Metal Chimney Clearance

I inspected a home that had a sun room with a gas stand alone fireplace. The photo is the metal chimney showing the clearance to the home. The chimney was just under the soffit and directly under the soffit vent. The siding, soffit, fascia material of the home was wood and clearance was ~10" to each. The Agent said the city inspected the home and did not write this up. I can’t believe they let this one go.

Chimney Clearance Plymouth Michigan Home Inspection.jpg

For a gas-only fireplace, which is simply a gas-burning appliance, the vent must extend above the roof line of any wall within 8 feet. Regardless of what the city inspector “signed off” on, this should be written-up for correction - it’s wrong.