WINTER PARK, Fla. — On Tuesday, Winter Park voters reversed a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers that went into effect in July 2024.

The city had passed an ordinance in 2022 prohibiting the use of gas-powered leaf blowers, citing noise complaints and environmental health impacts.

Lawn equipment across the United States produced more than 68,000 tons of nitrogen oxides in 2020, according to a report shared by The Public Interest Network. The report also says the equipment produced 30 million tons of carbon dioxide.

Pollution is one of the reasons members of the Winter Park City Commission cited when they chose to implement the ban. They also said they had received complaints from residents about the noise of gas-powered equipment.

However, lawn care agencies argue that electric leaf blowers don’t hold charge long enough for commercial work, which would result in them having to buy multiple batteries to keep on hand in their trucks.

As part of the ban, the city gave a 30-month grace period for residents and lawn care agencies to replace their equipment. In January 2025, they began issuing fines to violators.

However, after a back-and-forth battle, 54% of voters decided to reverse the ban in Tuesday’s Orange County elections.