What city planning authorization is required to settle an exterior air conditioning or heat pump housing?
Verified 14 February 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
An Advance Work Declaration (AD) is required to install an air conditioning or heat pump housing if its installation changes the exterior appearance of your building. This is the case, for example, if the case is fixed on your facade or your balcony. We're presenting the regulations.
In any case, your installation must comply with the rules of the MORE: titleContent of your municipality, in particular to avoid causing abnormal neighborhood disorder. To find out about these rules, you must contact the city planning department of your city hall.
An RFP may be required depending on whether or not you are changing the exterior appearance of the building:
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No change in external appearance
Placing an air conditioning or heat pump unit on the floor and not adjacent to the building does not change its external appearance. It is therefore exempt from formality.
In a protected area, if installing your enclosure requires slab construction, it shall be subject to DP, regardless of its surface.
General case
You must complete and submit your DP by dematerialized means according to the arrangements made by your municipality or on a paper form. Inquire on the website of the city hall or on site.
On the Internet
You can complete and submit your PNR application file on the Internet:
Form
You can complete your RFP application using a form:
Prior declaration of construction and works not subject to a building permit
In Paris
You must submit your file to the Office Accueil et service à l'user (Basu: titleContent) by dematerialized means only:
Office Accueil et Service à l'User (Basu) de Paris: one-stop-shop
With external appearance change
Placing an air conditioning or heat pump housing next to your façade or balcony changes the exterior appearance of the building. It is therefore subject to DP.
The way to compile and transmit your PNR file differs depending on whether you are in Paris or in another municipality
General case
You must complete and submit your RFP file by paperless means according to the arrangements made by your municipality or on a paper form. Inquire on the website of the city hall or on site.
On the Internet
You can complete and submit your PNR application file on the Internet:
Form
You can complete your RFP application using a form:
Prior declaration of construction and works not subject to a building permit
In Paris
You must submit your file to the Office Accueil et service à l'user (Basu: titleContent) by dematerialized means only:
Office Accueil et Service à l'User (Basu) de Paris: one-stop-shop
Warning
If you are a co-owner, you must ask for permission to settle your equipment at the general meeting of the co-owners. This decision will be put to the vote by an absolute majority (majority of votes of all co-owners of the building).
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
For information on city planning regulations and administrative procedures
Telephone administrative information - Allo Public Service
For more information on this topic, you can contact Allô Service Public.
Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and cannot therefore provide information on their status.
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The informants who answer you belong to the ministry in charge of housing and city planning.
For information on your local city planning plan or advance declaration file
Town HallFor information on the local city planning plan or your advance declaration file in Paris
Paris: Reception and service desk (Basu)
Change in external appearance requiring RFP
Work subject to RFP in a protected sector
Prohibition of disturbing the tranquility and health of others by noise
Majority of votes in the general meeting of the co-owners
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