Smoke Regulations
Wilkins Chimney Sweep guide to government regulations and smoke control areas.
Smoke Control Areas are places where the rules on burning fuel are a bit stricter to help keep our air clean and our neighbours happy. In these areas, it’s illegal to let smoke come from your chimney unless you’re using a DEFRA-approved appliance or authorised smokeless fuel.
Can I still have a solid fuel appliance?
Yes! Smoke Control Areas are places where the rules on burning fuel are a bit stricter to help keep our air clean and our neighbours happy. In these areas, it’s illegal to let smoke come from your chimney unless you’re using a DEFRA-approved appliance or authorised smokeless fuel.
Below is a guide to Smoke control areas, with helpful information, as well as links to the government websites.
What is a Smoke Control Area?
A Smoke Control Area (SCA) is a place (usually towns and cities) where it’s illegal to let smoke come out of your chimney unless:
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You’re using a DEFRA-exempt (approved) appliance, or
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You’re burning authorised smokeless fuel
Why do they exist?
Because smoke from chimneys:
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Worsens air quality
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Can harm health (especially lungs and hearts)
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Contributes to local pollution problems
The law aims to cut visible smoke, not ban fires.
How to stay compliant in a Smoke Control Area?
01
Use the right appliance
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Make sure your stove is DEFRA-exempt (approved) if you’re burning wood.
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Open fires or non-exempt stoves are much more restricted and often not suitable.
04
Keep your chimney and stove maintained
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Get your chimney swept regularly (at least once a year, often more if you burn a lot).
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A clean flue = better draw = less smoke = less particular matter
02
Burn the right fuel
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Use authorised smokeless fuels, or
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Burn dry, seasoned wood only in a DEFRA-exempt stove.
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Never burn wet wood, house coal, rubbish, or treated timber.
05
Burn smart
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Use small, hot fires rather than big, lazy, smoky ones.
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Don’t “slumber” the stove for long periods—it creates loads of smoke and pollution.
03
Don’t make smoke
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The rule is basically: no visible smoke from the chimney.
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Light fires properly, give them enough air, and don’t let them smoulder.
06
Check your local rules
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Most towns and cities are Smoke Control Areas.
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Your local council or chimney sweep can confirm what’s allowed where you live.
What is a DEFRA-exempt stove?
A DEFRA-exempt (or “DEFRA approved”) stove is designed to:
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Burn fuel more cleanly
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Produce far less smoke
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Be legal to use in Smoke Control Areas (with the right fuel)
If you live in or near a town/city, this is usually what you want.
Quick rule of thumb
DEFRA-approved stove + dry wood (or approved smokeless fuel) + good burning habits = you’re compliant
How Wilkins can help?
Your local Wilkins Chimney Sweep can advise whether your stove/appliance is compliant and how to burn as cleanly as possible — which helps you meet Smoke Control Area requirements.
Key Links and webpages
BurnRight – Smoke Control Areas (“Smokeless Zones”)
Explains that larger towns/cities have Smoke Control Areas (called smokeless zones), and stresses the importance of knowing the rules to avoid unknowingly polluting or breaking the law (you may be fined if you burn inappropriate fuel or use a non-exempt appliance).
Professional memberships
We take standards seriously, and one of the ways in which we demonstrate that is by operating to the practices laid out by our industry bodies.
HETAS (Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme) is the official body recognised by the government to approve biomass and solid fuel domestic heating appliances, fuels and services, including the registration of competent installers and servicing businesses.
Chimney sweeping is a largely unregulated industry but HETAS provides a ‘HETAS Approved Chimney Sweep’ registration. Chimney sweeps holding this qualification have been trained and taken an exam of competence. Their technical understanding of open fire and woodburner installations is considerable.