Cold Spring

Ban status

Equipment-specific decibel + hours framework. Village Code Chapter 76 (Noise) §76-9 lists "leaf blowers" by name as one example of Power Equipment subject to: (1) hours rule — operation prohibited outdoors 9 p.m. – 7 a.m. weekdays, 9 p.m. – 8 a.m. weekends/holidays; and (2) decibel caps during daytime hours — 75 dB(A) at 50 ft for power equipment rated ≤5 hp; 82 dB(A) at 50 ft for power equipment rated >5 hp. The 75 dB(A) at 50 ft cap is at the edge for handheld GLBs (typical ~70-75 dB(A) at 50 ft) and is exceeded by commercial backpack blowers (typical ~75-80 dB(A) at 50 ft). NO fuel-source distinction.

Research & citations

• The Current — Wide Angle: Dirty and Loud (2023-10-06) — The Current (Highlands Current), 2023-10-06
  Brian PJ Cronin reporting that documents the City of Beacon §149-6 60 dB(A) residential daytime cap and the leaf-blower-and-lawn-equipment exemption from same; also covers Cold Spring's 75 dB cap.
• Village of Cold Spring — Code Chapter 76 (Noise) PDF — Village of Cold Spring, 1993-07-22
  Codified Cold Spring noise ordinance with §76-9 power-equipment hours and dB caps explicitly naming leaf blowers.
• Village of Cold Spring — Introductory Local Law No. 01 (Chapter 76 rewrite) — Village of Cold Spring
  Recent rewrite of Cold Spring Chapter 76 (Noise) — power equipment hours, dB caps, and definitions.