Quiet San Carlos | Cleaner Air. Quieter Yards. Better Living.

Take action in 60 seconds

The goal is simple: build public support, make it easy for City Council to act, and help residents create demand for electric equipment now.

1. Sign the petition

Add your name to the community petition asking San Carlos to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers.

Sign the Petition

2. Email City Council

Send a short, respectful message asking the Council to put a fair phase-out on a future agenda.

Email City Council

3. Switch to electric

Use city rebate information and ask your household or gardener to move away from gas blowers.

Get Rebate Info

Talk to your landscaper

Many crews use gas equipment because that is what customers expect. The goal is not to blame workers. The goal is to help homeowners create demand for cleaner, quieter service.

1

Start with thanks

Make it clear you respect the work they do.

“We really appreciate the work you do for our yard.”

2

Make the request

Be direct and specific about your property.

“We are trying to stop using gas-powered leaf blowers because of the noise and pollution.”

3

Offer options

Electric, rake, broom, mulch, or less-perfect cleanup are all better than gas blowers.

“Could you use electric equipment, a rake, or a broom instead?”

Dear Gardener / Landscaping Team, Thank you for the work you do to care for our yard. We are trying to reduce noise and air pollution at our home, so we are asking that gas-powered leaf blowers not be used on our property. Please use electric equipment, a rake, broom, or another quieter method when possible. San Carlos has information about rebates for electric leaf blowers and batteries, including information for residents and commercial landscapers. Thank you for helping make our neighborhood cleaner, quieter, and healthier. Sincerely, ________________________

Ask your neighbors to help

Your neighbors may dislike gas blowers too, but they may not know what to do. One of the most effective actions is simple: ask one neighbor to ask their landscaper.

Neighbor message — soft version

Hi — quick neighborhood ask. We’re trying to reduce gas-powered leaf blower use because the noise and exhaust affect everyone nearby. Would you be open to asking your gardener whether they can use electric equipment or avoid gas blowers at your house? San Carlos has rebate information to help people switch, and there’s a local petition here: https://www.change.org/p/help-san-carlos-go-cleaner-and-healthier-support-a-ban-on-gas-powered-leaf-blowers Thanks for considering it.

Neighbor message — direct version

Hi — I’m reaching out to neighbors about gas-powered leaf blowers. They are extremely loud, polluting, and disruptive, especially when multiple landscaping crews are working in the neighborhood on the same day. Would you be willing to ask your landscaper not to use gas-powered blowers on your property and to switch to electric equipment if possible? Here’s the local action page: https://CHANGE-THIS-WEBSITE-LINK.com

What to say if your landscaper pushes back

Keep it respectful. Your request is about your property, your neighborhood, and your willingness to accept quieter methods.

“Electric equipment is expensive.”

I understand. San Carlos has rebate information for electric blowers and batteries. I’m happy to share it with you.

“Electric blowers are not powerful enough.”

I understand they may not work for every job. For my property, I’m asking that you use electric, a rake, or a broom instead of gas blowers.

“It will take longer.”

I understand. I’m willing to accept a less perfectly blown yard if it means less noise and less pollution.

“Other customers do not care.”

That may be true, but I care about it for my property, and more residents are starting to ask.

Make your property gas-blower-free

You do not have to wait for a law. Homeowners create the demand. Landscapers respond to what customers ask for.

Quiet yard checklist

I asked my landscaper not to use gas-powered leaf blowers.
I shared rebate information.
I told one neighbor about the petition.
I am willing to accept raking, sweeping, mulching, or electric blowing instead.
I support a citywide phase-out with fair transition support.

Suggested yard sign text

This property is gas-blower-free.

Thank you for using electric tools, rakes, brooms, and quieter methods.

You can print this page and cut this card out as a temporary window sign.

Why this matters

Gas-powered leaf blowers are a quality-of-life problem, a health problem, and a neighborhood problem. The solution should be fair, practical, and focused on transition.

Noise

Gas blowers create intense, repetitive noise that carries across property lines and can dominate a neighborhood for hours.

Air and dust

Gas blowers produce exhaust and stir up dust, pollen, particulates, and debris near homes, sidewalks, pets, and open windows.

Fair transition

The answer is not to punish gardeners. The answer is a clear phase-out, rebates, bilingual education, and warning-first enforcement.

What we are asking San Carlos to do

San Carlos can lead with common sense: cleaner tools, quieter neighborhoods, and practical support for residents and landscaping businesses.

Put a gas-powered leaf blower phase-out on a future City Council agenda.
Adopt a clear date after which gas-powered leaf blowers may no longer be used.
Pair the phase-out with rebates, outreach, and education.
Use bilingual materials for residents, gardeners, and landscaping crews.
Use warnings and education first, then fair enforcement.

Neighborhood toolkit

Copy, print, share, and reuse these tools. The more residents ask for electric equipment, the easier the transition becomes.

Petition

Share the petition with neighbors and local groups.

Open Petition

Council email

Send a short message asking for a fair phase-out.

Email Council

Rebate information

Share rebate information with your gardener or landscaping crew.

Open Rebate Info

Landscaper note Neighbor text Council email Petition link Rebate link Quiet yard pledge

Join the local list

Stay connected with the community effort and help build support neighborhood by neighborhood.