Cleaner air for Birmingham: Smoke Control Order
Published: 2nd Mar 2026
Birmingham City Council has confirmed that a new Smoke Control Order will come into force on 23 March 2026.
The order strengthens protections for residents’ health and extends smoke control rules to the city’s waterways for the first time.
The new Smoke Control Order, made under powers introduced through the Environment Act 2021, which amended the Clean Air Act 1993, will apply to all homes, appliances and vessels across Birmingham.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Emissions of air pollutants in the UK statistics states domestic wood burning is now one of the largest sources of fine particulate pollution in the UK. It is responsible for 22% of PM2.5 emissions.
Even when wood is all natural, burning it releases fine particulate matter that harms health. These tiny particles can enter the lungs and bloodstream and are linked to respiratory and cardiovascular disease.
From 23 March 2026
- All properties and waterways in Birmingham will be within a Smoke Control Area.
- Residents and users of moored boat vessels, such as canal boats, will not be permitted to emit visible smoke from a chimney.
- Residents and canal boat users are only allowed to burn authorised fuels in an open fireplace or wood in an exempt appliance.
- Burning coal is not permitted in Birmingham.
Key information
The new Smoke Control Order does not mean wood burners are banned. It means you are only allowed to burn:
- authorised fuels in an open fireplace
- wood in an exempt appliance
Burning coal is not allowed in Birmingham.
We will investigate reports of:
- smoke from frequent domestic (residential) bonfires
- smoke from commercial premises
- smoke from a domestic (residential) chimney
- dark smoke from a chimney that lasts for more than 10 minutes (this allows for starting the furnaces)
- dark smoke from a bonfire
Penalties for breaking the rules
If you do not follow the rules in a Smoke Control Area and visible smoke is seen coming from your chimney (section 19A of the Clean Air Act 1993), we may issue a penalty (fine) of up to £300.
Appliances may give out small amounts of smoke (usually at start-up). If visible smoke is reported from your appliance, but you can prove it is compliant, you will not receive a fine.
We will also take action against improper fuel storage and non-certified fuels.
You can also be fined up to £1,000 by a magistrates' court if you obtain or sell ‘controlled’ (unauthorised) solid fuels (section 19B of the Clean Air Act 1993).
Support for people who own or live in boats
From 23 March 2026, vessels moored on Birmingham’s waterways may only burn authorised fuel, unless using an appliance approved by DEFRA (also known as an ‘exempt appliance’ or ‘DEFRA approved appliance’), in line with the requirements of the new Smoke Control Order.
If your current stove is not DEFRA-approved, you may need to change how you heat your vessel to comply with Smoke Control Area standards.
Eligible canal boat owners can apply for up to 70% reimbursement towards the cost of upgrading their stove, subject to meeting DEFRA’s eligibility criteria.
For details on eligibility and how to apply for the grant, email: pollution.team@birmingham.gov.uk.