Off-Road Equipment

The Off-Road Equipment strategy of the City's Climate Action Plan (CAP) aims to cut back on emissions by prohibiting the use of gas-powered two-stroke leaf blowers. Transitioning away from fossil fuel powered landscape equipment will decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reduce noise from yard care activities, reduce air particulates and debris, and prevent many other harmful emissions from polluting the air. 

Implementation of this strategy is estimated to reduce the City’s GHG emissions by 128 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) by 2020 and 142 MTCO2e by 2030.

Explore the sections below to see what the City is doing to achieve these goals. 

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Off-Road Emissions

Leaf Blower Emissions and Alternatives


The Off-Road Equipment strategy of the City's Climate Action Plan (CAP) aims to cut back on emissions by prohibiting the use of gas-powered two-stroke leaf blowers. Transitioning away from fossil fuel powered landscape equipment will decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reduce noise from yard care activities, reduce air particulates and debris, and prevent many other harmful emissions from polluting the air. According to the California Air Resources Board, two‐stroke leaf blowers are among the top four most used types of off-road equipment. 

Alternatives to gas-powered leaf blowers include electric- and battery-powered leaf blowers, human-powered equipment, and preventing the need for equipment through smart landscaping and planning. These alternative options not only generate less noise, but also produce little to no harmful air pollutants. 

Last updated on April 26, 2023

2020 Target Achieved

OR-1: Adopt a Leaf Blower Ordinance to Limit Use of 2-Stroke Leaf Blowers

Leaf Blower Ordinance

The City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by phasing out the use of gas-powered two-stroke engine leaf blowers. To achieve this, measure OR-1 directs the City to adopt a leaf blower ordinance to eliminate the use of gas-powered throughout the City of Encinitas.

The CAP estimated that 20% of the emissions from lawn and garden equipment is attributed to two‐stroke leaf blowers. In addition to GHG emissions, two-stroke engine leaf blowers also emit several other harmful air pollutants. The CAP estimated that phasing out the use of gas-powered two-stroke leaf blowers would reduce emissions by approximately 128 carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) by 2020 and 142 MTCO2e by 2030

In August 2019, City Council adopted Ordinance 2019-06, prohibiting the use or operation of any leaf blower powered by a gasoline combustion engine (two-stroke or four-stroke) within City limits. Additionally, the ordinance regulates the allowed hours of operation of all leaf blowers and prohibits leaf blowers from depositing waste (leaves, debris, etc.) onto a neighboring property, street, sidewalk, gutter, or storm drain. The ordinance went into effect on January 20, 2020. Any violations of this ordinance may be reported by submitting a Code Enforcement Complaint using this online form or reporting an issue using the MyEncinitas app which can be downloaded to your phone here.

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Greenhouse gases (GHGs) have a natural heat trapping capacity which varies by gas. Humans produce more carbon dioxide (CO2) than any other GHG. We count emissions of GHGs based on how each GHG’s heat trapping capacity compares to CO2s. This is called the "CO2 equivalent" (CO2e). We measure GHGs in metric tons of CO2e (MTCO2e).MTCO2eMetric Tons Carbon Dioxide Equivalent
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) have a natural heat trapping capacity which varies by gas. Humans produce more carbon dioxide (CO2) than any other GHG. We count emissions of GHGs based on how each GHG’s heat trapping capacity compares to CO2s. This is called the "CO2 equivalent" (CO2e). We measure GHGs in metric tons of CO2e (MTCO2e).MTCO2eMetric Tons Carbon Dioxide Equivalent


Last updated April 26, 2023

Reduce Off-Road Fuel Use

How You Can Help


Incentives for Clean-Off Road Equipment
Learn More About the City’s Leaf Blower Ordinance
Rent a Rake from the Solana Center
Leaves_Rake

Last updated June 14, 2022

Status of CAP Implementation