New Stove or Insert in Ashland: The Chimney Clean-and-Inspect Rule

What the Policy Says

The policy has two operative parts. First: "Existing chimneys or vents previously utilized to burn solid or liquid fuel must be cleaned and inspected by a chimney sweep or masonry contractor prior to the issuance of a permit for reuse with a new fuel-burning appliance. The chimney sweep or masonry contractor must be registered with the CCB."

Second: "Prior to requesting the inspection of the new appliance, the chimney sweep or masonry contractor must submit written verification to this Division that the chimney or vent has been cleaned and is safe for reuse with the proposed appliance."

So there are two checkpoints. The cleaning and inspection come before the permit. The written verification has to reach the Building Safety Division before the city inspects the installed appliance.

When It Applies

What the Sweep Is Verifying

The policy rests on the Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code and the Oregon Residential Specialty Code. In its background section it points to two conditions. The flue has to be free of obstructions and combustible deposits, and cleaned if it previously vented a solid or liquid fuel appliance or fireplace. And the liner has to be continuous and free of cracks, gaps and perforations.

That second condition is the one that changes projects. A flue that has cracked tiles or open joints cannot be signed off as safe for reuse until it is repaired or relined, and that is better learned before the stove is bought than after.

The Order to Do Things In

• Choose the appliance. A new wood stove or insert must be certified, and Oregon DEQ says installing one requires a permit from the local building codes department.
• Have the existing chimney cleaned and inspected by a CCB-registered sweep or masonry contractor. Tell them which appliance you plan to install, because the verification is that the chimney is safe for that appliance.
• Fix what the inspection finds. If the flue needs a liner, this is when it is specified.
• Apply for the permit with the Ashland Building Safety Division.
• Install the appliance.
• The contractor submits written verification to the Division before you request the appliance inspection.

Who Can Do It

The policy accepts a chimney sweep or a masonry contractor, and either one must be registered with the CCB. You can look a contractor up by name or number on the CCB website before booking. Freeman Chimney's Oregon CCB registration is still pending. Until it is active we cannot provide the written verification Ashland requires, so for a permit today you need a contractor whose CCB registration is already active.

Is It Still in Force, and Does It Apply Outside Ashland

The policy document itself carries no date. It is listed on the city's current Policies, Interpretations and Procedures page, which is where we checked it in October 2026. It is a city policy, not state law, so it applies inside Ashland only. Other cities and Jackson County issue their own permits under the same state codes, so ask the building department what they want to see before reusing an old chimney.

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