Leaf Blower Usage Ordinance
In 2025, the River Forest Village Board of Trustees adopted an ordinance regulating the use of gas-powered leaf blowers within the Village. This ordinance takes effect in 2026, with gas-powered leaf blowers prohibited between May 15 and September 15; a ban on fossil-fuel powered generators to operate and charge leaf blowers takes effect on that same date. Ths oridnance applies to anyone operating a leafblower for any purpose with in the Village.
Below are important dates and information pertaining to the ordinance:
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Beginning in 2026
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Ban on fossil-fuel powered generators to operate and charge leaf blowers.
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2026-2027
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Seasonal Ban May 15- September 15
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2028-2029
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Gas-powered leaf blowers only permitted in April, October, and November
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Beginning in 2030
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Year-round ban on gas-powered leaf blowers
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A copy of the full ordinance can be found here.
Landscape Contractors Voluntary Rebate Program
Additionally, the ordinance creates a rebate program for any landscape contractors who voluntarily commit to only using electric leaf blowers year-round. From 2026 until 2026, any contractor who commits to using only electric leaf blowers year-round can receive a $125 annual rebate. A copy of this provision can be found here.
Any contractors interested in the rebate for voluntary early transition should contact Seth Jansen, Staff Liaison to the Sustainability Commission at sjansen@vrf.us or 708-714-3521.
As of March 2026, the following Landscape Contractors have committed to using only electric leaef blowers: