Woodburning Ordinance

What does the city code say?

Effective December 16, 1988, Littleton adopted a City Code to regulate woodburning. Most burning of solid fuel (wood, coal, etc.) is not allowed on declared HIGH POLLUTION DAYS. High Pollution Days occur when pollutants in the air reach levels that are hazardous to human health. The City of Littleton relies on the Colorado Department of Health to declare High Pollution Days.

Why do we need regulations?

During 1987-88, the Metro Denver Brown Cloud Study was undertaken to determine the sources of the winter "brown cloud". This study cost $1.5 million and was privately funded by contributions from interested businesses. The State Department of Health and EPA planned and helped conduct the study.

The study showed that during most of the winter, Denver enjoys good, clear air. When a brown cloud exists, there is no single cause. Nearly one-half of the pollution that causes the brown cloud comes from two primary sources: motor vehicles (22%) and woodburning (23%). Dust and particles created by chemical reactions were the other significant contributors. Very little of the brown cloud (1%) could be attributed to the Public Service Company power plants. As the result, major targets for tighter control are diesel emissions, gasoline engines and woodburning devices. The new Littleton regulations are meant to help control the pollution caused by woodburning.

Who is exempt?

City of Littleton's new code provides for certain exemptions from the ban. These are:

1. Owners of "Phase II" stoves which carry a Colorado Woodstove Compliance Certificate may apply at the City's Building Division, 2255 West Berry Avenue, for an Exemption Permit. The application must include the serial number of the stove. A fee of $25.00 is charged for the permit. The Exemption Permit is valid only for Phase II stoves which are properly operated and maintained and which do not emit visible smoke.
2. Exemption Notices are also available at no cost for residences which rely on wood or coal as their sole source of heat. This Exemption Notice is allowed if no other heating devise is installed in the residence. Exemption Permits and Notices must be displayed and be visible from the street.

How is the ban enforced?

Once an Exemption Permit for a Phase II stove has been issued, burning is allowed as long as City inspectors cannot see smoke emitting from the chimney. During daylight hours, the ban will be enforced by the City Building Division 303-795-3751. Nighttime enforcement will depend largely on complaints made to the Littleton Police Department 303-794-1551. If smoke is visible on a High Pollution Day, the City will assume there is a violation of the ban. The inspectors will then do one of the following:

1. If a sole source of heat exemption notice has been issued and the notice is visible, no further action will be taken.
2. If a Phase II Exemption Permit is visible, the inspector will wait 30 minutes (assumed start-up period). If the smoke remains visible, the resident will be contacted.
3. If smoke is evident and there is no visible sole source of heat Exemption Notice of Phase II Exemption Permit, the resident will be contacted.

What if I ignore the ban?

Any first time contact is a courtesy visit by the inspector to explain the purpose of the ban and to request voluntary compliance. Subsequent violations during the same burning season (October to March) may result in additional penalties. Should someone in possession of an EXEMPTION PERMIT be in violation three times in the same burning season, the exemption permit will be cancelled.