Lake Forest committee proposes shorter commercial landscaping hours, asks council to draft ordinance

The City of Lake Forest’s Environmental Sustainability Committee recommended the City Council direct staff to draft an amendment that would narrow allowable hours for commercial landscaping equipment and prohibit landscaping noise on Sundays and holidays.

Carrie Cope, assistant to the city manager presenting the committee’s work, said the recommendation is limited to hours and does not impose a gas‑leaf‑blower ban. “To be clear, the recommendation tonight is only for noise for all landscape equipment, not a gas powered leaf blower ban,” Cope said.

The committee proposed the following changes for commercial landscaping contractors: weekdays Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. (reducing the evening end time by 30 minutes); Saturdays 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (reducing morning and evening windows); and prohibited Sunday and holiday landscape noise. The committee’s memo, presented to council, notes the proposed hours balance resident complaints about noise with concerns from smaller landscaping businesses about equipment costs and operational constraints.

Cope summarized the research: a 2021 regional working group had identified multiple policy options, and municipalities in the region have varied policies — some maintain general noise hours, others adopted four‑ or nine‑month seasonal bans on gas‑powered leaf blowers. The committee surveyed 96 registered landscape businesses; most said they do not work in Lake Forest on Sundays or holidays, but raised concerns that Sunday hours are used for catch‑up after weather delays.

The committee recommended allowing time for outreach and messaging to allow contractors to adjust schedules before any new hours take effect, and suggested warnings and education before citations for noncompliance. Council members asked about enforcement (currently complaint‑driven through the police department), exemptions for city operations and parks, and how the city will reach smaller, unregistered operators; staff said the draft ordinance will address exemptions and enforcement procedure.

Council consensus was to direct staff and the city attorney to prepare a draft ordinance for consideration at a future meeting and to allow time for communication with landscapers and residents prior to any effective date.

Ending: The council asked staff to return with a draft ordinance and implementation plan that would include outreach and an enforcement approach.