Pittsburgh City Zoning Code
ARTICLE I
Introduction and Establishment
§ 901.01 Title.
The official title of this document is "Zoning Code of the City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania," although it may be referred throughout this document as the "Zoning Code" or simply as the "Code."
§ 901.02 Official Zoning Code and District Map.
[Ord. No. 31-2018, § 1, eff. 8-6-2018]
An up-to-date, official copy of this Zoning Code and the Official Zoning District and Height Maps shall be on file in the office of the Zoning Administrator. Interested persons may view the official Code and Maps during regular business hours. In the case of any dispute regarding the text of this Zoning Code or the Zoning District and Height Maps, the official Zoning Code and Zoning District and Height Maps as established in Section 902.03 and maintained by the Zoning Administrator shall prevail.
§ 901.03 Purpose and Intent.
Whereas the City Council of Pittsburgh deems it necessary in order to encourage and protect the most appropriate use of land throughout the city; to stabilize and conserve the value of land and buildings; to provide adequate light and air; to secure safety from fire, panic and other danger; to prevent overcrowding of land; to lessen congestion of streets; to facilitate adequate provision of water, sewerage, transportation, schools, parks, playgrounds and other public requirements; to facilitate the programming and execution of public and private development in harmony with these purposes, and in general to promote the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the community, all with the guidance of a comprehensive general city plan and in accordance with a comprehensive Zoning Ordinance; now therefore this Zoning Ordinance is ordained and enacted.
This Code is adopted for the purpose of preserving and improving the public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of Pittsburgh. More specifically, it is the purpose of this Code to:
(a)
Facilitate development of good quality;
(b)
Spur reinvestment in the existing building stock;
(c)
Recognize and preserve the uniqueness of Pittsburgh, including its natural and human-made environment;
(d)
Maintain and strengthen the City's neighborhoods;
(e)
Ensure appropriate opportunities for participation and involvement by all affected parties;
(f)
Control the impacts associated with land uses;
(g)
Ensure predictability and consistency in the land development process for neighborhood, business and development interests;
(h)
Preserve and enhance the Public Realm; and
(i)
Facilitate administration and enforcement of the City regulations.
The provisions of this ordinance shall be held to be the minimum requirements to achieve the above purposes. |
§ 901.04 Applicability.
The provisions of this Code shall apply within the corporate limits of the City.
§ 901.05 Effective Date.
Unless otherwise specifically stated, the provisions of this Code shall become effective on February 26, 1999.
§ 901.06 Repealing of Previous Code.
The text of the Zoning Code of the City of Pittsburgh, effective May 10, 1958 and as amended, is hereby amended and reenacted in its entirety, replacing all provisions thereof with the provisions herein, except for the Zoning District Boundary Map which remains in effect along with the Conversion Table relating to the Zoning Districts described herein.
§ 901.07 Rules of Construction.
A.
Meanings and Intent. All provisions, terms, phrases and expressions contained in this Zoning Code are to be construed in accordance with the Code's purposes and intent.
B.
Headings and Graphic Illustrations. In case of any difference of meaning or implication between the text of this Zoning Code and any heading or graphic illustration, the text shall control.
1.
Headings. Section headings and subheadings are for convenience only and do not modify or limit the meaning or intent of any provision.
2.
Graphic Illustrations. Graphic illustrations are intended to help in conveying the substance and intent of the Code's text; they should be used in interpreting Code provisions. Graphic illustrations are a part of this Code, but when a graphic illustration conflicts with the text, the text shall control.
C.
Computation of Time. The time within which an act is to be completed shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last day; if the last day is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the time within which such act must be completed shall be extended to the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. In the computation of time for public hearing notice, both the first day (day of the advertisement) and the last day (day of the hearing) shall be excluded.
D.
Delegation of Authority. Whenever a provision appears requiring the head of a department or another officer or employee to perform an act or duty, that provision shall be construed as authorizing the department head or officer to delegate the responsibility to other employees, unless the terms of the provision specify otherwise.
E.
Technical and Nontechnical Words. Words and phrases shall be construed according to the common and approved usage of the language, but technical words and phrases that may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be construed and understood according to such meaning.
F.
Public Officials and Agencies. All public officials, bodies, and agencies to which references are made are those of the City of Pittsburgh, unless otherwise indicated.
G.
