Fireplace Permit

The Fireplace Inspection Report is an official document issued by the authorized district chimney sweep, which lists all fireplaces (boilers, wood-burning stoves, gas water heaters, etc.) present in a building and specifies the required cleaning and inspection intervals. It serves as the legal basis for regular chimney sweeping and is binding on property owners.

Legal Basis and Content

The Fireplace Inspection Report is based on the Chimney Sweeping and Inspection Regulations (KÜO) in conjunction with the Chimney Sweep Trade Act (SchfHwG). It is issued by the responsible district chimney sweep following a fireplace inspection and contains:

• A list of all fireplaces in the building (type, year of construction, fuel)
• Specified intervals for sweeping, inspection, and measurement (e.g., once or twice a year)
• Deadlines for carrying out the work

The fireplace inspection takes place every 3-5 years and is carried out by the authorized district chimney sweep (who retains a monopoly on this regulatory task even after the liberalization of the chimney sweep market). Since 2013, however, owners have been able to commission the actual sweeping and measurement work from any licensed chimney sweep.

Typical fireplaces covered by the notice:

Fireplace	Typical sweeping requirement
Oil heating	1-2 times per year
Gas heating (room-air-dependent)	1 time per year
Tiled stove / wood-burning stove	1-3 times per year depending on use
Pellet heating	1-2 times per year
Open fireplace	1 time per year (minimum)

Significance for Buying and Selling Real Estate

When purchasing a property, the fireplace inspection notice is an important document in the building documentation:

• It shows which fireplaces are present and registered
• Outstanding or missed chimney sweeps can lead to complaints and jeopardize the operating permit for the heating system
• In the event of damage (e.g., fire due to a defective system), the lack of proper documentation can lead to problems with building insurance

When purchasing a house with a wood-burning stove or wood-fired heating system, the buyer should always verify whether the system is listed in the fireplace certificate and whether the chimney sweeping appointments have been regularly attended. Errors in the documentation or unrecorded fireplaces (e.g., wood-burning stoves installed later without registration) constitute a defect that the seller must disclose.

Heat Pumps, Photovoltaics, and the Fireplace Certificate

With the increasing prevalence of heat pumps as the primary heating source, the question arises as to whether and how these are recorded in the fireplace certificate. The answer: Heat pumps and air conditioning systems are not fireplaces in the legal sense (they do not involve open combustion) and are therefore not recorded in the fireplace certificate.

For buildings that have been fully converted to a heat pump and no longer have fuel-fired fireplaces, the obligation for regular chimney sweep inspections no longer applies. This also eliminates the need for a fireplace inspection certificate, provided no other stove or fireplace is in use. In this case, owners should verify whether the old chimney has been properly decommissioned and secured.

Gas boilers with condensing boilers are a special case: These are fireplaces as defined by the KÜO and must be listed in the fireplace certificate and maintained regularly. Annual heating system maintenance by a specialized company and the chimney sweep inspection (exhaust gas measurement) are mandatory.

Installing a New Wood-Burning Stove: What to Consider

Anyone wishing to retrofit a wood-burning stove or tiled stove in an existing building must follow several steps:

1. Planning with the Chimney Sweep: Before ordering a stove, the responsible district chimney sweep should be consulted to determine whether a suitable chimney is available or needs to be built.

2. Check for a building permit: In Bavaria, wood-burning stoves up to a certain rated heat output are generally exempt from permitting requirements if a suitable chimney is available. In individual cases, however, a permit from the building authority may be required.

3. Installation by a licensed professional: Installation must be performed by a licensed specialist company (stove fitter, chimney sweep), which documents the proper connection to the chimney.

4. Registration with the district chimney sweep: The new stove must be registered with the responsible district chimney sweep, who will then update the fireplace certificate and conduct an initial inspection.

5. Inspection and Registration: The stove may only be operated regularly after successful inspection and registration in the fireplace certificate.

Practical Tip for Homeowners in Nuremberg and Franconia

We recommend that homeowners in Nuremberg and the metropolitan region keep the current fireplace certificate in a safe place and always pass it on to the new owner during property transfers. In Nuremberg, chimney sweeping districts are clearly defined; the authorized district chimney sweep can be found at the Nuremberg City Surveying Office or directly at the District Office (for the district).

Anyone wishing to install a new wood-burning stove must register it with the authorized district chimney sweep-installation without a permit is prohibited and may result in the stove being shut down. Within the context of the homeowners’ association (for condominiums), it must also be verified whether the bylaws permit the installation of a wood-burning stove and whether the shared chimney is still available for use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to comply with the fireplace permit as a tenant?

No. The fireplace permit is addressed to the owner (landlord) of the property. The owner is responsible for ensuring that chimney sweeping is performed properly and must grant the chimney sweep access. As a tenant, you are only required to let the chimney sweep into your apartment and provide access to the fireplaces.

What happens if I fail to have the required chimney sweeps performed?

Failure to have the chimney swept is subject to a fine. In extreme cases, the heating system may also be shut down. In the event of fire damage, the insurance company may reduce or deny coverage if there is no proof of proper maintenance. If you persist in refusing, the chimney sweep may involve the authorities, who can then order the system to be shut down.

How do I obtain a new fireplace inspection certificate after installing a new heating system?

After installing a new heating system, the installer must report this to the responsible district chimney sweep. The district chimney sweep will then conduct a new fireplace inspection and issue an updated certificate. When switching to a heat pump without additional fireplaces, the fireplace certificate is no longer required-in this case, the old chimney must be properly sealed.

What is the penalty for an unregistered wood-burning stove?

Operating an unregistered wood-burning stove is an administrative offense and can result in a fine. In Bavaria, administrative offenses related to chimney sweeping can be punished with fines of up to 5,000 euros. Additionally, in the event of damage (fire), insurance coverage expires if the system was not properly registered and approved.

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