York Becomes Citywide Smoke Control Area from November 1
New regulations aim to improve air quality and public health by controlling smoke from solid fuel burning across the entire city.
By Leah Sutcliffe
••3 min read
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Generic image of a 'Ready to Burn' logo on a stack of logs.
From November 1, 2026, the entire city of York will operate under a comprehensive Smoke Control Area, introducing stricter regulations on burning solid fuels to improve air quality and public health.
The decision, approved earlier this year by City of York Council, extends existing rules to cover the whole city, making them easier to understand and helping to reduce harmful smoke particles, particularly PM2.5. These fine particles can negatively impact health by entering the lungs and bloodstream.
The new measures are not a ban on wood-burning stoves or open fires. Residents can continue to use them provided they adhere to specific rules: prolonged smoke from chimneys will be limited to 15 minutes after lighting a fire; open fires must use authorised smokeless fuel; wood should be dry and seasoned, ideally bearing the "Ready to Burn" logo; and wood can still be burned in DEFRA-approved stoves.
These regulations do not apply to outdoor barbecues, chimineas, garden fire pits, or bonfires, which are subject to separate legislation. The council's initial focus will be on educating residents about the changes. However, repeated non-compliance after receiving advice could result in a fine of up to £300.
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"From 1 November, the same smoke control rules will apply across the whole of York. This change will help improve air quality and support better health for everyone in our city. This is not about saying people can’t use stoves or open fires. It is about helping people use the right fuel in the right way, so we can all benefit from cleaner air."
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"Solid fuel burning accounts for nearly a third of PM2.5 emissions in York. There are no safe levels of these particles - they harm everyone, especially children and older people. Expanding the Smoke Control Area is a proportionate, evidence-based step to protect health and reduce preventable deaths."
Residents can find more information, check stove approvals, and learn about permitted fuels on the City of York Council website. The council acknowledges that solid fuel heating is important for winter warmth and reiterates that the rules focus on correct fuel and appliance usage. Support for energy efficiency and home heating is available through York Energy Advice, YorEnergy, and the council's Home Energy Efficiency Team.
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"Many respiratory conditions, including asthma and COPD, can be worsened by poor air quality. PM2.5 particles from wood smoke can travel deep into the lungs and bloodstream and have been linked to serious health problems. Cleaner air helps protect everyone, particularly children, older people and those living with respiratory conditions."
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"Wood burning can make homes cosy and warm, but it's also the most polluting way to heat our homes. Particles which are too small to see, known as PM 2.5 are emitted, which then enter our lungs, blood stream and other organs. Air pollution adversely impacts human health throughout the life course. But children are particularly vulnerable, because exposure to air pollution during gestation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence affects developing organs, and increases the risk of chronic disease in adulthood. Expanding the Smoke Control Area is a step in the right direction, to reduce the inhalation of air pollution. This won't mean people can't use log burners anymore, but instead, must check that the correct fuel is being used, in the correct way."
Based on information from the official source: City of York Council (27/10/2026)
