Air-conditioning units
Exempt development
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- Crown development applications
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You can install air-conditioning units in your home as exempt development.
Exempt development is minor building work that does not need planning or building approval.
You will not need planning or construction approvals if your proposed works meet all the development standards in Subdivision 3 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008.
Non-residential air-conditioning units
If the air-conditioning unit is not for a home, the installation has different requirements. Please refer to the development standards under clause 2.6 (1A) of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008.
No planning approval needed
You do not need planning or building approval if the air-conditioning proposal complies with the exempt development standards.

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
More information
- Visit Planning approval pathways
- Phone the customer service team on 1300 305 695
- Email [email protected]