Smoke Control Areas

In May 2026 Brighton and Hove Council approved a new single, citywide Smoke Control Area, replacing the five existing SCAs, covering all postcodes across Brighton and Hove. This change is expected to be rolled out in Autumn 2026. We will keep this page updated as things change.

At the moment the five existing SCAs are still in place. You can check if you are in a SCA using our ‘Smoke Control Area – Postcode Checker’ below. The list of postcodes in our checker came from the ‘DEFRA UK Air Information Resource’.

The fuels and appliances restrictions and Brighton’s smoke control areas are shown below. Simply click an option below for more details.
If you have any more questions, please call us on 01273 726 989 or 07742 829 848.

Can I Still Use My Open Fire or Wood Burner?

You can still use your wood burner or open fire in Brighton and Hove and they are not being banned. This does not change when the single, citywide Smoke Control Area comes into place. If you already live inside the current SCAs in Brighton and Hove, very little changes for you. If you currently live outside the existing SCAs, when the rules change you will need to follow the same rules all those living inside a SCA have followed for years.

Rules Inside The New Citywide Smoke Control Area

The existing rules that cover the five existing SCAs will be expanded to cover all of Brighton and Hove. The rules are very simple;

• No visible smoke: You cannot emit a substantial amount of smoke from a chimney. Burning softwoods, ordinary house coal or burning any wood that has not ‘seasoned’ properly, produces more smoke and soot
• Approved fuels only: You must only burn authorised smokeless fuels unless using an exempt appliance. You can check the Defra Authorised Fuels list for an appropriate fuel.
• Wood burners: You can still use wood burners, but the appliance must be DEFRA-exempt and use dry, approved wood. You can find a list of DEFRA approved appliances on their website.
• Fines: Violations can result in warning notices or fines of up to £300

 
Please Note: Wood is classed as an unauthorised fuel under Defra’s rules. That means if you live in an SCA, you can only burn wood in an exempt appliance – a wood burner that has been tested and approved by Defra for use in SCAs. You cannot burn any kind of wood on an open fire in a Smoke Control Area.

Smoke Control Area – Postcode Checker