a residence at anytime.  Both the user of such a blower as well as the individual who contracted for the services of the user, if any, shall be subject to the requirements of and penalty provisions for this ordinance.  Violation of the provisions of this subsection shall be punishable as an infraction in an amount not to exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), notwithstanding the graduated fines set forth in L.A.M.C. § 11.00(m). (Amended by Ord. No. 171,890, Eff. 2/13/98.)

SEC. 112.05.  MAXIMUM NOISE LEVEL OF POWERED EQUIPMENT OR POWERED HAND TOOLS.

     (Amended by Ord. No. 161,574, Eff. 9/8/86.)

     Between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., in any residential zone of the City or within 500 feet thereof, no person shall operate or cause to be operated any powered equipment or powered hand tool that produces a maximum noise level exceeding the following noise limits at a distance of 50 feet therefrom:

     (a)     75dB(A) for construction, industrial, and agricultural machinery including crawler-tractors, dozers, rotary drills and augers, loaders, power shovels, cranes, derricks, motor graders, paving machines, off-highway trucks, ditchers, trenchers, compactors, scrapers, wagons, pavement breakers, compressors and pneumatic or other powered equipment;

     (b)     75dB(A) for powered equipment of 20 HP or less intended for infrequent use in residential areas, including chain saws, log chippers and powered hand tools;

     (c)     65dB(A) for powered equipment intended for repetitive use in residential areas, including lawn mowers, backpack blowers, small lawn and garden tools and riding tractors;

     The noise limits for particular equipment listed above in (a), (b) and (c) shall be deemed to be superseded and replaced by noise limits for such equipment from and after their establishment by final regulations adopted by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and published in the Federal Register.

     Said noise limitations shall not apply where compliance therewith is technically infeasible  The burden of proving that compliance is technically infeasible shall be upon the person or persons charged with a violation of this section. Technical infeasibility shall mean that said noise limitations cannot be complied with despite the use of mufflers, shields, sound barriers and/or other noise reduction device or techniques during the operation of the equipment.