QUIET PENSACOLA
Quiet Pensacola provides information on the adverse health effects of noisy and highly polluting gas-powered leaf blowers. Our goal is to educate the public about the hazards associated with too much environmental noise and encourage policy makers to update local ordinances to achieve the needs of residents who want quiet neighborhoods and healthy communities.
BREAKING NEWS from CivicCon speaker James Fallows!
BREAKING NEWS from CivicCon speaker James Fallows!
"After reading the research on this, and after James Fallows sent me a personal note, I met with our landscaping company .... I showed them the data, and they went from gas to electric on their own, and so have we."
- Quint Studer
Get involved
If you are a Pensacola resident and are tired of loud noise, dangerous particulate matter and noxious fumes from gas-powered leaf blowers, you are encouraged to write or email City Council and tell them you want the excessive use of gas-powered leaf blowers in our neighborhoods reduced. Please review the "ISSUES" link, and ask your representative to update the Pensacola noise ordinance (8-1-16) and establish reasonable rules for leaf blower use in residential neighborhoods. Consider asking your Councilperson to:
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limit commercial landscape blowers in residential areas to weekdays and reasonable hours;
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establish reasonable hours and duration of use for blowers;
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encourage gradual switch from gas to battery-powered blowers;
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consider a summer commercial blower restriction; and
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ensure best practices are published.
Encourage quieter and more environmentally friendly landscape practices.
The Honorable Jared Moore
Council Member and President, District 4
222 West Main Street, Pensacola, FL 32502
JMoore@cityofpensacola.com; (850) 418-2269
The Honorable Ann Hill
Council Member and Vice President, District 6
222 West Main Street, Pensacola, FL 32502
ahill@cityofpensacola.com; (850) 418-3492
The Honorable Casey Jones
Council Member, District 3
222 West Main Street, Pensacola, FL 32502
cjones@cityofpensacola.com; (850) 903-2058
The Honorable Delarian Wiggins
Council Member, District 7
222 West Main Street, Pensacola, FL 32502
dewiggins@cityofpensacola.com; (850) 903-2055
The Honorable Jennifer Brahier
Council Member, District 1
222 West Main Street, Pensacola, FL 32502
JBrahier@cityofpensacola.com; (850) 903-2150
The Honorable Sherri F. Myers
Council Member, District 2
222 West Main Street, Pensacola, FL 32502
smyers@cityofpensacola.com; 850-490-0054
The Honorable Teniade Broughton
Council Member, District 5
222 West Main Street, Pensacola, FL 32502
TBroughton@cityofpensacola.com; (850) 903-2051
To view your district, insert your address at CityView.
Noise Complaints
Leaf blower noise annoyances and disturbances should be recorded. Some cities provide a noise complaint form for recording annoying and disturbing noise.
Best Practices
Best practices from leaf blower product manuals and other professional landscape literature:
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Minimize noise: Always run a leaf blower at the lowest possible throttle speed for the task and minimum amount of time. To minimize blower time, use a rake or broom to loosen dirt particles before blowing.
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Protect air quality: Reduce leaf blower use on pavements to reduce airborne dust.
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Be careful: Stay alert when near people or pets, especially children and older adults. Never point a blower nozzle that directs dust towards others because it’s harmful.
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Respect the community: Avoid using more than one blower at a time in residential areas. Never blow debris into a neighbor’s yard or into the street. Be safe, courteous and responsible. Landscapers should use lower nozzle extensions to control sound and minimize harmful dust. Do not blow very late in the day.
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Follow professional guidance: Operate leaf blowers only at reasonable times - not early in the morning, late at night or during midday rest. Normal professional use on weekdays is 9:00 am to Noon and 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, leaf blower manuals advise. Be considerate of neighbors on weekends. A professional landscape magazine recommends never run a leaf blower before 8:00 am or after 5:00 pm, and never use a leaf blower on Sundays or holidays.
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Think twice: Why automatically reach for leaf blowers to clean up lawns and walkways? Sweep or rake where possible. Be considerate.
IF THAT ENGINE WERE ON THE ROAD
IT'S SO POLLUTANT IT WOULD BE BANNED
INSTEAD HE WEARS IT ON HIS BACK
FOR 8 HOURS A DAY
Quiet Pensacola
P.O. Box 583
Pensacola, FL 32591