Air conditioning or heat pump at your home

You want to install an air conditioner or heat pump at your home. In most cases you do not need a permit for this. If you do need a permit, you can apply for it via the Environment Desk.
Applying for a permit Environment Desk

What do you need to know

You may or may not need an environmental permit in the following cases:

Air conditioning or heat pump on the ground

You do not need an environmental permit:

  • If the device is lower than 1 meter and the surface area is no more than 2 m2, except in the case of a monument en in a protected cityscape  at the front or side of your home, or in a place that faces a publicly accessible area

Air conditioning or heat pump on or attached to a building

You do not need an environmental permit:

  • If the device is smaller than 0,5 meters (measured perpendicular to the facade or roof)

You do need an environmental permit:

  • If you place the device on or attached to a monument places  
  • If you live in a protected cityscape and you place the device on the front or side facade, or the front or side roof surface or if you place the device on your rear facade or rear roof surface, and that facade or roof surface faces a publicly accessible area
  • Whether you live in a monument or in a protected urban area, you can see on the map monuments and protected cityscape

Sound conditions

Permit-free does not mean regulation-free. You must always adhere to the noise conditions that apply since April 1, 2021. The exact requirements can be found in the Buildings and Living Environment Decree, articles 4.107 and 4.108. If in doubt, ask your supplier. 

Design

  • If you want to install an air conditioner or heat pump, we recommend that you discuss this with your neighbours. Make sure they don't have any noise nuisance
  • We recommend placing the device out of sight as much as possible and choosing a device that is as inconspicuous as possible. Use as many materials and colors as possible that match the environment  
  • A noise level of 30 dB or 40 dB is clearly audible. Less noise is better for your living environment and for yourself
  • To dampen the sound, you can, for example, place a box around the device (suspension box) and/or place the device on rubbers or springs.
  • Write down agreements you make with your neighbors

What do you have to do

Request

  • You submit the application digitally via Environment counter. You need your DigiD or eHerkenning for this. For activity you must request 'Construction activity (environmental plan)'

  • Or you make the request in writing. In the Environment counter start the application and answer the questions. You can download, print and send the digital application form to the municipality by post. Send the application form with attachments to the following address: 
        
       Municipality of Hilversum 
       Public Affairs Department, Permits team
       P.O. Box 9900 
       1201 GM Hilversum 

    Do not put personal data on drawings, calculations or reports to protect your privacy

Send along

  • Situation drawing or cut-out of cadastral map where the global placement is drawn
  • Photos (in colour), also of the surroundings
  • Photo or sketch (plan or facade view) showing where the unit will be placed, of both the existing and new situation
  • Product information about type, dimensions, color and material
  • If you rent, permission from your landlord

After your request

  • After your request you will receive a confirmation email
  • We will only process your application once you have submitted all documents and data
  • We will process your request within 8 weeks. The municipality may extend this period once by a maximum of 1 weeks. You will receive an email if this is necessary
  • If your application is not complete, the municipality will send you an email to send you the missing information. The time you get for this does not count in the treatment period of 8 weeks
  • You will receive the decision by email. The decision will also be published on government.nl

6 weeks of objection  

  • After the decision on your permit application, you can: to object. This is allowed within 6 weeks after the decision has been made
  • Other people may also object  
  • The day after you have received the permit, you may start activities at your own risk as long as they can be reversed
  • You may be required to reverse the changes at your own expense if an objection is accepted  
  • We therefore recommend that you only start your work a few days after these 6 weeks  
  • As an applicant, you will be notified if there is an objection  

Report when you start and when work is completed

  •    You must always report when you start construction
  •  You do this at least 2 working days before the start of construction
  •  You report it via Environment counter
  •  You must also inform the municipality no later than the first working day after the work has been completed
  • You may not use the structure before you have informed the municipality

What does it cost

  • We charge costs for processing an environmental permit application
  • The costs vary per request and number of activities. For example, a permit for (re)building costs a percentage of the contract price (the amount for which a construction company does the work, without VAT).
  • Additional costs may be incurred, for example for deviations from the environmental plan
  • You will find information about the structure of costs in article 2.3 of the Fee ordinance and costs per activity in Chapter 2 of the Fee ordinance
  • You also pay fees if:
    • the permit is refused
    • the application will not be processed
    • you withdraw the application
    • You also pay costs if the permit is not issued or if you stop the application

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact the Public Affairs department, Permits team, at 14 035 or through the contact form..

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