Last fall the The leaf blower ban warrant article passed last fall's Special Town Meeting, and went into effect in June of this year. 

Per the stipulations of the bylaw, gas-powered leaf blowers are not permitted except during two two-month-long windows during the year: from March 15 to May 15, and from Sept. 15 to Dec. 15

Outside of those dates and times, use of gas leaf blowers is not allowed.

The ban does not apply to electric leafblowers, nor to to the Department of Public Works's leaf blowers or those of town Contractors. 

If you have a leaf blower, it also has to meet the town's noise limit of 67 decibels. Many machines will have a manufacturer's sticker indicating the noise level, but if yours does not, the Department of Public Works will test them at the 870 Hammond Street facility, on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.

When the police announced the ban in June, they included a document (see right) with more information about the ban. Mentioned in the document: "

We are recommending that you check your leaf blowers for the proper manufacturer’s label indicating that the noise level of the machine does not exceed 67 db. If it does, it will be illegal to use this machine in Brookline and you may be subject to a fine. If no label is attached, we strongly suggest you attend an inspection at your earliest convenience.

Per the provisions of the bylaw, gas leaf blowers cannot be modified, and must be used as directed by the manufacturer. People with questions are encouraged to contact the DPW at 617-646-2700.

See the Brookline Police Department's document under PDFs to the right.

Patch users sounded off on the leaf blower ban last week: a number of people in favor, and a number calling it snobbery.