Gas leaf blowers may be coming back after Sanibel tried to silence them

SANIBEL, Fla. —

Sanibel’s latest effort to quiet the island may soon be drowned out by state law.

The city banned gas-powered leaf blowers in December after years of complaints about noise and environmental concerns, pushing landscapers and homeowners to switch to electric equipment. But a newly signed state “farm bill” will stop cities from banning gas-powered lawn tools altogether, meaning Sanibel’s rules could disappear as soon as July 1.

For some local businesses, that reversal comes after months — and in some cases thousands of dollars — spent trying to comply.

Earl Persinger, who runs Tree West and does tree and landscaping work across Sanibel, said his company immediately bought new equipment once the ban took effect.

“We had to go out and purchase electric blowers. The cost difference is about two and a half times compared to a gasoline blower,” Persinger said, adding that crews also face practical challenges like battery life fading throughout the day.

“It just hurts on job efficiency,” he said. “Where do you charge your battery at that point that day? Do you plug it into the customer’s outlets outside their house?”

Now, city leaders say the state law will override the local ordinance.

“With any preemption from the state, the city will comply,” said Sanibel Public Information Officer Eric Jackson. “Starting in July, the city won’t be enforcing the ban on gas-powered leaf blowers.”

While some neighbors we talked to are disappointed at leaf blowers' return, not everyone on the island supported the restrictions in the first place.

Carol Steele, whose family has lived on Sanibel for decades, said the equipment is simply part of maintaining homes in a community where most properties rely on professional landscaping.

“If it’s an inconsiderate time of day, then speak to your neighbors before you ban a good piece of equipment that everybody uses,” Steele said.

She also worries that the rules unfairly target local workers. “You’re banning someone’s business, part of their business, for noise.”

Persinger said his company will likely keep using both types of equipment for now, depending on the job and whether batteries are a compromise that reflects the uncertainty many crews face as the rules change yet again.

Meanwhile, the City of Naples says staff and legal counsel are still reviewing the new law and have not yet determined what changes, if any, will be needed locally.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.