Do I need a permit for the heat pump?

Burgenland

partially documented, clarify details with the Bauamt (building authority)

Air-source heat pump

In Burgenland, outdoor heat pumps are considered a minor building project if their operating noise is at most 35 dB (§ 16 Para. 3 Item 10 Bgld. BauG). In this case, you do not need a building permit procedure. However, you must notify the project in writing to the Gemeindeamt (municipal office) with the necessary documents at least 14 days before construction begins (§ 16 Para. 1). In cases of doubt, the building authority will determine whether a building permit procedure is required after all (§ 16 Para. 2).

If the unit exceeds 35 dB, it is no longer considered a minor project. You should clarify which procedure applies with the Bauamt (building authority) of your municipality. The law does not explicitly state where and how the 35 dB are to be determined. Have your installer coordinate this with the Bauamt in advance.

Distance and noise

The Burgenländische Heizungs- und Klimaanlagenverordnung 2019 (Burgenland Heating and Air Conditioning Systems Regulation 2019) sets limit values for the sound pressure level at the property boundary (§ 24c Bgld. HK-VO 2019), for day (6 am to 7 pm) / evening / night (10 pm to 6 am) respectively:

• Residential area: 40 / 35 / 30 dB
• Mixed building area: 45 / 40 / 35 dB
• Village area: 50 / 45 / 40 dB

These values may be exceeded if the existing base level at the boundary is increased by a maximum of 3 dB. Heat pumps are measured under typical operating conditions. The law and regulation do not specify a fixed minimum distance in metres.

Geothermal energy and groundwater

For geothermal probes, the state requires a water rights submission to the Bezirkshauptmannschaft (district authority) or the Magistrat (municipal authority) (§ 31c WRG). The project must first be notified in broad outline to the water management planning body at the Amt der Landesregierung (Office of the State Government) (§ 55 WRG). The project documents must be prepared by an expert (§ 103 WRG). A groundwater heat pump always requires a water rights permit (§ 10 Para. 2 WRG). Whether your horizontal collector is relevant under water law depends on the location (protection or conservation area). Ask the Bezirkshauptmannschaft (district authority) for details.

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Carinthia

partially documented, clarify details with the Bauamt (building authority)

Air-source heat pump

In Carinthia, the building regulations do not apply at all to space and combination heaters with heat pumps whose outdoor sound power level is at most 45 dB (§ 2 Para. 2 lit. t K-BO 1996). You therefore do not need a building permit or notification for such a quiet unit. The sound power level according to the data sheet is decisive.

If the unit is louder, the building regulations apply. According to § 7 Para. 1 lit. a Item 20 K-BO, structures that generate renewable energy within the meaning of the Raumordnungsgesetz (Spatial Planning Act) are subject to notification. Whether a louder outdoor heat pump unit falls under this or requires a building permit according to § 6 K-BO is not entirely clear from the text of the law. Ask the Bauamt (building authority) of your municipality in advance.

Distance and noise

We did not find a specific distance rule for heat pumps in the K-BO. The 45 dB limit is a unit value, not a level at the property boundary. In the building permit procedure, neighbours can object regarding protection against emissions (§ 23 Para. 3 lit. i K-BO). According to the federal government's noise information website, an expert opinion is required in Carinthia for louder units, and the information sheet from Forum Schall on noise protection for air source heat pumps is used. Under civil law, § 364 Para. 2 ABGB applies.

Geothermal energy and groundwater

According to the information sheet of the State of Carinthia, for a groundwater heat pump, both the extraction and the return of water into the ground require a water rights permit (§ 10 Para. 2 and § 32 Para. 2 lit. b WRG). The Bezirkshauptmannschaft (district authority) or the Magistrat (municipal authority) is responsible for up to 5 l/s, and the Amt der Landesregierung (Office of the State Government) for anything above that. For geothermal probes and horizontal collectors, § 31c Para. 5 WRG applies. We did not find a specific Carinthian rule for this: ask the Bezirkshauptmannschaft (district authority) whether your location is in a protection or conservation area.

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Lower Austria

documented with reference

Air-source heat pump

In Lower Austria, heat pumps with a nominal output of up to 70 kW do not require a permit, notification or reporting (§ 17 Item 7 NÖ BO 2014). This applies to practically every heat pump for a single- or two-family home. Above 70 kW, installation in or in structural connection with buildings must be reported (§ 16 Para. 1 Item 1).

