Lawn Equipment Ban

In January 2024, the State of California banned the sale of new small off-road engine-powered garden equipment (SORE), such as leaf blowers, lawn mowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, and small chainsaws.

In December 2023, Irvine City Council passed Ordinance No 23-25, which enacted a phased-out approach on the use of SORE gas equipment beginning July 1, 2024. 

Residential Lawn and Garden Equipment Rebate

The City of Irvine has partnered with South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to assist Irvine residents transition to zero-emission lawn and garden equipment. Residential lawn and garden equipment rebates are now available for Irvine residents. Each household can receive up to three rebates over the lifetime of the program, but only for different pieces of equipment. Rebate cannot exceed the purchase price of the equipment (excluding taxes and delivery).

See the Electric Lawn Equipment Rebate Program flier here.

Funding for Irvine Residents

  • The City of Irvine will fund the first two rebates.
  • The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) will fund the third rebate.
  • Each rebate is up to $250 per piece of equipment.

Eligible Equipment

  • Lawn mowers
  • Trimmers (string)
  • Leaf blowers
  • Chainsaws

Equipment Requirements

  • Must be battery-powered (no plug-ins)
  • Must be NEW (discounted battery-powered equipment is eligible if it is still new)

Recycling Requirement

  • Residents must recycle their gas lawn equipment by taking it to a certified scrapper or dismantler on the approved AQMD list, prior to applying for the rebate.
  • There are currently four approved dismantlers in Orange County:

    • LKQ Pick Your Part, 1235 S. Beach Blvd., Anaheim

    • SA Recycling, 3200 E. Frontera St., Anaheim

    • SA Recycling, 1804 W. 5th St., Santa Ana

    • LKQ Pick Your Part, 8188 Katella Ave., Stanton

View the full list of certified dismantlers here.

For questions or assistance, please contact SCAQMD at 888-425-6247.

Additional Resources

  • Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) Online Marketplace: If you are an OCPA customer, Irvine residents have access to discounted outdoor equipment at the OCPA Marketplace. 
  • Additional South Coast Air Quality Management District Incentives & Programs can be found here.

Resources

  • City of Irvine Ordinance No. 23-25, which was adopted December 12, 2023, is about the phased approach for prohibiting specific gas-powered lawn equipment. Learn more here.
  • The Orange County Power Authority offers rebates and discounts on electric tools for landscape maintenance.  To learn more, visit their website. 
  • The South Coast Air Quality Management District offers rebates for commercial landscapers and residents for a variety of equipment.  To learn more, visit their website. 
  • The California State Ban can be read here.