Burning a wood stove in the garden. Is it allowed?
Like us, you also read reports in the media about municipalities introducing or wanting to introduce wood stove bans. If you want to fire a wood stove in the garden, for example under the canopy, you may be wondering if this is allowed. The answer is that you are allowed to fire your wood stove in the garden, but not in every municipality. In this article, we explain the current situation.
No national wood stove ban in the Netherlands. Not for in the garden either
Let’s start with the fact that there is no national, current wood stove ban in the Netherlands. Not for wood stoves inside nor outside. There are however a few national regulations you will have to consider.
You are only allowed to fire untreated and unpainted wood in a wood stove. It is not allowed to fire waste material
New wood stoves must comply with the EcoDesign 2022 directive. This stipulates that a new wood stove must have a minimum efficiency of 75% and may emit a maximum of 40 milligrams of particulate matter per cubic meter. All new Leenders stoves naturally comply with the EcoDesign 2022 guideline.
We also recommend taking the Stookwijzer into account. The Stookwijzer advises on when you can light your wood stove and when it is better not to. Although the Stookwijzer does not enforce a ban, it is still advisable to follow the advice.
Pay attention to municipal regulations
So there is no national wood stove ban. However, municipalities can decide on their own regulations regarding the firing of a wood stove. For example, the residents of Amersfoort have a wood stove ban when a code orange or red applies and the municipality of Utrecht has enforced a complete ban on the outside use of wood stoves as of January 1st 2025. Make sure to keep an eye on the regulations in your area.
Advice for firing wood in your garden
Finally, we want to give you some advice on how to safely fire in the garden while maintaining your neighbours friendship.
Make sure you have a safe surface. Place your wood stove on tile or gravel.
Let your wood stove burn out. Make sure your wood stove is burned out when you go back inside.
Use dried wood. Wet or even damp wood makes for unnecessary and unpleasant smoke. Read our article on which woodtypes are best to use.
Don’t fire your wood stove when it’s windstill or foggy as the smoke will linger longer. This isn’t pleasant for your neighbours. Follow the Stookwijzer.
Keep the wind direction in mind so the smoke won’t immediately blow into your neighbours garden.
In short, you’re allowed to fire your wood stove in the garden. Make sure you do this safely and keep your neighbours in mind