An important exception: In protection zones, historic town centres worthy of preservation and areas with a building freeze for this purpose, you need a building permit in a simplified procedure to install or replace a heat pump in areas visible from publicly accessible spaces. The protection of the townscape is examined in this process (§ 15 Para. 1 Item 13 lit. b sublit. aa). The Gemeindeamt (municipal office) can tell you whether your house is located in such an area.

Distance and noise

We did not find a specific distance or noise rule for heat pumps in the NÖ Bauordnung (Lower Austrian Building Regulations). In general, emissions from structures must not endanger people or cause locally unreasonable nuisance (§ 48 NÖ BO 2014). According to the federal government's noise information website, there are no central noise regulations for air source heat pumps in Lower Austria. In the event of a dispute with a neighbour, civil law applies (§ 364 Para. 2 ABGB). You should therefore place the outdoor unit at a distance from the boundary and not in a corner.

Geothermal energy and groundwater

Geothermal energy and groundwater are regulated by water law. A groundwater heat pump requires a water rights permit (§ 10 Para. 2 WRG). According to the state's brochure, some geothermal systems always require a permit, while others only do so under certain conditions. For deep probes in the cases of § 31c Para. 5 WRG, a simplified notification procedure applies: after three months, the permit is deemed granted and is limited to 25 years. The Bezirkshauptmannschaft (district authority) or the Magistrat (municipal authority) is responsible.

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Upper Austria

partially documented, clarify details with the Bauamt (building authority)

Air-source heat pump

The Oö. Bauordnung (Upper Austrian Building Regulations) mentions heat pumps neither under projects requiring authorisation (§ 24) nor under those requiring notification (§ 25). What is not listed there requires neither a building permit nor a building notification (§ 26 Oö. BauO 1994). Normally, an air-source heat pump is therefore exempt under building law.

However, other structures that, due to their location, type or surroundings, could cause a significant nuisance to people or disturb the local townscape and landscape require authorisation (§ 24 para 1 no 2). Whether this applies to your outdoor unit, for example directly on the property boundary, is assessed by the Gemeinde (municipality) on a case-by-case basis. There is no clear capacity or decibel limit for this. You should therefore check with the Bauamt (building authority) in advance.

Distance and noise

Building services systems must be installed and set up in such a way that users of their own or an immediately adjacent building are not disturbed by noise (§ 34 in conjunction with § 32 para 1 Oö. BauTG 2013). The law does not specify fixed distances or decibel values for heat pumps. According to the federal noise information website, there are no central noise regulations in Upper Austria. Civil law applies in relation to neighbours (§ 364 para 2 ABGB).

Geothermal energy and groundwater

According to the state's information sheet, the water law obligation for geothermal probes is limited to four cases: water protection and conservation areas, settlements without a central drinking water supply, depths of over 300 m, and areas with confined or artesian groundwater (§ 31c para 5 WRG). In these cases, the notification procedure under § 114 WRG applies. If cooling of the groundwater is to be expected, for example with larger probe fields, a procedure under § 32 WRG is required. Applications in water protection zones I and II will be rejected. Groundwater heat pumps require authorisation (§ 10 para 2 WRG).

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Salzburg

documented with reference

Air-source heat pump

In Salzburg, technical installations such as heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems generally require authorisation if they can significantly affect structural engineering matters (§ 2 para 1 no 2 BauPolG). However, for air-source heat pumps there is a simpler notification procedure (§ 3a paras 1 and 2 BauPolG) if the noise at the neighbour's property boundary does not exceed 40 dB(A) during the day and 33 dB(A) at night. In purely residential areas, the night-time limit is 30 dB(A).

The authority has four weeks to respond. If they do not get in touch or only confirm completeness, the measure is deemed authorised (§ 3a para 4). The notification procedure does not apply in townscape protection areas, in the old town protection area of the city of Salzburg, or for buildings subject to a preservation order (§ 3a para 1a). In those cases and for louder units, you will need a standard authorisation procedure.