Mandatory and Discretionary Terms. The word "shall" is always mandatory. The words "may" and "should" are always permissive.
H.
Conjunctions. Unless the context clearly indicates the contrary, the term "and" indicates that all connected items, conditions, provisions or events apply. The term "or" indicates that one (1) of the connected items, conditions, provisions or events apply.
I.
Tense and Usage. Words used in one (1) tense (past, present or future) include all other tenses, unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. The singular shall include the plural, and the plural shall include the singular.
§ 901.08 Conflicting Provisions.
A.
Conflict with Other Regulations. In the event that the provisions of this Code are inconsistent with one (1) another or if the provisions of this Code conflict with provisions found in other adopted ordinances or health regulations of the city, the more restrictive provision shall control.
B.
Conflict with Private Restrictions. It is not the intent of this Code to interfere with, abrogate or annul any easement, covenant, deed restriction or other agreement between private parties. When the provisions of this Code impose a greater restriction than imposed by such private agreement, the provisions of this Code shall control.
§ 901.09 Zoning of Annexed Areas.
Any area annexed to the City shall be classified into the RSD-1 district immediately upon annexation, unless a different zoning plan for the newly annexed area is established in accordance with the Zoning Map Amendment procedures of Section 922.05.
§ 901.10 Transitional Provisions.
The following transitional provisions shall apply to activities, actions and other matters pending or occurring on the effective date specified by the provisions of Section 901.05.
A.
Violations Continue. Any violation of the zoning regulations in effect before the effective date specified by the provisions of Section 901.05 shall continue to be a violation under this Code and shall be subject to penalties and enforcement under Chapter 924, unless the use, development, construction or other activity is clearly consistent with the express terms of this Code.
B.
Nonconformities Under Previous Ordinance. Any legal nonconformity under the zoning regulations in effect before the effective date specified by the provisions of Section 901.05 shall be considered a legal nonconformity under this Code, so long as the situation that resulted in the nonconforming situation under the previous regulations continues to exist. If, however, a nonconformity under a prior ordinance becomes conforming because of the adoption of this Code or any subsequent amendment to this Code, then such situation shall no longer be considered a nonconformity.
C.
Completion of Development Plans. Any building or development for which a permit was issued or for which complete plans were submitted before the effective date specified by the provisions of Section 901.05 may be completed in conformance with the issued permit and other applicable permits and conditions, including the plans submitted for the approval of the permit, even if such building or development does not fully comply with the provisions of this Code. If construction is not commenced or completed in accordance with the applicable permit terms, the Zoning Board of Adjustment may, for good cause shown, grant not more than one (1) extension of up to six (6) months for such construction. If the building or construction is not completed in a timely manner, within the time allowed under the original permit or any extension granted, then the building may be constructed, completed or occupied only in strict compliance with the requirements of this Code.
§ 901.11 Severability.
If a Court of competent jurisdiction declares any part of this Code to be invalid, that ruling shall not affect any other provisions of this Code not specifically included in the ruling.
§ 902.01 Establishment of Zoning Districts.
[Ord. 16-2002, § 1, 6-4-2002; Ord. 44-2003, eff. 12-31-2003; Ord. 40-2005, § 1A, eff. 12-30-2005; Ord. No. 23-2012, § 1.A., 12-12-2012; Ord. No. 28-2012, § 1.A., 12-27-2012; Ord. No. 28-13, § 1.A., 10-23-2013; Ord. No. 1-2015, § 1.A., 2-10-2015; Ord. No. 31-2018, § 2, eff. 8-6-2018; Ord. No. 2-2019, § 1, eff. 1-10-2019; Ord. No. 34-2021, § 1, eff. 10-11-2021; Ord. No. 1-2023, § 6, eff. 3-1-2023]
A.
Base Zoning Districts. The following Base Zoning Districts are hereby established:
1.
Residential Zoning Districts. Residential Zoning Districts are formed by combining a Use Subdistrict with a Development Subdistrict. The following Use and Development Subdistricts are established:
2.
Mixed-Use Zoning Districts. The following Use Districts are established:
(a)
NDO, Neighborhood Office.
(b)
LNC, Local Neighborhood Commercial.
(c)
NDI, Neighborhood Industrial.
(d)
UNC, Urban Neighborhood Commercial.
(e)
HC, Highway Commercial.
