I've never heard about that in Nebraska!  I just heard an ad on the radio today from a local fireplace shop saying now is the time to get your new fireplace installed.  Ranging from gas inserts to wood burning, to pellet stoves.  Gas inserts are the most common nowadays in new construction because no one wants to cut wood.  Builders probably don't like them because they have to build an actual chimney and not just a vent out the side wall.  I've got two wood burners but don't use them much for heating purposes, just nice to have a crackling fire every once in a while.  Happy to have them though "just in case".... power outage, zombie apocalypse, etc. 

I knew something was up with this because all new fireplaces in rehabs are these gas kits. I have to agree as I don't think it is the same thing visually.

Are there really new EPA codes? OR just preferences for cleaner air?

But .... let's add how stupid this is because everyone now has a firepit in their backyard.

Even in Canada this is happening!

In Montreal, it is illegal, according to a bylaw passed in 2009, to install any device designed to burn wood in your home, with the exception of certain wood pellet burning stoves.

I have not heard of that; however since I read it on the internet it must be true.

     Air quality?   While Hillary and Cruz and Hollywood stars and the Global Elite criss-cross the skies in their personal jumbo jets? 

     Leave my fireplace alone!

Another useless regulation without a basis in science, but I guess it does have one good result, driving a few folks to make use of old homes rather than going for the new all the time.

No, I haven't had that as a reason for selecting existing homes vs. new. The biggest reason my customers may prefer existing homes is because they are in better locations.

Yeah, we are no longer allowed to install wood burning. Since I specialize in older homes, I'm surprised how often 'wood burning fireplace' is a draw.

Yep!  See Chapter 2 Page 13  Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA and Candice A. Donofrio 

Here in Florida, most new construction doesn't have fire places, it would be an option that most buyers don't choose in this area.

Only in Californy . . . LOL - yallz are restricting yourselves out of existence.
Folks love new construction here, but we also have LOTS of homes with woodburning fireplaces - insurance usually has fire marshal-blessing requirements. My favorite home builder here in town  says they are not aware of such a restriction and recently installed a woodburning FP in a new build without issue. I do know that there are 'no burn laws' in some areas but I don't think my county has them. What about Maricopa Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers ? I bet they do . . . GREAT Q!

So glad my 1950's home has wood burning fireplace. No plans to move

I have not Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA 

Have not heard that EPA regulation , but I have been in some custom built houses that have wood burning FP's , but the track homes are all gas pre fabs.

I've never really thought about it, but I certainly don't see any wood burning fireplaces in new construction.  They are either gas or electric.  Not surprised now that you bring it up.  

I've never heard of this.  Now, I'm curious and will need to do some research.  That being said, most of our homes are older.  I've only seen people asking about how to make their fireplace look nice...even if it doesn't work LOL.

It is odd. I never had a buyer who passed on a home just because a fireplace. I thought no one uses actually them in the Valley...:) 

That is news to me. Perhaps that is a California EP Law?

I've never heard of a new fireplace in new construction not burn wood!!! it must have been a gas insert.... 

No but I remember the smell of burning leaves in my neighborhood and now that smell is erased from young peoples memories.

I've encountered all gas fireplaces in new construction, but a lot of people don't seem to mind it.  No fuss, no muss, no bother with buggy wood.

Are smokers, BBQ's, fire pits and the Citronella torches next?

This has Sierra Club finger prints all over it.

Ryan, we have a gas fireplace that's been used maybe twice in 20 years. I've been wanting to remove it so maybe this will give me the impetus to do that. Conversely the outdoor fire pits have a very strong following in new construction. I'm not a s'more fan but I do tan some marhsmallows once in a while.

Not yetbut with the powers that be thinking they know best it could happen soon.

