FACT SHEET

RESIDENTIAL
AIR
CONDITIONING
UNITS

Air conditioning units are the source of numerous complaints to Council, as a result
of the noise levels produced by inappropriately located air conditioning units or units
that emit excessive noise levels. This fact sheet provides information on existing air
conditioning units and what to consider when installing them.

Development Applications
 The installation of an air conditioning unit within the City of Canada Bay requires Council approval (development
consent). There are exemptions from this requirement under Council's Local Environment Plan 2008 and you
should discuss your proposal with Council's Planners to ensure you meet these exemptions.

What to provide to Council when submitting a Development Application?

When lodging a Development Application for the approval of an air conditioning unit, the applicant should submit the
following:
 A site plan of the premises (to scale 1:100) including the distances from all boundaries and clearly identifying
where the air conditioning unit is proposed to be installed.
 A copy of the manufacturers specifications for the air conditioning unit, this is to include the noise levels from the
source of the air conditioning unit in dB(A)
 An acoustic consultant report demonstrating compliance with the 'Background noise level + 5dB(A) criteria'.
Remember to:
 Locate the air
conditioning unit in an
appropriate position to
avoid causing a noise
nuisance to
neighbouring residents.
 Consider installing a
quieter (less powerful)
air conditioning unit.

Noise complaints after installation

Once installed, the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 is used to regulate air conditioning units causing a
noise nuisance to neighbouring residents. Council will assess whether the air conditioning unit is causing a noise nuisance.

Where Council deems that the air conditioning unit is causing a noise nuisance, Council may require the owner of the air
conditioning unit to do the following:
 Employ a suitably qualified person to assess the air conditioning unit for compliance with applicable noise
legislation - background noise level + 5dB(A).
 Relocate the air conditioning unit.
  Provide sound attenuation measures to the air
conditioning unit to reduce the noise level being emitted.
 Cease using the air conditioning unit.

Restricted hours of operation

The Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control)
Regulation 2008 sets out times where an air conditioning unit
cannot be heard within a neighbour's home. Fines apply.

The restricted hours of operation are;

 Before 8am or after 10pm on any Saturday, Sunday or
public holiday.
 Before 7am or after 10pm on any weekday.

1a Marlborough Street, Drummoyne NSW 2047

Tel 9911 6555 Fax 9911 6550 www.canadabay.nsw.gov.au