Distance and noise

The decisive factors are the limit values at the neighbour's boundary from § 3a BauPolG: 40 dB(A) during the day, 33 dB(A) at night, and 30 dB(A) at night in purely residential areas. The law does not specify a fixed minimum distance in metres. How far away you need to be from your neighbour depends on the unit and the installation site. The city of Salzburg requires an acoustic assessment and details of the refrigerant in accordance with ÖNORM EN 378 for air-source heat pumps.

Geothermal energy and groundwater

Heat pumps that require authorisation or notification under water law do not need a separate building permit (§ 2 para 2 no 16 BauPolG). According to the state's guidelines, a groundwater heat pump requires authorisation under water law (§§ 9 and 10 WRG). For geothermal probes and horizontal collectors, § 31c para 5 WRG applies: a notification procedure is required in water protection and conservation areas, in settlements without a central water supply, and for deep probes over 300 m or with confined groundwater. The responsible authority is the Bezirkshauptmannschaft (district authority) or the Magistrat (municipal authority).

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Styria

documented with reference

Air-source heat pump

In Styria, the stationary installation of a heat pump has been subject to notification since the 2026 amendment (§ 21 para 2 no 2b Stmk. BauG). The notification must be sent to the Gemeinde (municipality) before construction begins, or to the Magistrat (municipal authority) in Graz. It contains the plot number, location on the plot and a brief description (§ 21 para 3 no 1). This is accompanied by the technical data sheet and confirmation from an authorised expert that the permissible planning base level is met at the relevant property boundary (§ 21 para 3 no 5).

If this value is not met, you will need a building permit. The city of Leoben refers to this as the simplified procedure under § 20. The state's procedural manual from August 2025 still describes the previous legal situation. You should therefore clarify the procedure with your Bauamt (building authority).

Distance and noise

The decisive factor is the planning base level at the property boundary in accordance with ÖNORM S 5021, which according to the Land Steiermark (State of Styria) depends on the zoning for day / evening / night:

• purely residential area: 40 / 35 / 30 dB
• general residential area: 45 / 40 / 35 dB
• core area: 50 / 45 / 40 dB

The boundary to the nearest neighbouring property in the building land is relevant (§ 20 no 4 Stmk. BauG). The state advises against installing it close to the property boundary or the neighbouring house.

Geothermal energy and groundwater

According to the Land Steiermark (State of Styria), the extraction (§ 10 WRG) and infiltration (§ 32 para 2 lit b WRG) for groundwater heat pumps require authorisation. Both are handled in a joint procedure at the Bezirkshauptmannschaft (district authority) or, in Graz, at the Magistrat (municipal authority). For geothermal probes and horizontal collectors, § 31c para 5 WRG applies. We have not found a specific Styrian regulation on this. Ask the Bezirkshauptmannschaft (district authority) whether your location is affected.

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Tyrol

partially documented, clarify details with the Bauamt (building authority)

Air-source heat pump

The Tiroler Bauordnung 2022 (Tyrolean Building Regulations 2022) does not explicitly mention heat pumps under projects requiring authorisation or notification. Other structural installations require authorisation if they significantly affect general structural engineering requirements (§ 28 para 1 lit f TBO 2022). Whether the outdoor unit of your heat pump falls under this, requires notification or is exempt is not clearly regulated by law. You should therefore check with the Bauamt (building authority) of your Gemeinde (municipality) in advance.

Regardless of the procedure, the system must comply with the noise limit values of the Tiroler Gas-, Heizungs- und Klimaanlagenverordnung 2024 (Tyrolean Gas, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems Regulation 2024). The state recommends having the noise levels calculated during the planning stage.

Distance and noise

Structural installations required for the setup of heat pumps may be built within the minimum setback distances to the neighbour (§ 6 para 4 lit b TBO 2022). They may project beyond the building line if the townscape, streetscape and road safety are not adversely affected (§ 5 para 2). For noise, the following limits apply at the property boundary for day / evening / night (§ 3 paras 7 to 10 TGHKV 2024):

• Residential area: 40 / 35 / 30 dB
• mixed residential area, tourism area: 45 / 40 / 35 dB
• core area, mixed areas: 50 / 45 / 40 dB

An increase in the base level of at most 3 dB is permitted.