(f)
GI, General Industrial.
(h)
UC-MU, Urban Center - Mixed Use.
(i)
UC-E, Urban Center - Employment.
(j)
R-MU Residential - Mixed Use.
3.
Special Purpose Districts. The following Special Purpose Districts are established:
B.
Overlay Zoning Districts. The following Overlay Zoning Districts are hereby established:
D.
Planned Development Districts. The following Planned Development Districts are hereby established:
1.
SP, Specially Planned. The following Specially Planned Districts are hereby established:
(a)
SP-1, Pittsburgh Technology Center.
(b)
(Reserved)
(c)
(Reserved)
(d)
SP-4, Station Square.
(e)
SP-5, South Side Works.
(f)
SP-6, Palisades Park.
(g)
SP-7, Oakland Planned Unit Development District.
(h)
SP-8, Riverfront Landing.
(i)
SP-9, Bakery Square.
(j)
SP-10, Hazelwood Green.
(k)
SP-11, Lower Hill Planned Development District.
§ 902.02 Zoning District Hierarchy.
[Ord. 25-2001, § 1A, eff. 11-30-2001; Ord. 44-2003, eff. 12-31-2003; Ord. 40-2005, § 1A, eff. 12-30-2005; Ord. No. 12-2008, § 1A, eff. 8-19-2008; Ord. No. 31-2018, § 2, eff. 8-6-2018; Ord. No. 1-2023, § 6, 3-1-2023]
References in this Code to less restrictive or more restrictive zoning districts refer to the base zoning districts established by Section 902.01 and represent a progression from the most restrictive to least restrictive as follows:
A.
H, Hillside.
B.
P, Park.
C.
R1D, Residential Single-Unit Detached.
D.
R1A, Residential Single-Unit Attached.
E.
R2, Residential Two-Unit.
F.
R3, Residential Three-Unit.
G.
RM, Residential Multi-Unit.
H.
R-MU Residential - Mixed Use.
I.
NDO, Neighborhood Office.
J.
LNC, Limited Neighborhood Commercial.
K.
OPD, Oakland Public Realm, SP-7, Oakland Planned Unit Development.
L.
UC-MU, Urban Center - Mixed Use.
M.
UC-E, Urban Center - Employment.
N.
NDI, Neighborhood Industrial.
O.
UNC, Urban Neighborhood Commercial.
P.
HC, Highway Commercial.
Q.
EMI, Educational/Medical Institution.
R.
UI, Urban Industrial District.
S.
GI, General Industrial.
Public Realm districts, Downtown Districts, Riverfront Districts, Overlay Zoning Districts, and Planned Development Districts are not included in the zoning district hierarchy. |
§ 902.03 Zoning Map.
A.
Adoption. The boundaries of the zoning districts established by this Code shall be shown on a map or series of maps designated as the "Zoning District Map", which is adopted as part of this Code. Original copies of such maps and all amendments thereto shall be maintained in the office of the Zoning Administrator. In case of any dispute regarding the zoning classification of property subject to this Code, the original copies maintained by the Zoning Administrator shall control.
B.
District Boundaries. The following provisions shall govern interpretations regarding the location of zoning district boundaries shown on the zoning map.
1.
Streets and Ways. A zoning district boundary shown as approximately following a street or way shall be construed to be in the center of the street or way. If the street or way is vacated, its centerline shall remain the district boundary until the boundary is changed by a zoning map amendment.
2.
Lot Lines. A zoning district boundary shown as approximately following the boundary line of a recorded lot or separate parcel of land shall be construed to be the boundary of the recorded lot or parcel of land. If a recorded lot line cannot be used to determine the boundary, its location shall be determined by use of the scale shown on the Zoning District Map.
3.
Uncertainties. Where physical features existing on the ground contradict those shown on the official zoning map, or in case any other uncertainty exists regarding the boundary of zoning districts, the location of district boundaries shall be determined by the Zoning Board of Adjustment in accordance with the procedures of Section 923.02.B.
C.
Environmental Overlay District Boundaries. The boundaries of the Environmental Overlay Districts are intended to correspond to the location of the regulated or protected natural resources. The boundaries of those districts are based upon the best information available at the time of enactment. If land is determined to be incorrectly included within an Environmental Overlay District, the boundary shall be amended in accordance with the Zoning Map Amendment procedures of Section 922.05.