California’s Green Lawn Care Law: How It Affects You
Author: Lauren Bryant
California’s law banning the sale of new gas-powered lawn care equipment affects homeowners, lawn care service providers, and the makers of lawn mowers, leaf blowers, string trimmers, and other landscaping equipment.
The law, which took effect Jan. 1, 2024, aims to protect the environment by reducing pollution – such as the harmful emissions of gas mowers, weed whackers, and leaf blowers – and the loud noise from gas-powered leaf blowers that can lead to hearing loss. However, many Californians worry about how the law will affect their lawn care routines and businesses.
Other states, cities, and counties also have since put in place or plan to enact similar laws banning or limiting gas-powered equipment, though the details and goals vary from place to place.
California’s gas-powered equipment ban is part of **Assembly Bill 1346**, approved by Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2021. The bill requires the California Air Resource Board (CARB) to regulate emissions from [small off-road engines](https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/small-off-road-engines-sore/about) (SORE). **SORE** are gasoline engines with power equal to or less than 19 kilowatts or 25 horsepower, which includes many lawn care tools.
To meet their goals, CARB approved a measure requiring newly manufactured lawn care and other equipment with small off road engines to be zero-emission. These standards will be enforced in two waves:
**In 2024**, new models of most SOREs will need to be zero-emission. Generators and large pressure washers will have stricter standards to reduce emissions by 40% to 90%.
**In 2028**, new models of generators and large pressure washers also need to be zero-emission.
Pollutants from SOREs cause many adverse health effects, such as **cardiovascular disease, asthma, and premature death**. The noise from lawn mowers and leaf blowers also can cause [**hearing loss**](https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss#:~:text=harmful%20noises%20at%20home%20may%20come%20from%20sources%20including%20lawnmowers%2C%20leaf%20blowers%2C%20and%20woodworking%20tools.), especially when used without proper ear protection.
check out our [FAQ on California’s Green Lawn Care Law](https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/lawn-care-2/faq-california-green-lawn-care-law/).
0 Comments