Geothermal energy and groundwater

According to the state guide (as of January 2023), the entire area up to 1,800 m above sea level in Tyrol is considered an area with confined groundwater. Geothermal probes there are therefore subject to the water law notification procedure (§ 31c Para 5 in conjunction with § 114 WRG). You must notify the Bezirkshauptmannschaft (district authority) of the project at least three months before the start of construction. The permit is limited to 25 years. After completion, you report this to the Bezirkshauptmannschaft and the Baubezirksamt (district building office). Groundwater heat pumps require a permit (§ 10 Para 2 WRG).

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Vorarlberg

documented with reference

Air-source heat pump

Since 13 June 2026, air-source heat pumps in Vorarlberg have been permit-free construction projects under certain conditions: no building permit, no building notification. According to § 3 Para 1 of the Verordnung über freie Bauvorhaben (Regulation on permit-free construction projects), this applies if

• the clearance areas and minimum distances according to §§ 5 and 6 Baugesetz (Building Act) are complied with,
• the minimum distance according to Annex 1 to the neighbour's boundary and to windows and doors of habitable rooms of other apartments is complied with,
• the unit is structure-borne noise-insulated and vibration-isolated, and
• the heat output is at most 30 kW.

A corner installation is never permit-free (§ 3 Para 2). If you do not meet a condition, you will need a building permit procedure with the municipality.

Distance and noise

The required distance depends on the installation site (free-standing, on the wall, indoors with openings to the outside) and the relevant sound power level. The maximum value according to the manufacturer is decisive, minus reductions, for example due to an acoustic hood (§ 2 lit. e of the Regulation). According to the Energieinstitut Vorarlberg, a free-standing unit with 52 dB requires a distance of 5.9 m, and 9.6 m on the wall. At 40 dB, it is 1.3 m and 1.8 m respectively. In the permit procedure, the state usually checks for 30 dB at the property boundary at night and a target value of 25 dB in front of habitable rooms.

Geothermal energy and groundwater

Geothermal heat pumps with deep probes are also permit-free under building law (§ 4 of the Regulation) if the heat pump is located in an enclosed room that is not a habitable room, the distances according to §§ 5 and 6 Baugesetz (Building Act) are met, the probes are outside designated gypsum areas and more than 200 m from permitted drinking water sources and wells, and the sound power level is at most 65 dB. Water law remains unaffected by this: you should clarify with the Bezirkshauptmannschaft (district authority) whether a notification under § 31c Para 5 WRG is required. Groundwater heat pumps require a permit (§ 10 Para 2 WRG).

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Vienna

documented with reference

Air-source heat pump

In Vienna, systems require a permit if they endanger life or health or could annoy the neighbourhood beyond locally acceptable levels (§ 61 Para 1 BO für Wien). According to the Baupolizei (building police, MA 37), a heat pump is therefore not always subject to a permit. It depends primarily on noise levels and the refrigerant.

Regarding the refrigerant, the unit is permit-free if it contains less than 1.5 kg of safety class A1 or A2L and the room with the indoor unit has at least 20 m³, or if all refrigerant-carrying parts are outdoors (monobloc). Your provider will check the noise level using the building authority's guide. If you do not need a permit, you do not have to report anything to the Baupolizei. If you replace a permitted system with an equivalent one, no new permit is required (§ 61 Para 2).

Distance and noise

The building regulations do not specify fixed distances in metres for heat pumps. Whether the unit causes unreasonable annoyance to neighbours is assessed using the building authority's Leitfaden Schallschutz haustechnische Anlagen (Guide on noise protection for building services). You do not need to submit the results sheet. In conservation areas, MA 37 recommends clarifying the situation with the Abteilung Architektur und Stadtgestaltung (Department of Architecture and Urban Design). If you live in a rented or co-owned property, you will usually need the consent of the co-owners regardless of this.

Geothermal energy and groundwater

Geothermal probes including pipes are permit-free under building law, except in green belt protection areas and areas with a planning freeze (§ 62a Para 1 No. 36 BO für Wien). After completion, you must submit a plan of the probe to the authority in electronic form (§ 62a Para 9). Regarding water law, MA 37 refers to specific submission documents for deep probes and groundwater heat pumps with the City of Vienna. The thermal use of groundwater requires a water law permit (§ 10 Para 2 WRG).

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