Wood-burning stove Bavaria

Key points at a glance

The former 10.000-Häuser-Programm (EnergieBonusBayern) has been discontinued since 24.04.2022, and no relaunch is planned. Federal funding therefore applies exclusively to private pellet stoves. Art. 57 BayBO regulates exemption from procedural requirements, while Art. 40 BayBO regulates safety requirements for combustion installations. Munich, the state capital, has its own binding notification requirement for new or replaced fireplaces and stoves under the Münchner Brennstoffverordnung.

Funding in Bavaria

Federal funding

Nationwide funding for pellet stoves continues unchanged. Details: Wood-burning stove Germany

Bavarian state funding

There is no active Bavarian state funding programme for private owner-occupiers who wish to install a pellet stove in an existing owner-occupied home. BayernLabo's Bayerisches Zinsverbilligungsprogramm supports only the construction or first purchase of owner-occupied housing, not the modernisation of an existing owner-occupied building. The Bayerisches Modernisierungsprogramm is aimed at rented residential buildings, not owner-occupied homes. LfA Energiekredit Regenerativ is reserved exclusively for commercial applicants.

Only federal funding through KfW 458, of up to 70 % therefore applies for a pellet stove with a water heat exchanger.

Tax relief under § 35c EStG

Alternative to KfW funding: deduct 20 % of the costs, up to 40.000 EUR per property, only for systems with water heating.

Legal obligations

Bayerische Bauordnung (BayBO)

Connecting a wood-burning stove to an existing, suitable chimney is exempt from procedural requirements as technical building equipment under Art. 57 Abs. 1 No. 6 BayBO. Free-standing flue systems are included up to a height of 10 metres; above this, an approval procedure is required.

Art. 40 BayBO also requires combustion appliances and flue systems to be safe in operation and fire-safe, and exhaust gases to be discharged safely. The authorised district chimney sweep must inspect and approve the installation for operational and fire safety before it is put into operation.

For construction of a new chimney, the same exemption from approval generally applies if the technical requirements are met. If in doubt, ask the building control office at the Landratsamt in advance.

1. BImSchV, KÜO and GEG

Nationwide rules on deadlines, limit values and obligations: Wood-burning stove Germany

Chimney sweeps in Bavaria

How to find the responsible district chimney sweep: enter your postcode on schornsteinfeger.de.

Air quality and notification requirement in Munich

Munich, the state capital, has its own legally binding rule for new or replaced fireplaces and stoves heated by wood or other solid fuels under the Münchner Brennstoffverordnung: they must be reported to the Referat für Klima- und Umweltschutz before first use.

Permitted emission values under the Münchner Brennstoffverordnung:

Notification procedure:

1. Complete the “Formular für den Betrieb einer Neuanlage”.
2. Enclose evidence that the limit values are met (manufacturer's type-test/test-bench certificate).
3. Send the documents by email to brennstoffverordnung.rku@muenchen.de or by post to the Referat für Klima- und Umweltschutz.
4. Processing time: 1 month. If no response is received within this period, the requirements are deemed to be met and the stove may be used. No fees are charged.

Recommissioning an old stove and decommissioning a fireplace/stove must also be reported to the authority.

Outside Munich, there is no blanket binding ban on operating wood-burning stoves in Bavaria; compliance with the nationwide limit values under the 1. BImSchV remains decisive.

Relevant bodies

Frequently asked questions

Is there still state funding in Bavaria for my pellet stove?

No. The 10.000-Häuser-Programm has been discontinued since 24.04.2022. The other Bavarian housing support programmes are aimed at new construction/first purchase or rented residential buildings, not at modernising an existing owner-occupied building. Only federal funding through KfW 458. applies.

Do I have to separately report my new wood-burning stove in Munich?

Yes. New or replaced fireplaces and stoves must be reported to the Referat für Klima- und Umweltschutz before first use, with a form and evidence that the limit values are met. This applies in addition to the nationwide obligation under the 1. BImSchV and approval by the district chimney sweep.

Do I need planning permission for a new chimney in Bavaria?

In most cases, no. Chimneys that meet the technical requirements of the BayBO are generally exempt from approval. Exceptions apply to listed buildings or special structural requirements. Clarify this in advance with the responsible building authority.