Wood Burning Fireplaces

Background

On December 1, 1997, the City of Scottsdale, together with most municipalities in Maricopa County, adopted a Clean-burning Fireplace Ordinance. The purpose of the ordinance is to reduce emissions of fireplaces, woodstoves and other solid fuel burning devices to reduce the amount of air pollution caused by particulate matter and carbon monoxide.

Applicability

This ordinance applies to all fireplaces, wood stoves and other solid fuel burning devices constructed or installed after December 31, 1998.

The following installations are not regulated by this ordinance and are NOT prohibited by this ordinance:

  1. Furnace, boilers, incinerators, kilns, and other similar space heating or industrial process equipment.
  2. Cookstoves, barbecue grills, and similar appliances designed primarily for cooking.
  3. Fire pits, barbecue grills, and other outdoor fireplaces.

    4. *Please be advised, permits may be required.

All fireplaces, woodstoves and other solid fuel burning devices permitted after December 31, 1998, are required to meet the requirements of this ordinance.

All residential and commercial burning is subject to “No Burn Day” restrictions by Maricopa County Ordinance P-26 and Maricopa County Rule 314.

Installation Restrictions

After December 31, 1998, no person, firm or corporation shall construct or install a fireplace or a woodstove, and the City of Scottsdale will not approve or issue a permit to construct or install a fireplace or a woodstove, unless the fireplace or woodstove complied with one of the following.

  1. A fireplace which has a permanently installed gas or electric log insert.
  2. A fireplace, woodstove, or other solid-fuel burning appliance which has been certified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as conforming to 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part SO, Subpart AAA as in effect on July 1, 1990
  3. A fireplace, woodstove or other solid-fuel burning appliance which has been tested and listed by a nationally recognized testing agency to meet performance standards equivalent to those adopted by 40 Code of Federal Regulations part 60. Subpart AAA as in effect on July 1, 1990
  4. A fireplace, woodstove or other solid-fuel burning appliance which has been determined by the Maricopa County Air Pollution Control Officer to meet performance standards equivalent to those adopted by 40 Code of Federal Regulations part 60, Subpart AAA as in effect on July 1, 1990
  5. A fireplace which has a permanently installed woodstove insert which complies with subparagraphs 2, 3, or 4 above. 

Should you have any questions regarding this ordinance, please contact the Building Code Hotline at 480-312-2633.

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