City of Grand Junction Wood Burning Ordinance

Although the Mesa County Health Department has a voluntary "no burn" program, City Council passed Ordinance No. 2981 to assist in improving air quality in the City of Grand Junction. The ordinance has implemented a mandatory "no burn" requirement prohibiting the use of uncertified solid fuel buring devices on days of high pollution in the City.

There are two exemptions for this ordinance. The Code Enforcement Officer can issue an exemption if an owner makes application to the Code Enforcement Officer and takes an oath or affirms that such owner is a person whose sole source of heat for the home is a wood stove(s). Also, if the wood stove you have is EPA certified then you are able to burn on "no burn" days.

If you own or operate a wood stove or fireplace, it is your duty to be aware of any declaration of a high pollution (red) day by the Mesa County Health Department. Any wood burning device can be used on low pollution (blue) days. For Air Watch Advisory please call 248-6990 or visit their website at www.health.mesacounty.us.

Approved Wood Stoves

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, all new wood stoves sold after July 1, 1992 are certified by the EPA to be a clean burning stove. A sticker on the back of the wood stove bears the name of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. If your stove does not have this label, or if you do not know whether or not your existing wood stove is certified, call your local fireplace or stove shop for assistance.

For any transfer of ownership of property after September 1, 1997 where a wood stove is not EPA approved, the seller shall prior to any transfer of ownership: (a) replace the wood stove with a clean burning stove, (b) replace the wood stove with a gas stove, (c) remove the wood stove. Fireplaces do not require any action.