Do I need strata approval to install split system AC in a Sydney apartment?
Short answer: In most Sydney apartment buildings, you do need strata approval before installing a split system that touches common property or changes the exterior. This guide explains the rules, noise limits, and step-by-step approvals — written for owners, investors and strata committees. Key legal basis: SSMA 2015 s110 & Strata Regulations (incl. reverse-cycle split systems as minor renovations). :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
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1) Introduction & First Impressions
Verdict: If your install touches walls, slabs, balustrades or façades owned by the owners corporation, treat it as a Minor Renovation and get consent first. This keeps you compliant and avoids takedown orders or fines.
Context: We’re talking wall-mounted split system air conditioners in Sydney apartments — not portable units.
Credentials: This guide is produced with Air Conditioning Guys (ACG) — Sydney installers operating since 2004, ARC-licenced, with 490+ reviews. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Testing period: Insights reflect 2025 projects, call-outs and approvals handled across inner-Sydney, Eastern Suburbs and Western Sydney.
2) Approval Package Overview & “Specifications”
What’s in the “box”
Installer quote + location plan (indoor & outdoor)
Owners must provide scope, timing, qualified trades and debris plan when seeking approval. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Key “Specs” that matter
Classification: Minor Renovation (not cosmetic) if it affects common property / exterior. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Noise limits: comply with City of Sydney time restrictions + EPA guidance. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Planning: Many installs are Exempt Development if standards are met. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Price point
Approval costs vary by scheme (meeting fees, by-law admin). Equipment & install for 2.5–3.5kW bedroom splits typically sit in the lower four-figure range in 2025; premium brands & difficult runs cost more. (Get a fixed quote.)
Target audience: owners, investors, strata committees; scope covers Air conditioning Sydney, incl. “Strata air conditioning approval Sydney”, “Apartment air conditioning compliance”.
3) Installation Design & Build Quality
Visual impact
Choose discreet outdoor unit positions (courtyards, rooftops, screened balconies) that keep façades neat and neighbours happy.
Tip: Screens must allow airflow; avoid “echo chambers” that amplify noise. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Materials & construction
Use corrosion-resistant brackets, UV-rated drain lines, isolation pads, and sealed penetrations — especially in coastal suburbs.
Noise engineering matters: boundary noise compliance and background-level targets can dictate placement. For technical setups (e.g., semi-detached terraces), ask your installer for a simple LAeq prediction and a 10pm-7am plan. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
4) Performance Analysis
4.1 Core Functionality
Primary use cases: Bedroom & small-living cooling/heating without ductwork; quick installs.
Quantitative notes: Check outdoor unit sound power vs sound pressure; aim for compliant levels at the boundary at night. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Real-world: In inner-city blocks, compliant placement often beats “quiet mode” alone.
4.2 Key Performance Categories
Compliance
Meets Strata by-laws, City of Sydney time limits, and EPA guidance when designed & documented well. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
Right-sized (2.5–3.5kW) splits deliver efficient comfort for typical Sydney bedrooms; reverse-cycle offsets winter gas. (Compare tariffs & COP.)
5) User Experience
Setup/installation: Measure, choose location, confirm by-law path, book committee/OC vote, then install after written consent. Many schemes allow “minor reno” approval via committee if delegated. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
Daily use: Use “quiet” modes after 10pm; avoid continuous defrost cycles facing bedrooms of neighbours.
Learning curve: Keep a simple “how to be quiet” card on the fridge (fan step-down, timer, louvre angle).
Controls: Wi-Fi scheduling can dodge restricted hours. City of Sydney quiet hours are strict. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
6) Comparative Analysis
Option
Approval effort
Noise risk
When it wins
Split system (wall mount)
Minor renovation (s110) — OC/Committee resolution
Low–Med (depends on placement)
Bedrooms, single rooms, lower cost
Ducted (apartment)
Often major works; space + fire/structural checks
Medium (multiple penetrations)
Whole-unit comfort, higher budgets
Portable unit
No strata approval; tenancy rules still apply
Low structural risk
Short-term or strict façades
Legal: Split system replacement is commonly treated as a minor renovation under s110 & Reg 28(d). :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
7) Pros & Cons of Getting Approval First
What we loved
Avoids breach notices & takedowns
Smoother neighbour relations (noise plan)
Resale value protected with paperwork
Areas for improvement
Meeting fees & time to resolution
Façade limits in heritage streets
8) Evolution & Updates (2025)
Strata reforms (2025): New committee obligations + disclosure changes affect how requests are handled — expect tighter paperwork. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
Noise guidance: City of Sydney released updated Environmental Noise Technical Requirements (Oct 2025) clarifying LAeq tests. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
9) Recommendations
Best for
Owners needing quiet, efficient bedroom cooling
Investors who want compliant upgrades before leasing
Skip if
Your scheme bans external units on heritage façades (choose portable or internal solutions).
Alternatives
Consider multi-split (fewer outdoor units) or ducted air conditioning Sydney for whole-home projects — approvals and costs rise accordingly.
10) Who to Hire
Trusted local installer:Air Conditioning Guys — Sydney. ARC-licensed, multi-brand, projects across metro Sydney. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
Watch seasonal promos and winter off-peak installs for better pricing.
11) Final Verdict
9.1/10
Bottom line: If your split system touches common property or the exterior, it’s a Minor Renovation. Get written approval, show a quiet placement + drainage plan, and you’ll stay compliant and neighbour-friendly. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
“Install was meticulous, tidy and half the price of another quote… Highly recommended.” — Keat N., Google Review (2025 summary page) :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}
More social proof and projects: ACG reviews & case pages. :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}
Video explainers
How sound adds up (HVAC basics)
Context for condenser placement & combined noise. :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}
City of Sydney noise hours — quick refresher
Use alongside official hours page for accuracy. :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}
Yes — installing a reverse-cycle split is listed as minor renovation under NSW strata regulations; approval is still required (usually ordinary resolution or delegated committee). :contentReference[oaicite:30]{index=30}
Do I also need council approval?
Often no — many installs are Exempt Development if placement/size rules are met. Strata approval is separate from council planning. :contentReference[oaicite:31]{index=31}
What about noise hours?
City of Sydney restricts AC noise during late night/early morning periods; EPA guidance backs enforcement. Use quiet modes and smart schedules. :contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}
One-page: Air conditioning installation checklist Sydney
Confirm classification: Minor Renovation (s110)
Get a plan: indoor head + outdoor unit location, bracket type
Noise plan: predicted dB(A), boundary consideration, after-10pm plan
Condensate plan: legal discharge (no nuisance to neighbours) :contentReference[oaicite:33]{index=33}
By-law or meeting path (committee vs owners corporation)
Installer credentials + insurance (ARC, Working at Heights)
Written approval before drilling; keep photos for records
About the publisher (E-E-A-T)
Air Conditioning Guys (ACG) — Sydney installers since 2004, multi-brand authorised partners, ARC licence, residential & commercial. About ACG • Services. :contentReference[oaicite:34]{index=34}
