Châteauguay tightening rules for fireplaces and outdoor fires

The City of Châteauguay is now requiring compliance with specific environmental norms for new fireplaces installed within its territory. City council also intends to limit the hours during which outdoor fires are permitted.

Translation Amanda Bennett

The city is changing its regulations to “ensure that replacement fireplaces are more eco-friendly and limit the installation of replacement fireplaces that do not meet provincial standards,” it explained.  

All new fireplaces must emit 2.5 g/hr or less of fine particulate matter into the atmosphere. It must also be certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or have Polytest Services, CSA/B415.1-10 certification.   

Outdoor Fireplaces

Municipal council also intends to limit the number of hours that outdoor fires are permitted to between 4 pm and midnight. “It’s to limit people who make fires all day long and cause unpleasant odours for neighbours,” mentioned Châteauguay Mayor Eric Allard when the notice of motion was tabled on February 14. “We think that fires are a fun recreational activity, so we will limit their use to recreation times.”

 Current regulations prohibit open fires between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., according to the City of Châteauguay website.