Ordinance Restricting the Use of Portable Blowers

On November 10, 2020, the city council adopted an ordinance that prohibits the use of all portable blowers when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is considered unhealthy. The prohibition is in effect when the Air Quality Index as the “Current PM2.5 AQI” is at or above 101 for downtown Sacramento, as reported by the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD).

Chapter 8.70 of the Sacramento City Code was adopted to protect public health when the air quality is poor and dangerous to the public. Recent fires throughout the state raised concerned about the use of portable blowers the AQI is unhealthy resulting the need for this regulation. The current AQI can be found on the SMAQMD’s website.

Background

  • The use of portable blowers when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is high has created health concerns.
  • According to the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD), the AQI exceeded 100 an average of 34.4 days dating back to 2014.

Committe actions

  • February 12, 2020: Staff presented proposed language to Law and Legislation Committee to amend the city code to prohibit use of portable blowers when the AQI is above 100. Committee directed staff to return with an ordinance for consideration.
  • October 13, 2020: Committee heard the proposed ordinance adding chapter 8.70 to the Sacramento City Code relating to Portable blowers and approved a motion forwarding the ordinance to the City Council for consideration. The approved motion included clarifying the ordinance to prohibit use when the AQI is 101 or above.
  • November 10, 2020: The city council unanimously voted to adopt the proposed ordinance (9 – 0 vote) into the Sacramento City Code. For more information, you may watch this presentation

Enforcement

The City’s Code Compliance Division is responsible for the enforcement of Chapter 8.70. The department will focus on education and outreach to ensure residents fully understand the scope of the law. Residents that chose to continue violating the ordinance will be cited with a monetary penalty.

Contact

Code Liaison at (916) 808-2633 or by email.

Shawn Bartosh at (916) 808-8673 or by email.

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