Washington Park East Neighborhood Association

May 2002 - Get Cool without the Heat

May 01, 2002

Your WPENA Zoning Committee has reviewed several appeals in the past year involving the installation of air conditioners. In an effort to help you get the "cool" you want this summer without any "heat" from your neighbors, here are some things you might want to consider before choosing the location for an air
conditioning unit on your property:
1) Be aware of the city's ordinance. No. 59-119(2)c.2.(e) explains that air-conditioning units cannot be placed in the five foot side setbacks.
2) Insist that the installer get a permit. This is for your protection! Often companies will talk the homeowner out of requiring a permit under the guise of saving a nominal amount of money. Without a permit, the installer is less accountable for proper installation, and it is much more difficult for the homeowner to seek recourse if there is a problem. Almost all of the issues the WPENA'S Zoning Committee helped mitigate involving air-conditioners would have been prevented if a permit had been pulled. 3) Be mindful of your neighbor's quality of life. Air conditioners generate operating noise, heat and odor, all of which are annoying and have a negative impact on your next door neighbor's
quality of life (the ability to sleep, rest, or carry on a conversation outdoors, and/or enjoy outdoor living can be effected). Try to avoid placing an air conditioner in the vicinity of your neighbor's bedroom window, for example. Except in extreme cases, place your air-conditioner in the backyard.
4) Consider our neighborhood's character and charm. How will the placement of the air conditioner affect the appearance of
your home? Is it visible from the street; does it detract from your home's "street appeal". Although it may mean running additional pipe, if will be well worth it to have good relations with your neighbors.
5) Be a good neighbor.