Pittsburgh, PA Accessory Structures: ADU Owner Occupancy (2026)
Key Facts
- Owner-occupancy
- Owner must reside on-site
- Max ADU size
- 800 square feet
- Units per lot
- One ADU per zoning lot
- Minimum lease
- 30 days (no short-term rental)
- Before occupancy
- Recorded deed restriction required
Summary
Pittsburgh's Accessory Dwelling Unit Overlay District requires the property owner to live on-site whenever an ADU is present on the lot, per Zoning Code Section 912.08.E.4, alongside an 800-square-foot size cap and other standards.
The owner of a property with an Accessory Dwelling Unit must reside on-site;
5. Accessory Dwelling Unit shall not exceed two (2) stories, or thirty (30) feet in height;
6. Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be exempt from the minimum lot size and minimum lot size per unit requirements of the underlying zoning district;
7. Aside from the provisions of Section 912.08.E.5 and Section 912.08.E.6, Accessory Dwelling Units shall comply with the development standards of the underlying zoning district and other applicable requirements of the Code, except for the minimum lot size per unit requirement;
8. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for an Accessory Dwelling Unit, the Applicant shall record a deed restriction obliging current and future property owners to maintain compliance with Section 912.08.E and Section 912.08.E.d[4];
9. Accessory Dwelling Units shall be exempt from the on-site parking requirements of Section 914; and 10. Accessory Dwelling Units shall only be permitted as accessory to structures with no more than one (1) legally established residential dwelling unit.
Full Breakdown
Created by Ordinance 32-2018 as an interim overlay district, Section 912.08 lets one accessory dwelling unit share a lot with a single-family home, but Section 912.08.E.4 requires the property owner to reside on-site. Other Section E standards cap the ADU at 800 square feet, limit it to two stories or 30 feet, bar leases shorter than 30 days, exempt it from minimum lot size and off-street parking rules, and require a recorded deed restriction before a Certificate of Occupancy issues, binding future owners to the same conditions.
Violations & Fines
The Bureau of Building Inspection enforces the Zoning Code. Under Section 924.04.G, violations carry a fine of up to $1,000 per offense plus costs, with each day of continued violation a separate offense, and the city can also withhold or revoke permits and Certificates of Occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent out my Pittsburgh ADU as a short-term rental?
If I sell my house, does the ADU owner-occupancy rule still apply?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pittsburgh
Compare Pittsburgh to another location·View the Pennsylvania accessory structures overview
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