Why This Site Exists

Installing a wood stove should be straightforward: find the code requirements for your state, get a permit, pass an inspection, enjoy your stove. In practice, the information needed to do this correctly is scattered across municipal PDFs, chimney sweep service pages, Reddit threads, and manufacturer manuals — none of which tells a complete, coherent story.

WoodStoveCode was built to fix that. This site organizes the actual code requirements — NFPA 211, IRC Section R1004, EPA Phase 2 rules, state-specific amendments — into plain-language guides that answer the questions homeowners actually ask, in the format they need.

Editorial Standards

Every guide on WoodStoveCode is written and reviewed against the following standards:

• Primary sources only. Every code requirement is traced to its source document — NFPA 211 (2021 edition), the International Residential Code (IRC), EPA 40 CFR Part 60, or official state code adoptions. We don't paraphrase secondhand summaries.
• Jurisdiction transparency. We explicitly flag where requirements vary by state or municipality rather than giving false universal answers.
• Regular review. Guides are reviewed when codes are updated or when readers submit verified corrections with source citations.
• No commercial influence. We have no affiliate relationships with stove manufacturers, chimney companies, or building supply retailers. Google AdSense and Amazon (clearly disclosed) are the only monetization on this site.

What We Cover

• State permit guides — permit requirements, code basis, and the practical process for 32 states and growing
• Clearance requirements — wall, floor, ceiling, and stovepipe clearances with the full NFPA 211 reduction tables
• EPA certification — what Phase 2 means, how to verify your stove, and why it matters for permits and home sales
• Inspection guides — exactly what inspectors check, how to prepare, and what causes failures
• Scenario guides — home buyers, sellers, DIY installers, manufactured home owners, high-altitude installations
• Free tools — clearance calculator, chimney sizing calculator, room sizing tool, creosote risk checker
• Printable checklists — permit application, inspection day, and seasonal maintenance checklists

Corrections & Updates

Building codes change. Local amendments get adopted. We rely on readers — including building officials, chimney professionals, and experienced installers — to flag content that has become outdated or incorrect. If you find an error, please contact us with the specific code section and a link to the authoritative source. We update guides promptly when corrections are verified and credit contributors by updating the review date on the affected page.

Affiliation & Independence

WoodStoveCode is independently operated and is not affiliated with any stove manufacturer, chimney company, building supply retailer, or government agency. We are not affiliated with the EPA, NFPA, ICC, or CSIA, though we reference their published standards extensively.

This site participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. When relevant products are mentioned (such as moisture meters or chimney supplies), we may include Amazon affiliate links. These are clearly disclosed and do not affect our editorial coverage. We also display Google AdSense advertising. Neither affects what we write or recommend.