New Canaan’s newly adopted ban on the summer use of gas-powered leaf blowers is not in effect, officials say, as opponents have filed for a referendum vote on the measure.
The Town Council’s ordinance “is on hold until the referendum process is completed,” according to Town Clerk Claudia Weber.
“I have received a few calls from residents who thought the ordinance was in effect, and I would like to get the word out that the ordinance is on pause until the referendum process plays out,” Weber said.
The Town Council, New Canaan’s legislative body, voted 8-4 in favor of a seasonal ban at its May 20 meeting. On May 27, a “A Notice of Intent to Petition,” containing the required 50 qualifying signatures, was received by Weber’s office. It came in prior to the required seven-day deadline from the publication of the corresponding legal notice (on May 28).
“An approved ‘Petition for a Referendum’ has been given to the petitioners,” Weber said. They now must file their petition—with 701 qualifying signatures—by June 26 with the Town Clerk, she said.
“If those requirements aren’t met, the process stops, and a referendum will not be held,” she said.
Otherwise, once the signatures have been verified, the Town Council has 30 days from the date of the filing with the Town Clerk (of the Petition for a Referendum) in which to set the date and hold the referendum.
The number of votes required to overrule the Town Council’s action must be the majority of votes and must be equal to, or at least, 15% of the electorate as in the last completed voters’ list.
The question that has been approved for both the petition and ballot is: “Shall the May 20, 2026 action of the Town Council approving an ordinance entitled ‘Gas Powered Leaf Blowers,’ which sets certain restrictions on their usage, be upheld?” As such, a “yes” vote supports the Town Council action and makes the ordinance effective, while a “no” vote overrules the legislative body and makes the ordinance null and void.
Only registered electors in the town of New Canaan are eligible to vote, Weber said.