Renovation and wood-burning fireplaces: what you need to know
The City of Montreal has adopted strict regulations regarding wood-burning fireplaces due to public health concerns related to the fine particles they emit. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified these particles as carcinogenic, and residential wood heating has been identified as a major contributor to winter smog.
Who is affected by this regulation?
Montreal homeowners:
All homeowners on the Island of Montreal with a fireplace or wood stove are covered by this regulation.
Owners not affected:
Fireplaces fueled by propane, natural gas, or pellets are not covered by these rules. Commercial businesses, such as pizzerias and bakeries, are also excluded.
What this regulation means for you
Mandatory declaration:
All owners of wood-burning fireplaces or stoves must declare their installations to the City of Montreal. Failure to comply with this obligation may result in fines.
New installations:
If you wish to install a new appliance, it must comply with the 2.5 g/h fine particle emission standard.
Non-compliant appliances:
Since October 1, 2018, owners of non-compliant appliances must replace them or make them less polluting. Alternatively, they can stop using them, except in the event of a power outage lasting more than three hours.
Risks of non-compliance
The City of Montreal by-law provides for fines that can be substantial:
First offense: between $100 and $500.
First repeat offense: up to $1,000.
Subsequent offenses: up to $2,000.
The situation elsewhere in Quebec
Although Montreal is the first major city in Quebec to adopt such a bylaw, other municipalities, such as the Town of Mount Royal, Beaconsfield, and others on the Island of Montreal, have also implemented rules to regulate wood heating.
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