Gas Leaf Blower Ban Begins Monday In Princeton. Here's What To Know

PRINCETON, NJ — Beginning Monday, Princeton’s sustainable landscape ordinance goes into effect. The ordinance limits the use of gas leaf blowers and other noise-generating landscaping equipment.

May 16 marks the end of the 90-day grace period allowing residents and landscapers to adapt to the new changes. They will now have to use alternate forms of landscaping.

The ordinance was adopted last fall by a unanimous vote, and limits the use of gas leaf blowers until October when the restrictions lift for two months during peak fall. Read More: Princeton Passes Ordinance Restricting Use of Gas Leaf Blowers

“We've said all along, we want people to think about their property differently,” said Councilwoman Eve Niedergang, who led the effort on the ordinance.

“The idea is to move into more sustainable modes of landscaping, like the leaves that you clear off your lawn if you use a mulching mower, and keep them, you're actually helping provide nutrients and food for the lawn, and also for other species.”

While there’s a restriction on gas leaf blowers, gas and battery-powered mowers can be used throughout the year.

The idea of the ordinance is to encourage landscapers to use more sustainable methods, and to this end, a $500 grant has been established to provide financial assistance to eligible small landscaping companies. The fund has been established by Sustainable Princeton.

“It allows each company to apply for the grant to use for sustainable electric equipment for which they have to then trade in a gas equipment,” Niedergang said. "It could be a pole trimmer, string trimmer or a blower- any of those would qualify. So, we are encouraging people to reach out.”

Another important aspect of the ordinance is the worker's compensation and insurance requirement. Landscaping companies operating in Princeton are required to have proper insurance, including workmen's compensation. The ordinance requires companies to provide actual proof of insurance, which is a copy of their Certificate of Insurance (COI) showing they have purchased workers' compensation.

“One of the things that compliance officer is going be doing as she goes around and talks to people, is encouraging registration. And members of the community can encourage registration by making sure that they're using a landscaper that is registered with the municipality,” Niedergang said.

Princeton council is “feeling good” about the ordinance, Niedergang said, as it’s one step towards making a positive impact on climate change and ensuring workers are protected.

“We just have to rethink how we conceptualize what our residences or properties should be, and think of them as small ecosystems that we should be managing, for the benefit of the environment as a whole,” Niedergang said.

Here are the timings from May 16 to Sept. 30: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.- 8 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Residents will be sent a mailer with details on allowable days and hours of use. More information and the ordinance can be found here.

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