New Wood Burning Fireplaces and Wood Burning Heater Rules

On July 17, 2003, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (Air District) adopted amendments to Rule 4901 – Wood Burning Fireplaces and Wood Burning Heaters.  The rule amendments added a number of new requirements, including those that apply to the number and type of wood burning devices installed in new developments.

To summarize, effective January 1, 2004, Rule 4901 requires that:

·        In new residential developments with a density greater than two (2) dwelling units per acre no person shall install a wood-burning fireplace.

·        In new residential development with a density equal to or greater than three (3) dwelling units per acre, no person shall install more than two (2) EPA Phase II Certified wood burning heaters (wood-stove, pellet-stove, or wood-burning insert) per acre.

·        No person shall install more than one (1) wood burning fireplace or wood-burning heater in each new dwelling unit.

·        A new residential development is defined as any single or multi-family housing unit, for which construction begins on or after January 1, 2004.  Construction has begun when the foundation for the structure is constructed.

The District would appreciate your assistance in ensuring compliance with the new requirements and informing the building community of the new requirements.

The rule in its entirety can be viewed at www.valleyair.org.  If you have any comments or questions please feel free to contact me at our Fresno office at 559-230-5950..