Starting in January, Annapolis residents will see new bans on gas-powered leaf blowers and plastic bags take effect.

The ban on the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in the residential districts in Annapolis begins Jan. 1. The ban will update the city’s noise prohibition sections to ban “certain noise in residential areas, expanding enforcement, and addressing noise prohibitions in general,” according to the ordinance.

Residents can still buy and sell gas-powered leaf blowers in Annapolis — a move aimed at protecting local businesses — and electric-powered leaf blowers are allowed, according to the city.

A similar County Council bill aimed at leaving combustion engine-powered blowers behind in all of Anne Arundel County was introduced in July, but was withdrawn due to pushback from small businesses.

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The ordinance taking effect Wednesday also prohibits high-frequency sound in residential areas, except for events and activities that have permits. People can apply for permits through the Department of Public Works.

The Director of Planning and Zoning and police will enforce the ordinance, and violations could result in fines of $100 for the first offense and $200 for any offenses after, according to the ordinance. There’s a grace period of six months to comply with the ban.

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The next ban to begin in January is the Plastic Bag Reduction Act in Annapolis. Starting Jan. 22, retailers cannot distribute plastic bags and must charge 10 cents for each store-provided paper bag that a shopper uses when they check out, according to the ordinance.

Be sure to bring reusable bags when shopping in Annapolis. The ban is meant to minimize plastic waste to protect the environment and encourage sustainability, according to the city.

For retailers that do not comply, the first offense will result in a fine of $500. For all subsequent offenses, fines will be $1,000, according to the city. Fines are limited to one per week.

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Plastic bags as shelf items, such as trash bags, do not fall under this ordinance.

The city’s ban comes after the county’s Plastic Reduction Act went into effect Jan. 1, 2024, but it did not cover Annapolis.