Domestic Woodburners

Replacing Old or Installing New Domestic Woodburners

Outside of the Richmond Airshed, if you wish to install a new woodburner or replace an existing woodburner in any of the following zones, or on any site less than two hectares, only a woodburner which meets the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality may be installed.

  • Central Business
  • Residential
  • Commercial
  • Mixed Business
  • Tourist Accommodation
  • Industrial
  • Papakainga
  • Open Space
  • Recreational; or
  • Rural Residential Zone [where the property is less than two hectares]

You will also require Building Consent for the installation of the woodburner.

Outside of the listed areas, you may install the woodburner of your choice, however Council still recommends that a Clean-Air heat source be chosen.

Replacing a Domestic Woodburner Within the Richmond Airshed

If you are replacing a woodburner in a property within the Richmond Airshed, you must only install a woodburner from the list of woodburners which meet or exceed the criteria of the National Environmental Standard for Air Quality.

A Building Consent to carry out the work will be required.

No new homes in Richmond are allowed to install woodburners at all, and no property currently without a woodburner may install a woodburner. Council recommends that alternative heat sources with no or low emissions be used in this instance e.g., gas heating, heat pumps, etc.

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