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california wood burning fireplace law

by Trevor Rath Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Wood-Burning Devices Rule
Makes it illegal to use any wood-burning devices (such as fireplaces, woodstoves, or pellet stoves) when fine particulate pollution is forecast to exceed federal health standards and a Spare the Air Alert is in effect.

Are wood-burning fireplaces legal in California?

Can You Use Wood-Burning Fireplaces in California? You can use a wood-burning fireplace in some California districts on most days, but it becomes illegal to do so in your area on no-burn days, which typically occur during the winter.

Are you allowed to burn wood in your fireplace?

You cannot burn wood or coal in an open fire in London e.g. in a basket or insert fire. However, you can burn smokeless fuel which is manufactured to produce less smoke. Smokeless fuel is still a fossil fuel and therefore not renewable. You can burn wood in London in a DEFRA approved appliance.

Can you add a fireplace to a house in California?

First of all, you need to be aware of local regulations. In Southern California, in both Orange and Los Angeles counties, you cannot add an open-hearth wood-burning fireplace to an existing home, due to air quality concerns. Thus any new open-hearth fireplace must have a gas or alcohol-fueled log set.

Are vent free fireplaces allowed in California?

Vent-Free fireplaces have been very controversial in the fireplace industry for over decades. Many argue that these fireplaces are unsafe. In fact, in 1996, they were banned by Alaska, Montana, Minnesota, New York, and Massachusetts, however, after strong influence by the industry, all but California still bans them.

What are you allowed to burn in your fireplace?

So long as you burn DEFRA-approved fuels, you're free to hygge-up your hearth to your heart's content. A list of approved fuels can be found here but basically, if it's smokeless, you're good to go. Crucially, though, wood and standard house coal is banned — unless you're using an exempt appliance.

Can you still burn logs?

Under the new legislations about the type of fuel you can use in your wood burner, only kiln-dried logs are allowed to be burned due to their low moisture, which means they'll last longer and slower burning wood fuel and a slow-burning fire.

Can I install a wood stove in California?

California Laws Regulating Fireplaces There are no California statewide laws regulating wood-burning stoves and fireplaces beyond those found in most other states and issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, but various municipalities have their own regulations.

Can you have a fireplace without a chimney?

Have you been dreaming about a fireplace but your home doesn't have a chimney for it? Modern ventless fireplaces, the perfect solution if you want to have a fireplace in your house, apartment, or a condo without a chimney. These vent-free fireplaces provide a convenient, low-cost alternative to traditional fireplaces.

How much does it cost to install a wood-burning fireplace?

If you're installing a wood-burning fireplace insert, you'll pay between $700 and $6,500. But if you're constructing and installing a wood-burning fireplace from scratch, you could pay upwards of $30,000. Higher numbers are more likely if you need foundation work to hold up the weight of a new fireplace.

What type of fireplace is legal for California?

Permanent wood-burning devices in any new residential developments are banned, and those with wood-burning fireplaces are subject to mandatory “no-burn” days when high pollution levels are forecast during the season.

Why does California ban ventless fireplaces?

Ventless fireplaces are often restricted or illegal because of safety concerns, specifically due to the fact that they might introduce noxious combustion by-products into your home's air supply.

Can you have an outdoor fireplace in California?

Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and similar devices fueled by natural gas or liquefied-petroleum gas are allowed when approved by the Building Department and the device is designed to only burn a gas flame and not wood or other solid fuel.

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