Washington has rules about using, installing, and selling wood stoves and other wood burning devices, as well as the smoke they create. Before you burn wood for heat, check for a burn ban.
How to operate your wood stove more efficiently (video). An air quality burn ban is usually called during colder months when air pollution from wood smoke gets unhealthy. This kind of burn ban does not apply to homes with no other source of heat.
Washington regulates which wood stoves and other wood burning devices can be sold, resold, exchanged, or given away. These devices must meet both Washington and EPA standards for certification and labeling. For a device to be certified, it must meet the most protective emission performance standards that apply under state and federal law.
Wood smoke is one of the main sources of air pollution in Washington. Wood stoves, fireplaces, and other wood burning devices put out hundreds of times more air pollution than other sources of heat, such as natural gas or electricity. A person who uses wood for heat is at greater risk for respiratory illness. Learn more about how wood smoke harms your health.
Choosing a wood stove
Use a stove that is:
Certified in Washington
The right size for your home
Properly installed
Never install a non-certified wood stove.
Frequently asked questions
List of certified wood stoves and wood burning devices
Federal emission standards for wood stoves and pellet stoves are now more protective than Washington standards. All other wood burning devices must still meet Washington standards.
Type of Device
Washington PM2.5 Limit
EPA PM2.5 Limit
Wood stoves
use EPA limit
• 2.0 grams per hour (tested with crib wood)1
• 2.5 grams per hour (tested with cord wood)
Pellet stoves
use EPA limit
• 2.0 grams per hour (tested with crib wood)1
• 2.5 grams per hour (tested with cord wood)
• 2.5 grams per hour (catalytic)6
• 4.5 grams per hour (non-catalytic)7
0.15 pounds per MMBtu heat output for each individual burn rate
Wood-fired furnaces5
• 2.5 grams per hour (catalytic)6
• 4.5 grams per hour (non-catalytic)7
0.15 pounds per MMBtu heat output for each individual burn rate
1 Crib wood is lumber used specifically for wood burning emissions test methods. 2 Must also meet building code requirements (WAC 51-51-1004) 3 Must also meet building code requirements (WAC 51-51-1001) 4 Must also meet building code requirements (WAC 51-51-1002) 5 Must meet both Washington PM2.5 grams per hour limit and EPA PM2.5 pound per MMBtu limit 6 Catalytic devices use a ceramic element to reduce smoke. 7 Non-catalytic devices use other engineering to reduce smoke.
If you have questions about a wood stove grant, contact the local clean air agency for the county you live in.
All wood heaters (wood stoves, pellet stoves, etc.) made after 1939 must be emission tested by the manufacturer unless they meet the definition of a wood‑fired cook stove. (See information about wood‑fired cook stoves.) A heater that also bakes or cooks does not qualify as a wood‑fired cook stove.
To sell a wood heater
It must be tested at an EPA‑certified lab or third‑party certifier using either a Category A – EPA approved method or Category B – EPA approved alternative method. Note: Alternative Test Methods ALT‑125 and ALT‑127 are not valid alternative testing methods.
Make, model, and efficiency rating, PM2.5 emissions rating (grams per hour and pounds per MMBtu, if applicable)
Test summary
The wood stove coordinator will review the information and contact you if they need more information.Approved devices are listed in the "certified wood stoves" section.
Type of Device
Applicable PM2.5 Limit
More Information
Wood stoves, coal stoves, and corn stoves
use EPA limit:
• 2.0 grams per hour (tested with crib wood)1
• 2.5 grams per hour (tested with cord wood)
1 Crib wood is lumber used specifically for wood burning emissions test methods. 2 Must also meet building code requirements (WAC 51‑51‑1004),and be certified and labeled as outlined in ASTM E2558 3 Must also meet building code requirements (WAC 51‑51‑1001) 4 Must also meet building code requirements (WAC 51‑51‑1002),and either (a) meet requirements of ASTM E1602, or (b) be listed and labeled according to UL 1482 or CEF 15250 5 Catalytic devices use a ceramic element to reduce smoke. 6 Non‑catalytic devices use other engineering to reduce smoke.
We don't regulate installation of wood stoves.
Talk to your local building permit department to meet their requirements.
Removing an uncertified wood stove is not required when you are buying or selling a house.
To help protect air quality, we encourage you to use cleaner home heating options, such as electric or natural gas. Recycle an uncertified wood stove.
Selling an uncertified wood stove is illegal. Wood stoves are certified when they are manufactured. A homeowner cannot apply to certify their wood stove.
Burn only wood. — Illegal materials include garbage, treated or painted wood, particle board, plastic, rubber, animal carcases, asphalt products, waste petroleum products, paint, chemicals, or anything that emits dense smoke or unacceptable odors.
Burn dry, seasoned wood. — Use wood that has been split, covered, and stacked for at least one year. Test the moisture in your wood using a moisture meter.
Let air in. — Don't overfill your stove with wood or damp down your fire. This robs the fire of oxygen, produces less heat, wastes wood, and creates more smoke.
Make the least possible smoke. — A properly burning fire will emit very little smoke. Smoke coming from your chimney should be no more than 20 percent opacity (how much you can see through the smoke).
Consider other heating options before you buy or install a wood stove. Natural gas and electricity are much cleaner ways to heat your home. Use a wood stove or fireplace that is certified in Washington, the right size, and properly installed.
Many cities, counties, housing authorities, and utility companies offer grants, low-interest or interest-free loans, and/or free weatherization and conservation programs. Check with your local clean air agency for more information.
General smoke standards: You cannot operate a solid fuel burning device that harms health, safety, or welfare of people or property. You must burn in a way that reduces odors that could bother others. (WAC 173-433-130)
Stage 1 — No use of uncertified wood stove or fireplace, unless a wood stove is the only source of heat.
Stage 2 — No use of wood stove, unless a wood stove is the only source of heat.
What is illegal to burn: You cannot burn garbage, treated or painted wood, particle board, plastic, rubber, animal carcases, asphalt products, waste petroleum products, paint, chemicals, or anything that emits dense smoke or unacceptable odors. (WAC 173-433-120)
Selling a wood stove: You cannot sell, exchange, or give away an uncertified wood stove or solid fuel burning device. (WAC 173-433-100)
Thick chimney smoke: You cannot burn if you create smoke that exceeds 20 percent opacity for more than 6 consecutive minutes. (WAC 173-433-110)
