Pittsburgh City Zoning Code

Facilitate development of good quality;

Spur reinvestment in the existing building stock;

Recognize and preserve the uniqueness of Pittsburgh, including its natural and human-made environment;

Maintain and strengthen the City's neighborhoods;

Ensure appropriate opportunities for participation and involvement by all affected parties;

Control the impacts associated with land uses;

Ensure predictability and consistency in the land development process for neighborhood, business and development interests;

Preserve and enhance the Public Realm; and

Facilitate administration and enforcement of the City regulations.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mandatory and Discretionary Terms. The word "shall" is always mandatory. The words "may" and "should" are always permissive.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Base Zoning Districts. The following Base Zoning Districts are hereby established:

Overlay Zoning Districts. The following Overlay Zoning Districts are hereby established:

Public Realm Districts. The following Public Realm Districts are established:

Planned Development Districts. The following Planned Development Districts are hereby established:

H, Hillside.

P, Park.

R1D, Residential Single-Unit Detached.

R1A, Residential Single-Unit Attached.

R2, Residential Two-Unit.

R3, Residential Three-Unit.

RM, Residential Multi-Unit.

R-MU Residential - Mixed Use.

NDO, Neighborhood Office.

LNC, Limited Neighborhood Commercial.

OPD, Oakland Public Realm, SP-7, Oakland Planned Unit Development.

UC-MU, Urban Center - Mixed Use.

UC-E, Urban Center - Employment.

NDI, Neighborhood Industrial.

UNC, Urban Neighborhood Commercial.

HC, Highway Commercial.

EMI, Educational/Medical Institution.

UI, Urban Industrial District.

GI, General Industrial.

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.

District Boundaries. The following provisions shall govern interpretations regarding the location of zoning district boundaries shown on the zoning map.

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.