Smoke Control area consultation

A Smoke Control Area (SCA) is an area where:

• you must not emit smoke from a chimney
• you can only burn authorised fuel (for example. smokeless fuel) unless you use an appliance approved by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). These appliances are known as 'exempt’ appliances
• wood can only be burned in an appropriate DEFRA approved 'exempt’ appliances or stoves

The rules around smoke control areas are set out in the Clean Air Act 1993.

The Clean Air Act 1993 only relates to visible smoke from chimneys attached to buildings.

Within a Smoke Control Area:

• you may have to pay a penalty of up to £300 if your chimney releases smoke in a smoke control area
• you can be fined up to £1,000 if you buy unauthorised fuel to use in an appliance that’s not approved by DEFRA. You must not buy or sell unauthorised fuel, such as wood, for use in a smoke control area unless it's used in an 'exempt' appliance

The rules for smoke control areas do not apply to:

• outdoor barbecues or chimineas
• outdoor fireplaces, firepits or pizza ovens
• garden bonfires

Complaints relating to these are dealt with under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Also see

• Authorised fuels and exempted fireplaces
• Air pollution