What Hours Are You Allowed To Use A Snowblower? Here's What To Know

If you live in a snow-prone area, you know that these pretty flakes can also cause big headaches. The more snowfall you get, the more challenging the clean-up. You also cannot just let the snow be from a safety (and even legal) standpoint, which is why many homeowners try to clean it from their driveways and walkways as soon as possible. This is where having the right tools for snow removal is essential. Shoveling snow is one option, but some people choose the easier option of using a snowblower. Before you rev up your own snowblower, though, it's important to consider the time of day, among other common mistakes to avoid with these machines. Some areas have rules for when you can use a snowblower so that the inevitable noise disturbs as few people as possible. You'll want to confirm these ahead of time to avoid potential fines (and not to mention, angry neighbors!). Although the rules vary extensively between localities, you will most likely be able to play it safe by only using your powered equipment between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. 

Snowblowers are certainly invaluable during the winter season, particularly if you live in a region that's at risk of seeing several inches of snow at once. These pieces of equipment can also be quite noisy, though. For this reason, snowblowers may be subject to local noise ordinance laws, similar to other loud machines like gas-powered leaf blowers. Such rules are in place to help prevent noise that might interfere with the health and well-being of others around you. 

The exact hours you are allowed to use a snowblower vary based on where you live in accordance with any noise ordinances that may be in place. If there are such laws in your area, chances are these will state that you cannot operate loud machines like snowblowers when most people might be sleeping at night or early in the morning. There might also be some variability on weekdays versus weekends, so it's a good idea to take note of any differences based on what day you need to operate your snowblower. As a general rule, you should be able to use the equipment in the late morning and throughout the afternoon, but be sure to confirm this with your city, county, or HOA, as appropriate.

It's not just timing you need to concern yourself with, either. Your area might have other rules that limit the use of a snowblower based on residential versus commercial areas. Others might also be experimenting with limiting the use of gas-powered snowblowers, which are arguably louder and bigger pollutants than electric versions. Don't let any of these restrictions discourage you from using a snowblower, though. It's just best to be prepared to follow any applicable rules so you can avoid the headaches associated with citations, fines, and other repercussions.

Also, make sure you're not using a snowblower for a situation where a shovel might work better. In most cases, you don't need to use a high-powered snowblower for anything below 2 inches of snow on the ground. Doing so can create excessive noise that's also unwarranted.