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.
As outlined in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Emissions of air pollutants in the UK statistics, domestic wood burning is now one of the largest sources of fine particulate pollution in the UK, responsible for 22% of PM2.5 emissions.
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.
Moored boat vessels
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.