S 3029Cities & Towns

Towns and Cities - General Powers

Cities cannot ban gas-powered landscaping equipment unless voters approve it in a referendum, though existing bans remain valid.

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Introduced Mar 5, 2026Committee Senate Housing & Municipal Government

Plain-English Summary

This legislation restricts the ability of cities and towns to ban or limit the use of landscaping equipment, such as leaf blowers and lawnmowers, based solely on the type of fuel they use (for example, gasoline). While municipalities retain the right to regulate noise levels and hours of operation, they cannot institute a ban on specific fuel types unless the measure is approved by a majority of voters in a local referendum. The bill also includes a "grandfather" clause, meaning any bans already in effect before this law passes remain valid.

For younger readers

This new rule says that towns cannot tell people they are not allowed to use gas lawnmowers or leaf blowers. Towns are still allowed to stop people from using them if they are too loud or are used too late at night. However, if a town already has a rule against gas machines, they can keep it. Also, if the people in a town vote in an election and say they want to ban them, then the town is allowed to do it.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Landscaping businessesHomeownersMunicipal governmentsEquipment retailersEnvironmental advocacy groups

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Ensures that any decision to ban equipment is made through a direct democratic process (referendum), giving the community a direct voice.
Protects small, independent landscaping businesses, often owned by immigrants or working-class individuals, from the immediate financial burden of replacing expensive equipment.
Includes a grandfather clause that preserves existing environmental ordinances already enacted by progressive municipalities.
Undermines local government authority to promptly address climate change and air pollution concerns within their jurisdictions.
Perpetuates the use of fossil-fuel-powered equipment, which contributes to noise pollution and poor air quality in dense neighborhoods.
Creates a financial and procedural barrier (the cost of a referendum) for towns wishing to enact health and environmental standards.

For Conservatives

Protects consumer choice and property rights by preventing local governments from arbitrarily banning specific types of technology.
Safeguards small businesses from burdensome government mandates that would require costly equipment upgrades.
Checks the power of city councils by requiring voter approval before restricting the sale or use of legal products.
Legitimizes the restriction of private property rights if a simple majority of voters decides to ban the equipment via referendum.
Allows existing bans to remain in place, creating an inconsistent regulatory environment where citizens in different towns have different rights.
Permits municipalities to potentially circumvent the intent of the law by using strict noise or hour regulations to effectively ban equipment.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 28 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 45-2 of the General Laws entitled "General Powers" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 45-2-71. Regulation of powered landscape equipment.

(a) Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this section, and notwithstanding any provision of a municipal charter, ordinance, rule, or regulation to the contrary, no city or town shall enact or enforce any ordinance or regulation that prohibits, bans, or otherwise restricts the sale, purchase, ownership, or use of powered landscape equipment, based solely upon the type of fuel or power source used in the operation of such equipment.

(b) For purposes of this section, “powered landscape equipment” shall include, but not be limited to, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, edgers, and similar outdoor maintenance equipment, whether powered by gasoline, diesel, electricity, battery, or other energy source.

(1) Reasonable, content-neutral noise regulations of general applicability;

(2) Restrictions on hours of operation applicable to all powered equipment; or

(3) Regulations necessary to address public safety concerns, provided such regulations do not effectively prohibit the use of powered landscape equipment based on fuel type.

(d) No municipality shall adopt any changes in their regulation of power equipment, including a change in what type of power equipment can be used within its jurisdiction unless the changes have been approved by a majority of those voting in the municipality's referendum.

(e) Grandfathering. Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, any ordinance or regulation of a city or town that was duly adopted and in effect prior to the effective date of this section and that prohibits or restricts powered landscape equipment, based on fuel or power source, including any municipal ban, shall remain valid and enforceable within that municipality; provided that, such ordinance or regulation is not amended, expanded, or reenacted after the effective date of this section.

(f) Any ordinance or regulation adopted, amended, expanded, or reenacted concerning the use of power equipment after the effective date of this section, that is inconsistent with the provisions herein shall be deemed null and void.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.