New Regulations for Wood Burning Fireplaces and Stoves
“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…”— The Christmas Song.
Ah, the joys of sitting in front of a wood burning fireplace! Enjoy it while you can: new Metro Vancouver bylaws will end this joyous winter pastime by 2025.
The timeline of restrictions:
2009
Metro Vancouver enacts a bylaw prohibiting the installation of new wood burning fireplaces in new homes in an effort to improve air quality by reducing fine particulate pollution. The bylaw did not apply to existing homes, however.
2019
The burning of wood for heating or cooking is banned in Metro Vancouver during the warmer months, from May 15 to September 15.
September 2022
All wood burning fireplaces or appliances must be registered with Metro Vancouver. Registration will only be accepted for fireplaces which meet performance standards, as outlined here: Metro Vancouver Bylaw . Open fires will not meet those standards.
September 2025
Unregistered fireplaces and appliances will not be permitted to operate, except during emergencies, or if the appliance is operated within a low-income household.