I’ve heard the newer wood stoves are much more efficient, but 25 years ago I lived in a cottage on the finger lakes and my neighbor burned wood all winter long which put so much particulate matter into the air it made breathing difficult the moment I stepped outside my door.
Were they burning pine? That’s a ritzy area (we live about 10 minutes from there) and I know some well to do people are cheap as all blazes. Probably burning pallets!
Wood stoves designed for pellets are very clean and efficient. They do not fit the profile of dirtying up the air with heavy smoke. They should be exempt from this ruling too if there were any rationality to it.