Air-conditioning units

Specific criteria for air-conditioning units

Clause 2.5 and 2.6 of the state policy set out the full list of development standards that you must meet before you can install an air-conditioning unit.

Development standards are criteria that manage the effects of your building work, including the Building Code of Australia requirements you must follow.

You can install an air-conditioning unit on an apartment balcony

The exempt development standards allow you to install an air-conditioning unit on the floor of a balcony. There may be by-laws for strata apartment buildings that limit where and how air-conditioning units can be installed.

You can install an air-conditioning unit on the roof of your home

The exempt development standards allow you to install an air-conditioning unit on the roof of a dwelling, but not on part of the roof that faces the primary road, or forward of the building line to the primary road.

Air-conditioning units that are built or installed on or in a heritage item must be mounted on the ground. The air-conditioning unit must be installed at or behind the rear building line if it is built or installed:

• on or in a heritage item or a draft heritage item, or
• in a heritage conservation area or a draft heritage conservation area.

Notify your neighbours

While there is no formal requirement to notify your neighbours for exempt development, it is still a good idea to let your neighbours know about your plans.

Building works can cause disruption, so talking to your neighbours about your development proposal, big or small, often saves a lot of trouble.

You do not need a certifier

If you are building as exempt development, you must comply with the relevant development standards, but you do not need a certifier.

Things to consider

• Exempt development must comply with the general requirements of clause 1.16
• For evaporative cooling units, see clause 2.30A
• For information about noise, please refer to the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Noise Guide