Fireplaces & Wood Stoves

Protection of air quality is important in Pitkin County. As a result, the county regulates the number of fireplaces and wood stoves that can be placed in buildings. Applicants for a building permit must file a fireplace / wood stove registration with the County's Building Department before a building permit will be issued.

To determine the regulatory requirements for your property, the first thing you will need to determine is the parcel's 12-digit identification number, or "Parcel ID." This number can be obtained from the Pitkin County Assessor's Office by calling 970-920-5160, or it can be searched online.

If the first 6 digits of your Parcel ID are in the following list, the property is in the former PM-10 Non-Attainment Area of the county (currently designated as an attainment / maintenance area).            

Parcel ID Number

  • 2641-31
  • 2643-26
  • 2643-27
  • 2643-34
  • 2643-35
  • 2643-36
  • 2735-01
  • 2735-02
  • 2735-03
  • 2735-10
  • 2735-11
  • 2735-12
  • 2735-13
  • 2735-14
  • 2735-15
  • 2735-22
  • 2737-06
  • 2737-07
  • 2737-08
  • 2737-17
  • 2737-18
  • 2737-19
  • 2737-20
  • 2737-21
  • 2737-28
  • 2737-29

If the first 6 digits of your Parcel ID are not listed above, the property is in the Attainment Area of the county.

Once you determine if your property is in the former Non-Attainment Area or the Attainment Area, you can determine the county's fireplace / wood stove requirements and obtain a Building Department registration form online.


Former Non-Attainment Area Requirements

The former Non-Attainment Area includes areas of the county near Aspen, including Mountain Valley, Red Mountain, Difficult Campground, T Lazy Seven Ranch, the AABC and parts of Starwood.

New Residential Building

The building may have either 2 gas log fireplaces or 2 certified wood stoves, or 1 of each. The building may also have an unlimited number of decorative gas appliances. Fireplaces and wood stoves cannot be installed.

Remodeling or Adding to Existing Residential Building

If the building has 2 or more fireplaces, wood stoves, gas log fireplaces, or certified wood stoves, the only devices that can be added are decorative gas appliances.

  • If the building has 1 fireplace, wood stove, gas log fireplace, or certified wood stove, then 1 gas log fireplace or 1 certified wood stove and an unlimited number of decorative gas appliances may be added.
  • If the building has more than 2 fireplaces, wood stoves, gas log fireplaces, or certified wood stoves, and one is affected by the remodel, it must be removed.

If the building has only 1 or 2 fireplaces, wood stoves, certified wood stoves, or gas log fireplaces:

  • If the firebox of a fireplace is altered, and there is already another fireplace or wood stove, the fireplace must be converted to gas logs or removed.
  • If a wood stove is moved, it must be removed or replaced with a certified wood stove.

Restaurant, Skier Service, and Lodge Buildings

Restaurants, skier service and lodge buildings may have 1 gas log fireplace and unlimited decorative gas appliances.

Coal may not be used as fuel in any solid fuel burning device.


Attainment Area Requirement

New Residential Building

The building may have 1 fireplace or wood stove and 1 gas log fireplace or certified wood stove. If there is no fireplace or woodstove, the building may have either 2 gas log fireplaces or 2 certified wood stoves, or 1 of each. The building may also have an unlimited number of decorative gas appliances.

Remodeling or Adding to Existing Residential Building

  • If the building has 1 fireplace or wood stove, 1 gas log fireplace or certified wood stove and an unlimited number of decorative gas appliances may be added.
  • If the building has more than 2 fireplaces or wood stoves, and if one is affected by the remodel, then it must be removed.

If the building has only 1 or 2 fireplaces, wood stoves, certified wood stoves, or gas log fireplaces:

  • If the firebox of a fireplace is altered, and there is already another fireplace or wood stove, the fireplace must be converted to gas logs, or removed.
  • If a wood stove is moved, it must be removed or replaced with a certified wood stove.

Restaurants, Skier Services, and Lodge Buildings

Restaurants, skier service and lodge buildings may have 1 gas log fireplace and unlimited decorative gas appliances.

Coal may not be used as fuel in any solid fuel burning device.


Definitions

  • "Certified wood stove" means a Colorado Phase III certified wood-burning device or a Phase II EPA certified wood stove.
  • "Decorative gas appliance" means a device utilizing natural gas as a fuel designed to appear as a real fireplace with a 4" - 5" Class B vent, fixed glass doors, and a fire box no deeper than 24".
  • "Fireplace" means a traditional wood burning fireplace.
  • "Gas log fireplace" means a fireplace designed and constructed to be serviced by natural gas, containing an approved gas log set, and not designed or intended for the combustion of any solid fuel, including wood.
  • "Wood stove" means a wood stove or other wood-burning device that is not a "certified wood stove."


Other Devices

Outdoor fire pits are not prohibited. Decorative or antique stoves that are not connected with a flue (and are therefore inoperative) are not considered wood stoves.