Pittsburgh, PA Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)
ADU rules in Pittsburgh, PA, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Key Facts
- Max unit size
- 800 sq ft
- Where allowed
- Mapped ADU Overlay District only
- Minimum lease term
- 30 days
- Owner-occupancy
- Required on-site
- Max height
- 2 stories or 30 ft
Summary
Pittsburgh caps accessory dwelling units at 800 square feet and allows only one per lot inside the mapped ADU Overlay District, requiring owner-occupancy and a 30-day minimum lease term.
Accessory Dwelling Unit means a dwelling unit smaller than 800 square feet in area, which is accessory to a structure with a legally established single dwelling unit... No Accessory Dwelling Unit may be leased for a period shorter than thirty (30) days; No more than one (1) Accessory Dwelling Unit may be located on a zoning lot; The owner of a property with an Accessory Dwelling Unit must reside on-site; Accessory Dwelling Unit shall not exceed two (2) stories, or thirty (30) feet in height;
Full Breakdown
Pittsburgh's Zoning Code allows Accessory Dwelling Units only inside the city's Accessory Dwelling Unit Overlay District, a zoning-map overlay adopted under the Section 922.05 map-amendment procedure rather than a right that applies citywide. Where the overlay is mapped, an ADU must be under 800 square feet, capped at two stories or 30 feet, and limited to one per zoning lot on a property with no more than one legally established dwelling unit. The owner must reside on-site, leases must run at least 30 days, and ADUs are exempt from minimum lot size and off-street parking requirements. Owners must record a deed restriction before the City issues a Certificate of Occupancy.
Violations & Fines
An ADU built outside the mapped Overlay District, over 800 square feet, or without the required owner-occupancy deed restriction does not qualify under Section 912.08: the City can withhold or revoke the Certificate of Occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an ADU anywhere in Pittsburgh?
Do I have to live on the property to have an ADU?
Can I rent my Pittsburgh ADU out short-term?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pittsburgh
How Pittsburgh compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·Compare Pittsburgh to another location·View the Pennsylvania accessory structures overview
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