Wood burner rules in 2026: what applies now and what is proposed
No, wood burners are not being banned. You can still buy, install and use a wood burning stove in the UK, including in smoke control areas, as long as you follow the rules on the stove and the fuel.
What has changed is the detail. The rules on what fuel you can buy have tightened since 2021, and in early 2026 Defra consulted on stricter limits for new stoves. Below we set out what applies today, what has only been proposed, and what that means for anyone thinking about a log burner this winter.
This guide covers England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland set some of their own wood burner rules, so check with your local council if you live there.
What applies today
Three sets of rules apply in England now. None of them stops you using a wood burner, but each affects which stove and which fuel you can use.
Smoke control areas
Most towns and cities in England are smoke control areas. Inside one, you cannot let smoke come from your chimney unless you either burn an authorised smokeless fuel or use a DEFRA exempt appliance (often called a DEFRA approved stove). Local councils can issue a fine of up to £300 for smoke from a chimney in a smoke control area.
If you live outside a smoke control area, these limits do not apply, but the fuel rules below still do.
Ready to Burn fuel rules
Since May 2021, wood sold in bags or units under 2 cubic metres must have a moisture content of 20% or less and carry the Ready to Burn logo. Since May 2023, traditional house coal can no longer be sold in England.
These rules control what can be sold. They exist because wet wood and house coal produce far more smoke and particulates than dry, seasoned or kiln dried logs.
DEFRA exempt appliances and Ecodesign
A DEFRA exempt stove has been tested and approved for use in smoke control areas when burning wood. Since January 2022, every new stove sold in Great Britain must also meet Ecodesign emissions standards.
For the full detail, see our guide to DEFRA approved stoves and smoke control areas.
What is proposed (not yet law)
Updated 27th October 2026. Defra ran a public consultation from 22 January to 19 March 2026 on tightening the rules for domestic burning. The proposals include:
- Stricter emission limits for new stoves sold in future
- Clearer labelling of solid fuels
- Higher penalties for breaking smoke control rules
As of October 2026, the government has not published its response. Nothing in the consultation has become law, and the emission limits proposed apply to new stoves sold in future. We will update this page when Defra responds.
Is there a wood burner ban in 2027?
No. There is no law that bans wood burners in 2027, and no date has been set for one. The searches for a "2027 ban" come from coverage of the 2026 consultation, which proposed tighter standards for new stoves and fuel rather than a ban on using a stove.
If you are buying a stove this winter, the safest choice is a DEFRA exempt, Ecodesign stove burning Ready to Burn or kiln dried logs. That combination meets today's rules in and outside smoke control areas, and it is the standard the proposals are moving towards.
Do you need planning permission for a wood burner?
Usually not. Fitting a stove inside your home is normally permitted development, but the installation must meet Building Regulations, either through a HETAS registered installer or your council's Building Control.
You may need planning permission or other consent if:
- Your home is a listed building
- You live in a conservation area and the flue would sit on a wall or roof facing the road
- You live in a flat, where you will also need the freeholder's permission
If in doubt, ask your local planning office before you order. See our post on building regulations for stoves for the installation rules.
How to check your own situation
- Find out if you live in a smoke control area. Use the postcode checker on GOV.UK or ask your local council.
- If you do, choose a DEFRA exempt stove or plan to burn only authorised smokeless fuel.
- Buy Ready to Burn or kiln dried logs, or season your own wood to below 20% moisture. A moisture meter will tell you.
- Check planning permission if your home is listed, in a conservation area or a flat.
- Use a HETAS registered installer so the installation is certified.
Our guide to DEFRA approved stoves and smoke control areas goes through each step in detail, and you can browse every DEFRA exempt model in our DEFRA stoves collection.
Sources
Link each of these where it is cited. URLs were not checked when this draft was written, so confirm each one before publishing.
- Defra consultation on domestic burning (22 January to 19 March 2026), GOV.UK
- Smoke control areas: the rules, GOV.UK
- House of Commons Library briefing CBP-10543
- HETAS
- Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020, for the Ready to Burn and house coal rules
