City to promote AQMD electric lawn-equipment rebates; clarifies leaf-blower ban

Manhattan Beach’s City Council voted unanimously Sept. 16 to ask staff to promote South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) programs that subsidize exchanges of gas or diesel lawn and garden equipment for battery-electric alternatives.

Environmental Programs Administrator Britney Koker Mowen outlined two programs: a residential rebate program offering up to $250 per eligible cordless battery-operated item when residents turn in equivalent operable gas equipment, and a commercial voucher-based exchange program that discounts purchases for landscapers, nonprofits and schools (discount caps vary by equipment type, up to $15,000 for ride-on mowers). “The residential electric lawn and garden rebate program offers rebates of up to $250 for the purchase of cordless battery electric equipment with the return of an operable gas or diesel-powered equivalent,” Koker Mowen said.

Staff emphasized one important local caveat: Manhattan Beach Municipal Code prohibits the operation of mechanical leaf blowers of any power source. The ordinance allows vacuum-style machines that collect debris rather than blow it outward. Ryan, the city’s code enforcement official, told council that enforcement is primarily reactive to complaints but that the city has increased proactive patrols and issues citations when officers observe violations; the standard citation fine begins at $250 and escalates on repeat offenses.

Council directed staff to develop an outreach plan that could include social media, city website links to AQMD information, newsletter items, utility-bill mailers, targeted contact with licensed landscapers, and presence at city events. Council members stressed the need for clear messaging — both to promote cleaner equipment and to avoid confusion that electric blowers are universally permitted in Manhattan Beach.

The council passed the motion 5–0 and asked staff to return with materials and an implementation timeline.