Permits and Regulations for the Installation of a Heat Pump or Air Conditioning Unit in Longueuil
Introduction: Understanding the requirements of the City of Longueuil
At AirGreen , we know that every heat pump or air conditioner installation must combine performance, energy efficiency and regulatory compliance.
In the City of Longueuil , these projects must respect a clear municipal framework, put in place to ensure the safety of citizens, the tranquility of neighborhoods and the visual harmony of the residential landscape.
This comprehensive guide has been prepared to help owners, co-owners and contractors understand the necessary permits , installation conditions and rules to follow depending on the configuration of the land and the type of device.
Our goal is to provide you with simple, accurate and up-to-date information so that each project is compliant, sustainable and hassle-free .
1. Permit required or not required: an essential distinction
The City of Longueuil distinguishes between two main types of residential land: regular land and corner land . This distinction directly influences whether or not a permit is required.
a) Regular land: no permit required
On regular land , heat pump or air conditioner installations do not require a permit, as long as the installation conditions and concealment standards are respected.
This concerns the majority of single-family, semi-detached or row houses whose facade faces a single street.
b) Corner plot: permit required
On a corner lot , the increased exposure of the building to two streets results in additional visual constraints .
In this case, a municipal permit is required before any installation of outdoor equipment, even if the project complies with the regulatory distances and heights.
This rule aims to preserve urban harmony and limit the visual and noise impact of devices on the neighborhood.
2. Types of equipment concerned
Longueuil municipal by-laws apply to several types of devices used for heating , ventilation and air conditioning :
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Wall-mounted heat pump (most common device in single-family homes and condos)
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Central heat pump (ducted or ducted systems)
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Window or wall-mounted air conditioner
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Water circulation pump
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External filter or fan
All of this equipment is subject to the same standards of location, height, concealment and noise level . Their installation must always be carried out in compliance with municipal and provincial regulations.
3. Installation on regular land: standards and obligations
a) Authorized locations
The equipment can be installed:
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In the front, side or rear yard ;
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In front, side or rear margin , depending on the configuration of the land.
Installation in the front yard is permitted, but only if the appliance is screened from view from the street by a hedge, fence, or permanent landscaping.
b) Minimum distance to be respected
Each device must be at least 1 meter from any property boundary .
This rule aims to preserve safety, reduce noise transmission and avoid any disturbance to the neighborhood.
c) Maximum height
Floor-mounted devices must respect a maximum height of 2 meters from ground level.
However, certain exceptions are provided:
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Backyard or not adjacent to a street : heat pumps and air conditioners may slightly exceed this limit if the building has 3 or fewer dwellings , and the replacement of an existing non-compliant unit is permitted.
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Balcony or gallery : for a building with 4 or more dwellings , only one device per dwelling is permitted. This must be installed behind a guardrail identical to that of the balcony perimeter.
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Building opening : appliances built into a wall or window are accepted without a permit if they are located on the ground floor or in the basement , at a maximum height of 1.8 meters .
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Flat roof : Units can be installed on the roof, provided the supporting structure is secure and the unit is not visible from the street .
(d) Obligation to conceal
Any unit installed less than 2 meters from the ground or on a flat roof must be hidden from view of passers-by and public roads.
Accepted solutions include:
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Decorative fence or screen authorized by town planning regulations;
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Conifer hedge of sufficient height;
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Low wall or permanent landscaping .
This requirement aims to protect the aesthetics of the neighborhood and reduce visual pollution.
4. Installation on a corner plot: reinforced conditions
Land located at the intersection of two streets has greater visual exposure . For this reason, Longueuil imposes stricter rules.
a) Mandatory permit
Before any installation, a municipal permit must be obtained.
The process includes submitting a site plan and describing the intended concealment method.
b) Location and distances
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Installation is permitted in the front margin provided that the device is completely concealed from the street.
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A minimum distance of 1 meter must be maintained between the device and the boundaries of the property.
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In the front yard , the device must be hidden by a plant or architectural screen in order to preserve the appearance of the neighborhood.
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Balcony installations are permitted, but limited to one device per dwelling and surrounded by a uniform guardrail .
c) Noise and neighborhood
The noise level at the boundary of the field must never exceed 53 decibels (dB(A)) .
This guarantees peace and quiet for neighbors and compliance with municipal noise pollution standards.
d) Prohibited connections
No equipment should be connected to the municipal water supply network .
Installations must be self-contained and comply with provincial electrical and mechanical standards.
5. Heat pumps installed in an opening: special conditions
A heat pump installed in a window or wall opening is authorized without a permit if:
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It is located in the basement or on the ground floor of the main building;
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It respects a maximum height of 1.8 meters from the ground;
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It is hidden from the street by landscaping (hedge, shrub, fence).
These installations must remain discreet, secure and comply with noise and distance regulations.
6. Case of devices linked to a swimming pool
Heat pumps, pumps or filters used for the operation of a residential swimming pool are subject to the Quebec Residential Swimming Pool Safety Regulations .
This equipment must be:
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Installed outside the public right -of-way;
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Secured by compliant fences or barriers ;
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And placed at a minimum distance of one meter from any boundary of the land.
These rules aim to avoid the risk of accidents and to ensure the safety of children and residents.
7. Concrete examples of application in Longueuil
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Vieux-Longueuil district : for a house facing a single street, no permit application is required if the ground-mounted heat pump is hidden by a dense hedge.
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Borough of Saint-Hubert : for a corner lot, the owner must obtain a permit and ensure that the device is not visible from the intersection.
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Greenfield Park : the concept of a “courtyard” does not exist; installations must respect the front, side and rear margins .
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Condo building (4 units or more) : each unit can have a single device , installed behind an identical guardrail on each balcony to maintain uniformity.
8. Common mistakes to avoid
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Installing a device too close to the property line (less than one meter).
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Installing a heat pump without sufficient concealment visible from the street.
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Forgetting to check if the land is corner , which results in a lack of permit.
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Exceed the maximum height of 2 meters for a ground-mounted device.
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Installing a device that is too noisy or poorly oriented , generating complaints from the neighborhood.
At AirGreen, we often encounter these situations during corrective interventions. That's why we take care to assess each site before installation to ensure compliance from the start.
9. Your Responsibility / Our Support
Your Responsibility
Compliance with municipal regulations is always the responsibility of the owner .
Before starting a project, you must:
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Check whether your land requires a permit (especially for corner plots);
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Ensure that distances, heights and concealment are respected;
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Obtain all necessary permits before starting work.
Our Support
At AirGreen , our mission is to simplify your life.
We :
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Let us analyze the configuration of your land before any installation;
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Let’s check the municipal requirements according to your borough;
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We design aesthetic solutions that comply with town planning regulations;
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Let us prepare the necessary documents if a permit is required.
Our goal is to guarantee a safe, efficient and 100% compliant installation.
Our experienced refrigeration engineers ensure that each appliance operates optimally while complying with the city's acoustic, electrical, and architectural standards.
10. Next step!
Are you planning to install a wall-mounted heat pump or a central HVAC system in Longueuil?
AirGreen supports you from the first contact to final compliance .
Our experts evaluate your project, check the applicable regulations, and ensure an installation that is efficient, discreet, and compliant .
👉 Contact us today for a free on-site estimate , and benefit from comprehensive, professional and transparent support.