Heating and Cooling Repair in Lake Oswego, OR

Quick answer

In Lake Oswego, the City of Lake Oswego issues mechanical permits, and a new heat pump or air conditioner needs a site plan showing its distance to every property line. HVAC Repair Guys repairs heating and cooling systems in Lake Oswego homes. You'll know what's wrong and what it takes before you decide anything.

Key facts

Counties	Mostly Clackamas; northern edge in Multnomah, western edge in Washington
HVAC permits issued by	City of Lake Oswego
Heat pump or AC setbacks	5 ft interior side, 10 ft rear, plus the zone's front setback
Contractor license check (Oregon CCB)	CCB license plus a Lake Oswego or Metro business license
Utilities	PGE electric and NW Natural gas, per the city
Smell gas?	Get out, then call 911 and NW Natural at 800-882-3377

What does Lake Oswego need to permit a heat pump or AC?

A mechanical permit with a full description of the work, plus a site plan. The city says mechanical-only permits don't need construction plans, but installing an air conditioner, heat pump, or gas generator requires a site plan showing the unit's distance to all property lines.

The city checks that plan against zoning so the unit doesn't land in a required setback. The application also asks for your contractor's name, phone number, and CCB license number, unless you're a homeowner doing your own work.

How far from the property line must a heat pump be in Lake Oswego?

Lake Oswego's supplemental setback handout lists these minimums for residential heat pumps, air conditioners, and similar noise-making equipment. The unit must also meet the front setback for your zone.

The handout adds that the smaller setbacks allowed for some accessory structures don't apply to noise-making equipment such as AC units, heat pumps, pool equipment, and generators. It's an informal guide, so the Planning Department has the final word for your lot.

Where the unit sits	Minimum setback
Interior side yard	5 ft
Street side yard, local street	10 ft
Street side yard, other streets	15 ft
Rear yard	10 ft

Will the new unit or its lines affect a tree? Lake Oswego says you need a tree cutting permit from the Planning Department before a project removes a tree.

Not sure what's wrong yet?

Start with the safe checks. Many problems are a setting, a breaker, or a filter.

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Does my Lake Oswego contractor need more than a state license?

Yes. The city says every contractor must be licensed by the state to work in Oregon and must also hold either a City of Lake Oswego business license or a Metro business license.

1Ask for the contractor's CCB number and run it through the CCB license search.
2Ask which local license they carry: the City of Lake Oswego's or Metro's.
3Check that the business name on both licenses matches your quote.
4Confirm the permit application will list the contractor's CCB number, as the city requires.

Which utilities serve Lake Oswego homes?

The City of Lake Oswego lists Portland General Electric for electricity and NW Natural for natural gas. PGE holds the city's electric franchise, which runs through December 2034.

Both take part in Energy Trust of Oregon. If you're thinking about replacing baseboard or wall heaters with a ductless heat pump, note that Energy Trust's ductless offers require replacing electric resistance heat in the main living space. You may qualify — we'll confirm.

Which county is my Lake Oswego home in, and does it matter?

Most of Lake Oswego is in Clackamas County, but the city says its northern edge reaches into Multnomah County and its western edge into Washington County. For a home inside city limits, the City of Lake Oswego handles the HVAC permit no matter which county it's in.

County lines matter more for addresses outside the city. Clackamas County's Building Codes page has a check for whether a project falls in county jurisdiction, and its CMAP property search shows details such as your utility provider.

What should I do about a gas smell or CO alarm in Lake Oswego?

Leave the house, then call 911 from outside. The city's phone list names NW Natural as the contact if you smell gas, and NW Natural's 24-hour gas odor line is 800-882-3377.

1Don't stop to search for the smell. Go, even if it seems faint.
2Skip every possible spark on the way: switches, phones, matches, flashlights, and car engines.
3Call 911 and NW Natural once you're a safe distance away.
4A beeping carbon monoxide alarm means everyone goes outdoors for fresh air. Dial 911 from there.

The U.S. EPA says carbon monoxide can cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, and nausea, and flu-like symptoms that clear up after leaving home. If that pattern sounds familiar, get fresh air and call 911.

Common questions

Do I need a site plan to install a heat pump in Lake Oswego?

Yes. Lake Oswego requires a site plan for a new air conditioner, heat pump, or gas generator. It must show the unit's distance to every property line so the city can check setbacks.

Can a Lake Oswego heat pump go in the side yard?

Yes, if it meets the setback. The city's planning handout lists 5 feet from an interior side property line, and 10 or 15 feet on a street side. Check with Planning for your lot.

What business license does a contractor need to work in Lake Oswego?

Either a City of Lake Oswego business license or a Metro business license, plus an Oregon CCB license. The city says all contractors must be state licensed to work in Oregon.

Who is the electric utility in Lake Oswego?

Portland General Electric. PGE holds Lake Oswego's electric franchise, and the city lists PGE for electric service. Your bill will confirm it.

Is all of Lake Oswego in Clackamas County?

No. Most of the city is in Clackamas County, but the northern edge is in Multnomah County and the western edge is in Washington County. City permit rules apply in all three parts.

Do I need a permit to remove a tree for a new outdoor unit in Lake Oswego?

Lake Oswego says a tree cutting permit from the Planning Department comes first if a project requires removing a tree. Talk to Planning before you settle on a spot.