Air quality

If you live in a smoke control area, you must not produce smoke from your chimney unless you use an approved smokeless fuel or an exempt appliance. These rules help reduce air pollution and improve air quality for everyone.

You can check whether your property is in a smoke control area using our online maps. If your home is within one of these areas, you can still enjoy a fireplace or stove as long as you follow the smoke control rules.

Check if your property is affected

Use our maps to find out if your property is located in a smoke control area.

If you are in a smoke control area, you must:

• use authorised smokeless fuels, or
• use an exempt appliance that meets legal requirements

You should also read the smoke control area rules before using a fireplace, stove or other solid fuel appliance.

Reduce smoke and pollution

Whether or not you live in a smoke control area, you must make sure that smoke from your chimney does not affect neighbouring properties.

This includes smoke from:

• domestic chimneys
• wood-burning stoves
• chimineas
• garden bonfires

Excessive smoke can cause nuisance, affect air quality and lead to complaints.

Report a smoke problem

If smoke from a domestic chimney is causing a problem, you can report it to our Environmental Services team.

You can:

• report smoke from a domestic chimney using our online form
• contact Environmental Services if you would like advice or wish to speak to an officer

Related information

• check smoke control area maps
• read the smoke control area rules
• report smoke from a domestic chimney