A new petition has been created on Change.org to gather community support for an Amendment to the MoC0 Gas Leaf Blower Ban. In addition to reports from private businesses expressing the need to reduce the size of their workforce to accommodate the cost of this ban, there are also growing reports from HOAs and neighborhood listservs reporting up to 4x a charge by businesses to conduct fall leaf clean up.
Below is the issue as logged on Change.org
There are changes happening in 2025 that will affect all lawn and landscaping companies, their employees, and all residents of Montgomery County, MD. Beginning on July 1, 2025 all gas powered leaf blowers will be banned in the county. The implementation of this ban has left companies with limited options for continuity of service.
A growing consortium of 25+ landscape companies have reached out to the Montgomery County Council requesting an amendment to the Bill 18-22 that would allow the use of gas powered leaf blowers during the busy fall season, for a period of 6 to 8 weeks, when leaf clean-up is at it’s heaviest. Without this amendment, many companies will have to increase prices to their customers, reduce hours or layoff employees due to less work volume, and limit the number of customers being serviced. All of this will lead to a negative impact on customers, businesses, and their employees.
We believe continuing to provide services with limited disruption can work with progressive environmental changes improving quality of life for everyone. An amendment can show a commitment to small businesses based in Montgomery County while still working to achieve lasting environmental goals.
To read more about Bill 18-22 please see MC Council Press Release on Bill 18-22, Sept 26, 2023.
The petition currently has 640 verified signatures. You can add your signature here.
