Protection of air quality is important in Pitkin County. As a result, the County regulates the number of fireplaces and woodstoves that can be placed in buildings. Applicants for a Building Permit must file a fireplace/woodstove 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 Assessors Office by calling (970) 920-5160, or it can be
searched online.If the first 6 digits of your Parcel ID are listed 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 Number2737-29 2735-22 2641-31 2643-36
2737-28 2735-15 2643-35
2737-21 2735-14 2643-34
2737-20 2735-13 2643-27
2737-19 2735-12 2643-26
2737-18 2735-11
2737-17 2735-10
2737-08 2735-03
2737-07 2735-02
2737-06 2735-01
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/woodstove requirements and obtain a Building Department registration form
online.Requirements for the Former Non-Attainment Area. The former Non-Attainment Area includes areas of the county near Aspen, like 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 woodstoves, or 1 of each. The building may also have an unlimited number of decorative gas appliances. Fireplaces and woodstoves cannot be installed.
Remodeling, or an addition to an existing residential building
- If the building has 2 or more fireplaces, woodstoves, gas log fireplaces, or certified wood stoves, the only devices that can be added are decorative gas appliances.
- If the building has 1 fireplace, woodstove, gas log fireplace, or certified woodstove, then 1 gas log fireplace or 1 certified woodstove and an unlimited number of decorative gas appliances may be added.
- If the building has more than 2 fireplaces, woodstoves, gas log fireplaces, or certified woodstoves, and one is affected by the remodel, it must be removed.
- If the building has only 1 or 2 fireplaces, woodstoves, certified woodstoves, or gas log fireplaces:
- If the firebox of a fireplace is altered, and there is already another fireplace or woodstove, the fireplace must be converted to gas logs, or removed.
- If a woodstove is moved, it must be removed or replaced with a certified woodstove.
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.Requirements for the Attainment Area
New Residential Building- The building may have 1 fireplace or woodstove and 1 gas log fireplace or certified woodstove. If there is no fireplace or woodstove, the building may have either 2 gas log fireplaces or 2 certified woodstoves, or 1 of each. The building may also have an unlimited number of decorative gas appliances.
Remodeling, or an addition to an existing residential building- If the building has 1 fireplace or woodstove, 1 gas log fireplace or certified woodstove and an unlimited number of decorative gas appliances may be added.
- If the building has more than 2 fireplaces or woodstoves, if one is affected by the remodel, it must be removed.
- If the building has only 1 or 2 fireplaces, woodstoves, certified woodstoves, or gas log fireplaces:
- If the firebox of a fireplace is altered, and there is already another fireplace or woodstove, the fireplace must be converted to gas logs, or removed.
- If a woodstove is moved, it must be removed or replaced with a certified woodstove.
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 Woodstove means a Colorado Phase III certified wood-burning device, or a Phase II EPA certified woodstove.
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.
Woodstove means a woodstove or other wood-burning device that is not a "certified woodstove".
Other Devices
Outdoor Fire Pits are not prohibited.
Decorative or Antique Stoves which are not connected with a flue (and are therefore inoperative) are not considered "woodstoves".
Information on Approved Residential Burning Devices
Colorado Certified Residential Burning Devices:
www.cdphe.state.co.us/ap/down/coloradoapprovedstoves
This list only includes pellet stoves and masonry heaters. For other approved stoves, see the EPA link below.
EPA Certified Residential Burning Devices:
www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/monitoring/caa/woodstoves/certifiedwood
Information on Health Effects of Wood Smoke:
www.epa.gov/burnwise