Solid fuel-burning stoves and fireplaces

Last updated July 27, 2020
RelatedAir QualityRenovation and Construction

Do you use a wood-burning heating system? Since 2015, the city has regulated the use of solid fuel-burning appliances in each of Montréal’s 19 boroughs. Learn more about this new by-law.

Heating with wood is among the leading causes of winter smog. Limiting the emission of fine particles into the atmosphere thus promotes better air quality and helps improve public health in Montréal. For this reason, residents are required to comply with this by-law. Those who do not will be liable to fines.

Solid fuel-burning appliances

Solid fuel-burning appliances include  stoves or fireplaces designed to burn wood logs or any other solid materials, such as ecological logs, pellets or coal. 

A gas or electric fireplace is not a solid-fuel burning appliance.

Mandatory certification

It is now prohibited to use a solid fuel-burning appliance unless it emits fewer than 2.5 grams of fine particles per hour, regardless of the fuel used. 

This emission rate must:

  • be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA)
  • or be compliant with Canadian standard CSA/B415.1-10

Please ensure that the technical specifications for your appliance mention one of these certifications and the number of grams emitted per hour.

Smog

In the event of smog, the use of all solid fuel-burning appliances, including certified appliances, is prohibited. Residents who fail to comply with this prohibition will be liable to fines. 

Subscribe to Environment Canada’s alerts so as not to miss any smog warnings, or check the weather forecast daily.

However, you are allowed to use your stove or fireplace, whether or not it is certified, if there is a power outage in your building lasting more than three hours.

Replace heating with wood

You can opt in favour of a natural gas, propane or ethanol fireplace or an electric stove.

Comply with the by-law

Before installing, replacing or removing a heating appliance that uses fuel (wood, coal, ecological logs, pellets, natural gas, oil, ethanol, propane), you must get a permit.

Once you receive the permit and the  installation, replacement or removal work is done, you must submit a declaration within 120 days (four months). Residents who fail to do so may be liable to a fine.

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