Minimum Distance By Law that A/C unit must be from Neighbor

On Jul 18, 10:50 pm, benn <[email protected]> wrote:
> Anyone if there's usually a building code that dictates how close you
> are allowed to place an air conditioning unit to the dividing wall
> between you and the neighbor?
>
> I'm not getting a permit (I'm not sure if its required), but I don't
> wan't my neighbor complaining of noise so I want to make sure I stay
> within specs!

Around this neck of the woods it is 3 ft minium.

"benn" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:dd6ae697-9df0-4b6d-9fa9-b5d76616cf23@j33g2000pri.googlegroups.com...
> Anyone if there's usually a building code that dictates how close you
> are allowed to place an air conditioning unit to the dividing wall
> between you and the neighbor?
>
> I'm not getting a permit (I'm not sure if its required), but I don't
> wan't my neighbor complaining of noise so I want to make sure I stay
> within specs!

Here it is 10' from the property line. Better check local codes though. In
some towns I've seen them just inches away.

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote

>> Anyone if there's usually a building code that dictates how close you
>> are allowed to place an air conditioning unit to the dividing wall
>> between you and the neighbor?
>>
>> I'm not getting a permit (I'm not sure if its required), but I don't
>> wan't my neighbor complaining of noise so I want to make sure I stay
>> within specs!
>
> Here it is 10' from the property line. Better check local codes though.
> In some towns I've seen them just inches away.

Depends on the area. In Japan, units are made to install along a thin
walkway/porch almost flush to the house!

Most stateside units are to be 1 ft from your house and at least 10 from the
neighbor but I do not know if that's just where I've been, or the units I've
seen most often are like that. Oh, and a permit is required where I am.

"benn" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:dd6ae697-9df0-4b6d-9fa9-b5d76616cf23@j33g2000pri.googlegroups.com...
> Anyone if there's usually a building code that dictates how close you
> are allowed to place an air conditioning unit to the dividing wall
> between you and the neighbor?
>
> I'm not getting a permit (I'm not sure if its required), but I don't
> wan't my neighbor complaining of noise so I want to make sure I stay
> within specs!

You would stand a much better chance of getting a really helpful reply if
you told us what continenet you were on. Providing country,
state/province/municipaly would even be better.

Also, have you given any thought about asking the building officials in your
own municipality (who might even have a clue about what the 'right' answer
is for you?) instead of a bunch of strangers on the internet?

"Doug Brown" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:LJKdnXGj4M8h7BzVnZ2dnUVZ_s3inZ2d@posted.sasktel...
>>
>> I'm not getting a permit (I'm not sure if its required), but I don't
>> wan't my neighbor complaining of noise so I want to make sure I stay
>> within specs!
>
> You would stand a much better chance of getting a really helpful reply if
> you told us what continenet you were on. Providing country,
> state/province/municipaly would even be better.
>
> Also, have you given any thought about asking the building officials in
> your own municipality (who might even have a clue about what the 'right'
> answer is for you?) instead of a bunch of strangers on the internet?
Also, these things are rather municipality specific. What applies in my
town likely does not apply in your town.

What is the distance between you and your neighbors house, and what
kind of wall are we talking about?
If this is a CAC system, most new ones are quiet to begin with.

On Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:50:23 -0700 (PDT), benn <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Anyone if there's usually a building code that dictates how close you
>are allowed to place an air conditioning unit to the dividing wall
>between you and the neighbor?
>
>I'm not getting a permit (I'm not sure if its required), but I don't
>wan't my neighbor complaining of noise so I want to make sure I stay
>within specs!


Location of a central A/C unit is based on local codes. Some cities
require all A/C units to be behind the house. An experienced
certified installer should be familiar with local codes.

On Jul 18, 10:50 pm, benn <[email protected]> wrote:
> Anyone if there's usually a building code that dictates how close you
> are allowed to place an air conditioning unit to the dividing wall
> between you and the neighbor?
>
> I'm not getting a permit (I'm not sure if its required), but I don't
> wan't my neighbor complaining of noise so I want to make sure I stay
> within specs!

Getting a permit gets you a free inspection to be sure you got a
quality job, codes vary on location to a neighbors house.

"benn" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:dd6ae697-9df0-4b6d-9fa9-b5d76616cf23@j33g2000pri.googlegroups.com...
> Anyone if there's usually a building code that dictates how close you
> are allowed to place an air conditioning unit to the dividing wall
> between you and the neighbor?
>
> I'm not getting a permit (I'm not sure if its required), but I don't
> wan't my neighbor complaining of noise so I want to make sure I stay
> within specs!



Get a permit and have the work inspected. Your neighbor could always call
town hall and tell them about the installation even though it is code
compliant.

"John Grabowski" wrote
> "benn" <[email protected]> wrote in message

>> I'm not getting a permit (I'm not sure if its required), but I don't
>> wan't my neighbor complaining of noise so I want to make sure I stay
>> within specs!

> Get a permit and have the work inspected. Your neighbor could always call
> town hall and tell them about the installation even though it is code
> compliant.

Correct. For example, we already know once our unit 'bites the big one' we
have to have structural work done. The footer it is on, is no longer in
specs (has to be bigger and higher now than when it was installed). To have
the heat pump portion worked on (in the garage) we also have to have the hot
water heater reinstalled as it's on a loose brick base (legal back then and
still safe but no longer in codespecs). Hot water heater is next to the
furnace portion.

If we want to sell the house, we probably will have to have the hot water
heater on a proper riser.

On Jul 18, 11:50 pm, benn <[email protected]> wrote:
> Anyone if there's usually a building code that dictates how close you
> are allowed to place an air conditioning unit to the dividing wall
> between you and the neighbor?
>
> I'm not getting a permit (I'm not sure if its required), but I don't
> wan't my neighbor complaining of noise so I want to make sure I stay
> within specs!

You really want to get that permit. Failure to do so, could mean
that your neighborr's complaint could force you to remove it, even if
it otherwise meets code.

Codes are local and we can't really give you the advice you need.
A local attorney and a local HVAC pro should be able to answer your
questions properly, but you will pay for that advice.

<[email protected]> wrote

> Codes are local and we can't really give you the advice you need.
>A local attorney and a local HVAC pro should be able to answer your
>questions properly, but you will pay for that advice.

Not nessecarily. I've gotten many a free simple question like this answered
over the phone. It works like this: Hi, I am considering several options
for an AC unit replacement and have some basic questions before asking for
an official visit and estimate. Due to my house being close to a neighbors,
can you tell me if 'x' feet is enough room to have the external section
added? Or do I need to investigate other options in which case I may need
to have a landscaper first due to design of backyard'. He can probably get
a fast answer for his local code just on the footage required.

He's apt to be told it depends on how big the unit is but a standard one for
his size house needs 'x' feet from his wall, and 'x' feet after it before
the neighbors wall.

Ok, back to work for me. Break over ;-)