Ryan,

It may be a California regulation.  In Los Angeles, we had 2 wood burning fireplaces, and in Napa one.  Here both homes did also. We rarely used them, more often in Napa and not here.  They are one of those features that connote romance and cozing up from cold weather...A

Gas fireplaces are the way to go now a days for no muss or fuss and if explained win people over. New has its own appeal and pluses as does existing for those inclined.

No...I also have not heard of that fireplace restriction

This is crazy!! Haven't encountered but probably will :(.

No I haven't encountered this. In my area buyers like new construction over existing homes.

No, we hardly need fireplaces in SD, they're mostly for ambiance unless you live in our mountainous far East County.

No, that's a first for me Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA but it is understandable...until they outlaw that feature in older homes

Actually people in CA prefer not to mess with a fireplace. Mine is stocked with wood but I have not find opportunity in 4 years because of air quality restrictions.  They generate a lot of carbon footprint too.

CO has air-quality restrictions in place, and in, at least, a 7-county area there are days when uncertified burning devices -- regardless of fuel type (e.g. wood, pellets, gas) -- cannot be used regardless of whether they are in new construction or a resale, yet they can be used on non-action (as they call it) days. CO also restricts the sale and installation of new burning devices (fireplaces, stoves, etc., and again without regard to fuel type) which do not meet their certification requirements.

I'm not aware of any EPA ban against wood-burning fireplaces in new construction homes. The EPA did tighten the performance standards in Feb of 2015, but I see no overall prohibition against their sale, install, or use. 

I can certainly see new home builders opting to only install certified gas burning fireplaces or the like just because it's easier to limit options, but suspect that's the builder's choice (unless of course they're in a state or locale which imposes its own more restrictive requirements).

~~~~~~~~

{sigh} I DO miss the smell of burning wood and burning leaves. Those are favorite fall and winter scents for me. Is nostalgia worth the purported air-pollution? Probably not. 

This can be a problem, but around Denver we have many "no burn" days, and the wood fireplaces are less desirable now.

I do not think new homes have wood buring anymore.

Ryan,

Never had anything like that. New construction is preferred but here it is very expensive.

No.  Most people don't use the fireplaces they have ... it's not been an issue for me at all. 

New one for me.

I have not had this experience.

Haven't heard that - but I guess because our so called elected officials can't get anything else done, this justifies their existence.

"Look, we bi-partisanly passed another law that means nothing to you, does nothing and only inconviences you and your community. See, we do work".

I am surprised and not heard about this regulation. In Naples the fireplaces are mostly for decoration, but this will definitely affect other parts of the country!

Not something I've come across in my market. Our homes have been built with gas fireplaces for at least 20 years. Only very expensive homes might have a chimney and a log burning fireplace. And even older homes with former wood buring fireplaces have mostly converted to gas.

The wood burning fireplace is a new objection to me!

I have not had that experience.

I've heard talk of banning wood stoves, but I doubt it catches on around here. In CA, and places where ther is more air pollution, I can see them banning burning wood. Some places ban gas powered lawn mowers. But, anyone can have gas logs installed into an old or new wood burning fireplace.

No - but really interesting - 

I've always had some clients who prefer older construction provided it was well-built. Some people just don't like new construction, period. Have not run into the insistence on wood burning fireplaces though. 

Good morning Ryan. I'm not aware of such regulations in Connecticut, but appreciate the info.

Ryan indeed I have seen the opposite... had many people who do not want to use the old wood burning fireplaces.... I always tell them the good news is you can use gas logs no reason to use the wood burning and they love the idea.... over the years I have owned a few homes two were with wood burning fireplaces... the reality I hardly use one and the current one have lived in it for almost two years and no we never used it...Endre

That's interesting.  No I haven't had this issue.  We do have a lot of new homes with gas fireplaces.  I prefer the wood burning.  This could be a good sign for pre owned homes in your area. 

I've not come across this as an issue - people tend to either like new builds OR resales

Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA - that happens rarely. Specially the feature you mention is very desirable by many buyers.

No I haven't seen this.