...or maybe that's "LEAF"...

You can rake leaves any time, but if you want to use a leaf blower (the noisy power kind) you must follow the Cambridge City Council’s NEW ordinance which applies to all residents, businesses, property owners, and Gnomes. (Some large property owners may be eligible for some exemptions.)

This means you have to wait till March 15th.
You are only allowed to blow leaves between March 15 and June 15 and then again between
September 15 and December 31 only between these hours:

• Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Columbus Day: 12 noon – 5:00 p.m.
• Veteran’s Day: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

You are NOT allowed to blow leaves between January 1 – March 14; and
June 16 – September 14; AND not allowed to blow leaves on any Sundays or Legal holidays, except for Columbus Day and Veterans Day

Some guidelines:

• Use ear, eye, and respiratory protection.
• Don’t blow leaves near people, especially children. (Dust and debris can trigger allergies, asthma, or other respiratory illness.)
• Respect neighbors’ preferred quiet times.
• Don’t blow leaves at open windows or doors.
• Try not to use leaf blowers within 10 feet of windows or doors.
• Don’t blow leaves onto adjacent property, street, catch basins, gutters, people or pets.
• Do not use blower to move large mounds of debris.
• Do not blow construction dust, plaster dust, or dry soil.
• Use rakes or brooms for heavier debris and to loosen debris from corners and edges.

So you have till June 15th to get all that yard work finished, or you can try to find some willing gnomes to help (they love power tools but don't let them near your hedge trimmers!)

For more info please contact the City Manager’s Office at 617-349-4300 or at leafblowers@cambridgema.gov.
PS all leaf blowers cannot be louder than 65 decibels and must meet current EPA emissions standards.