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Learn how the Air District is reducing wood smoke pollution in the Bay Area through restrictions on wood burning, and find out how you can help at home.
During the winter, smoke from residential wood burning is the leading cause of air pollution in the Bay Area. Small particles and toxic chemicals from wood smoke can cause serious health problems, especially in children, older adults, and those with heart or respiratory problems. To learn how wood smoke pollution can affect your health, visit the U.S. EPA’s Burn Wise Health Effects web page. To learn about the issues relating to wood smoke during the coronavirus pandemic, view the U.S. EPA's Wood Smoke and COVID-19 web page.
Adopted by the Board of Directors in July 2008 and revised in 2015 and 2019, Regulation 6, Rule 3: Wood-Burning Devices:
More information is available in the Wood-Burning Devices Rule Frequently Asked Questions(201 Kb PDF, 2 pgs, revised 3/12/2020).
There are some exemptions to the Wood-Burning Devices Rule, allowing people in a few instances to burn wood during a Spare the Air Alert wood-burning ban.
As noted above, anyone whose sole source of heat is a wood-burning device is required to utilize an EPA-certified device that is registered with the Air District for an exemption from the burn ban. An open hearth fireplace will not qualify for an exemption.
In the past, wood burning was banned on Winter Spare the Air Days between November and the end of February.
However, beginning in 2020, wood burning will be banned throughout the year when a Spare the Air Alert is called due to high levels of fine particulate pollution from sources such as residential wood smoke or wildfires.
To find out whether a Spare the Air Alert is in effect:
Since the Air District adopted the Wood-Burning Devices Rule, wood smoke pollution levels have decreased throughout the Bay Area. However, the terrain in certain areas can still trap smoke close to the ground, creating pockets of pollution that negatively impact public health.
To address these areas, the Air District developed the Model Wood Smoke Ordinance(126 Kb PDF, 13 pgs, revised 11/17/2015), which includes several options for reducing localized wood smoke. This model ordinance can be used by cities and counties to adopt or update ordinances, depending on the needs of the community. View the Quick Reference Guide(309 Kb PDF, 1 pg, revised 9/16/2014) for more information.
You can also view a table(662 Kb PDF, 1 pg, revised 10/3/2017) listing cities and counties that have adopted an older model wood smoke ordinance, along with key provisions of that ordinance.
Compliance & Enforcement
Compliance Assistance
415.749.4999 compliance@baaqmd.gov
Rule Development
415.749.4653 ruledevelopment@baaqmd.gov
Last Updated: 3/11/2020