Installing air conditioning in a Paris apartment: the copropriété rules explained

Paris summers are getting hotter, and more and more expats are looking at air conditioning. The good news: it is usually possible in an apartment. The catch: in a copropriété (a building owned by several co-owners), you normally need permission first. Here is how it works, in plain English.

1. Check where the outdoor unit would go

A standard split system has an indoor unit on your wall and an outdoor unit (the compressor) outside. Where that outdoor unit goes decides almost everything:

• On the façade, roof or courtyard wall: these are common parts of the building, so you need the co-owners’ approval.
• On your own balcony or terrace: even if the balcony is yours, fixing a unit to the wall or making it visible from the street usually still counts as changing the building’s exterior, so approval is generally still needed.
• Hidden and not fixed to common parts: sometimes possible without a vote, but always check your règlement de copropriété (building rules) first.

2. Get the co-owners’ vote (assemblée générale)

Works that affect the common parts or the outside look of the building have to be approved at the co-owners’ general meeting (assemblée générale, or AG), under article 25 of the law of 10 July 1965. That means a majority of all co-owners in the building, not just those who turn up.

In practice:

1. Write to your syndic (building manager) asking to add your request to the next AG agenda.
2. Attach the installer’s quote, the model and its noise level, and a photo or sketch showing where the outdoor unit will go.
3. Wait for the vote. AGs are usually held once a year, so plan ahead — ideally in autumn or winter for a summer install.

3. Tell the town hall if the façade changes

If the outdoor unit changes how the building looks from outside, you generally also need to file a déclaration préalable de travaux with the mairie. Paris has strict planning rules, especially in protected areas and on listed or Haussmann-style façades, so expect them to care about where the unit sits and whether it is visible.

4. Think about noise and your neighbours

Outdoor units make noise, and French law protects neighbours from repeated or intense noise. Choose a quiet model, use anti-vibration mounts and avoid placing the unit right under a neighbour’s bedroom window. A good installer will advise on this during the site visit.

What happens if you skip the permission?

It can be expensive. The building can take you to court and you may be ordered to remove the unit and repair the façade at your own cost, plus possible damages to neighbours. It is not worth the risk.

Renting? Ask your landlord first

Tenants need the written agreement of their landlord, who in turn needs the building’s approval. If that is not possible, a mobile (monobloc) unit may be the only option.

How Tradingjo helps

We visit your apartment, suggest the best and most discreet position for the outdoor unit, and give you the quote and technical sheet your syndic will ask for. We can also help you word your request to the AG, in French, so you are not lost in the paperwork.

Last checked: October 2026. Rules and grants change often; this guide is general information, not legal or financial advice.