Zero emission landscape equipment

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Electric Gardening Voucher program

The second round of the voucher program is fully subscribed and closed.
 
To help comply with a new city rule banning gas-powered gardening equipment, Menlo Park is offering financial assistance for low-income residents, those in pollution-burdened neighborhoods like Belle Haven and parts of Suburban Park, and seniors over 65. Residents can receive up to $250 for purchasing zero emission landscaping equipment. Gardening & landscaping businesses in Menlo Park can get up to $1,000, while other businesses are eligible for up to $250. For more information, follow this link.

 

Zero emission landscape equipment ordinance

On July 11, 2023 the City Council adopted a zero-emission landscape equipment (ZELE) requirement that prohibits using gas powered landscaping equipment due to its negative impacts on health, and noise and air pollution. Operating a gas powered leaf blower for one hour is equal to inhaling 15 hours of emissions from driving. It can also contribute to hearing loss.

The new ordinance requires use of zero emission (manual, electric or battery powered) landscaping equipment, starting with leaf blowers and string trimmers on July 1, 2024, and remaining equipment (chain saws, lawnmowers and hedge trimmers) in January 2029. The California Air Resources Board has also tried to phase out gas powered landscaping equipment by requiring manufacturers to sell only zero emission landscaping equipment in California starting Jan. 1, 2024. 

How to transition your business

Armando Vega of Enviro Views discusses his company's transition from gas to electric. 

Subscribe to project updates

Visit menlopark.gov/subscribe and sign up under Projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I participate in the zero emission landscaping equipment (ZELE) voucher program?

Residents, business owners, and professional landscapers will be assessed for eligibility into the program on a first come, first serve basis. Residents and businesses are eligible for a voucher of $250 and professional landscapers are eligible for a voucher of $1,000. This program is a voucher to take to a local retailer and purchase equipment. It is not a rebate and we will not be able to retroactively apply the incentive to equipment purchased. 

To be notified when the application portal becomes available, subscribe to our email list at menlopark.gov/subscribe and sign up under Projects.

 

What are the eligibility requirements for the ZELE program?

Residents

In order to be eligible to receive a voucher, you must demonstrate proof of residence in Menlo Park AND fulfill at least one of the following criteria:

  • Enrolled in government or utility financial assistance programs such as but not limited to the following, CALWorks, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), PG&E Care Program, Menlo Park utility discount program.
  • Located in a Menlo Park neighborhood that is disproportionally burdened by multiple sources of pollution with a score above 60 according to the California Office of the Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (e.g., Belle Haven and parts of Suburban Park).
  • Menlo Park Residents over the age of 65.

Businesses

In order to be eligible to receive a voucher, you must:

  • Demonstrate a current and valid business license in Menlo Park.
  • If you are a gardening or landscaping business that is not located in Menlo Park but does work in Menlo Park, you must provide an invoice or contract demonstrating this.
  • For businesses that do not perform gardening or landscaping services, you qualify for a voucher, but you must be located in Menlo Park.
Does the ordinance include unincorporated County addresses in Menlo Park? 

A mailer was sent to all Menlo Park addresses late June 2024. This included those in unincorporated County which are not covered by the ordinance. Apologies for the inconvenience. If you are unsure if you live in unincorporated County or the City of Menlo Park, please email sustainability@menlopark.gov to verify your eligibility

Where do I report violations to the ordinance?

Reports can be made online through ACT Menlo Park under Use of gas-powered leaf blower and/or string trimmer or by contacting the Menlo Park code enforcement at their phone number: 650-330-6377

Ordinance requirements

Menlo Park’s new rules apply over time and eventually allow only zero emission (manual, electric or battery powered) landscaping equipment. Property owners will be responsible for violations and violators could be subject to enforcement actions up to and including monetary fines. The ordinance and penalties can be found at this link. 

Timeline and core elements of the regulation: 

  • July 1, 2024: Begin enforcement of zero-emission leaf blowers and string trimmers (commonly called weed whackers)
  • Jan. 1, 2029: Begin enforcement of all other zero-emissions landscaping equipment (lawnmowers, hedge trimmers and chainsaws)
  • Applies to all properties, including residential, commercial and City properties within city limits
  • Hours of operation remain the same for electric powered equipment: 8 a.m.– 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Residents only on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays during the hours of 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Property owner will be responsible for resolving violations with their own private equipment or educating their landscapers and gardeners hired to perform work on their property

Community meeting recordings

For landscapers and gardeners

  • Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, from 7:30–8:30 p.m. - View the recording (English | Español)
  • Sunday, March 5, 2023, from 10:30–11:30 a.m. - View the recording (English | Español)

For community members

 

Project history

 Date Description
 Jan. 1, 2029 Use of other gas-powered gardening equipment such as chain saws, lawnmowers and hedge trimmers will not be allowed starting January 2029 
 July 1, 2024 Use of gas-powered leaf blowers and string trimmers (weed whackers) will not be allowed starting July 2024. 
 Apr. 8, 2024 Launch of Electric Gardening Voucher program 
Jan. 1, 2024 California Air Resources Board will require manufactures to sell only zero emissions landscaping equipment in California. Does not affect equipment that is already in use.
July 11, 2023 City Council adopted proposed zero emission landscaping equipment regulations.
June, 13, 2023

City Council to introduce proposed zero emission landscaping equipment regulations. Final opportunity for public feedback. 
April 27, 2023

Environmental Quality Commission reviews draft ordinance and community feedback and provides advice to City Council
February 2023 Proposed webinars to public and landscaping and gardening professionals
Oct. 18, 2022
City Council study session

City Council directs staff to prepare a draft ordinance to adopt in 2023 that would regulate all gas powered landscaping equipment as part of the overall goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution and to conduct public outreach particularly with gardeners and landscapers in Menlo Park.
May and June 2022 Staff reached out to landscaping and gardening associations and launched an online survey targeting Menlo Park landscapers and gardeners. 
Nov. 16, 2021 The Environmental Quality Commission advised City Council to consider a prohibition on gas powered leaf blowers. The City Council directed staff to engage with landscaping and gardening professionals before returning for further discussion. 
Early 2021 City Council received numerous public comments requesting regulations for gas powered leaf blowers. The City Council referred the matter to the Environmental Quality Commission for further advice. 

Resources

Download this handout(PDF, 1MB) to share with your neighbors and landscaping professional. 

Curious about zero emission landscaping equipment? Review some of these equipment testimonials.

Contact us

Sustainability Office
Email

650-330-6720

 

 

 

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