County announces firewood selling regulations

As cooler weather approaches, consumers should be alert when purchasing firewood.

Summit County Fiscal Officer Kristen Scalise offers the following guidelines to make sure consumers are receiving the correct amount of firewood:

• Firewood, in non-packaged forms, is sold by a measure called a cord or fraction of a cord. A cord is defined as 128 cubic feet when the wood is neatly stacked. A standard cord is 8 feet long, 4 feet wide and 4 feet high.
• Measurement terms such as a rick, rack, face cord, pile or truckload are strictly prohibited when advertising or selling firewood or stove wood.
• A seller must provide a buyer with an invoice that shows the seller’s name, address, phone number, price per cord, total amount and type of wood purchased.
• Buyers should record the license plate number of the wood delivery truck.
• The delivered wood should be stacked in a cord or a fraction of a cord. Measure the stack (width by height by length) and contact the seller immediately if you did not receive the quantity purchased. Document the possible shortage by taking a picture of the stacked wood.

“A license is required to sell or advertise the sale of firewood in Summit County,” said Scalise. “Because firewood is a taxable product, all firewood dealers must have a valid Ohio retail vendor’s license.”

Scalise’s weights and measures inspectors enforce Ohio laws that protect consumers when they buy firewood.

For additional information regarding firewood or to report a complaint, call 330-630-7226 or visit fiscaloffice.summitoh.net and choose the “Firewood Licensing” link on the home page. ∞