Those who own or operate residential indoor wood-burning appliances in Metro Vancouver will soon have to register with the government in order to continue using them.Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in Bylaw 1303 could lead to fines of up to $500, but residents will first be educated before any financial penalties are dealt.Beginning September 15, owners and operators of such appliances must register and commit to using "best practices," which include, among other things, ensuring visible emissions are only produced for 20 minutes within a four-hour period, only burning clean, seasoned wood, and not tossing garbage onto the flames.."Residential indoor wood-burning appliance" has been defined as a "fireplace or woodstove that burns or is capable of burning solid fuel to produce heat for heating indoor spaces or for aesthetic enjoyment for the occupants of a residence or an accessory building or structure, and from which combustion products are discharged to the air," and includes "a pellet stove, a masonry heater, a wood burning furnace, and a fireplace insert."Metro Vancouver made it clear that "unregistered devices will be prohibited from operation except during emergencies or if the device is the sole source of heat."Bylaw 1303 was first passed in 2020, and has been implemented in phases. Residents were first asked to register their appliances in 2022, with the more stringent requirements just now being rolled out..A ban on the use of indoor wood-burning appliances has also been put in place between May 15 and September 15 of each year, though those who rely on it as their sole source of heat or live in a low-income household can apply for an exemption.Metro Vancouver justified the decision to regulate residential indoor wood-burning appliances by pointing out that it is "the single largest contributor to harmful fine particle emissions in the Metro Vancouver region.""Fine particles are linked to negative health effects, particularly for the elderly, children, and people with chronic heart and lung issues," they added. "Although steps have been taken to reduce residential indoor wood burning emissions through voluntary measures, such as rebates for exchanging an old device for a new low-emission device and education campaigns, additional measures are required to reduce emissions."
