TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Masa Alkire, Community Development Director
Britny Coker-Moen, Environmental Programs Administrator
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of the South Coast Air Quality Management District Electric Lawn and Garden Equipment Program (No Budget Impact) (Community Development Director Alkire).
(Estimated Time: 30 Mins.)
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council discuss and provide direction to staff regarding next steps, if any.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action; however, depending on direction from City Council, staff time and resources may be expended to accommodate the request.
BACKGROUND:
At the May 6, 2025, City Council meeting, the City Council approved a request by Councilmember Franklin and Councilmember Tarnay, with a third vote by Councilmember Charelian, to discuss the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Electric Lawn and Garden Equipment Program.
Gasoline- and diesel-powered lawn and garden equipment emit smog-producing pollutants, contributing to local and regional air pollution. According to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), running a gasoline-powered lawn mower for one hour produces similar emissions to the average car driving 300 miles. Residential and commercial lawn and garden equipment make up 69 percent of small off-road engines (spark-ignition engines rated at or below 19 kilowatts). As of 2021, emissions from small off-road engines already exceeded emissions from light-duty passenger vehicles. Emissions from these engines are projected to rise to nearly double those produced by passenger vehicles by 2031, according to CARB.
DISCUSSION:
South Coast AQMD is the regulatory agency responsible for controlling emissions to improve air quality and protect the health of those who work and reside in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. As part of their efforts to clean the air, South Coast AQMD offers the following Electric Lawn and Garden programs to facilitate the replacement of gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment with battery-electric alternatives, as outlined below.
Residential Electric Lawn and Garden Rebate Program
Residents may receive rebates of up to $250 with the purchase of cordless, battery-electric lawn and garden equipment (lawn mowers, trimmers, leaf vacuums, chain saws) by returning an operable, gasoline-powered equivalent equipment to an approved dismantler. Residents may apply for a rebate for up to three pieces of equipment with proof of purchase of cordless, battery-electric equipment, only after the return of equivalent gasoline-powered equipment. Eligible rebate amounts may not exceed the purchase price and are as follows:
|
New equipment purchase price |
Eligible rebate amount |
|
$250 or less |
Up to $150 |
|
$251 to $400 |
Up to $200 |
|
$401 or more |
Up to $250 |
Commercial Electric Lawn and Garden Equipment Incentive and Exchange Program
Commercial landscapers and gardeners, nonprofit organizations, colleges, and school districts may purchase eligible cordless, battery-electric equipment (mowers, trimmers, pruners, leaf vacuums, chain saws, etc.) at a discounted price at participating retailers by returning an operable, gasoline- or diesel-powered equivalent equipment. Participating retailers will assist buyers with determining eligibility and selecting eligible battery-electric equipment and will apply for a voucher with the South Coast AQMD on the buyer’s behalf. Once the voucher is approved, the buyer may bring the gas- or diesel-powered equipment to the retailer to be dismantled and may purchase the replacement battery-electric equipment at a discounted price. Battery-electric equipment will be discounted up to 85 percent or up to the maximum amounts listed below, whichever is less:
|
New commercial equipment |
Maximum discounted amount |
|
Chainsaws, trimmers, edgers, brush cutters |
$700 |
|
Leaf vacuums |
$1,400 |
|
Walk-behind lawn mowers |
$1,500 |
|
Ride-on or stand/sit lawn mowers |
$15,000 |
All Blowers Restricted in the City of Manhattan Beach
The community should be aware that pursuant to the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code Section 5.48.330, all mechanical blowers, whether electric, battery, or gas-powered, are prohibited for use in the City of Manhattan Beach to address the threat posed by leaf blowers to air quality and human health.
In September, 1998, the City Council adopted Ordinance 1986, amending Manhattan Beach Municipal Code Section 5.48 to prohibit the use of all mechanical leaf blowers in the City in response to concerns from the community about the health and environmental impacts of leaf blowers, as well as the nuisance caused by blowing dust and debris onto adjoining properties. Leaf blowers can stir up dirt, dust, debris, animal feces, mold spores, pesticides and herbicides, fertilizers, vehicle brake-lining dust, rubber from tire wear, and heavy metals.
The AQMD Electric Lawn and Garden Equipment Program facilitates the exchange of gas- or diesel-powered lawn and garden equipment, such as lawn mowers, trimmers, and leaf blowers. However, residents of Manhattan Beach, as well as landscapers and gardeners operating in Manhattan Beach, should be aware that the use of all mechanical leaf blowers in the City, including gas, battery, and electric, is prohibited. Mechanical vacuums are a permitted alternative to blowers, and many leaf blowers can be fitted with a vacuum attachment. Gas-powered leaf blowers may be exchanged for electric vacuum-compatible alternatives.
Next steps
Staff recommends that the City move forward with community education and increasing awareness of the rebates and incentives available through the Electric Lawn and Garden programs. This would include advertisements via City social media channels, City website, and City newsletters, and outreach at community and City-hosted events.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
Formal public notice is not required for this item; however the item was included in the agenda for this meeting, which was posted in accordance with the law.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss and provide direction on next steps, if any.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it consists of an administrative activity of government that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENT:
1. PowerPoint Presentation