Pittsburgh's Accessory Structures: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles accessory structures a little differently. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.
ADU Rules
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.
Key details: 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.
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.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Pittsburgh actively enforces its adu rules requirements.
Shed & Carport Rules
Carports are permitted by-right as residential accessory structures in Pittsburgh, but must meet the same front and side setbacks as the main house, keep at least 5 feet off the rear lot line, and stay under 15 feet or one story tall.
Key details: By-right use: Code Section 912.02(5). Front setback: matches primary structure. Rear setback: 5 ft (2 ft if adjacent to alley). Height limit: 15 ft or 1 story, residential. Setback exception: Administrator's Exception, Section 925.06.G.
Carports built inside a required setback without an Administrator's Exception, or over 15 feet tall in a residential district, are zoning violations enforceable by PLI stop-work and permit denial.
ADU Rental Restrictions
Accessory Dwelling Units built under Pittsburgh's ADU Overlay District can't be leased for stays shorter than 30 days, which rules out nightly or weekly short-term rentals like Airbnb for these units.
Key details: Minimum lease term: 30 days. ADUs allowed per lot: One (1) maximum. Owner occupancy: Owner must live on-site. Enacted: Ord. No. 32-2018, eff. 9-10-2018.
Leasing an ADU short-term breaches both the zoning conditions tied to its Certificate of Occupancy and the recorded deed restriction, exposing the owner to zoning enforcement; the deed restriction runs with the land and binds future owners too.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Pittsburgh actively enforces its adu rental restrictions requirements.
ADU Owner Occupancy
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.
Key details: 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.
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.
The Bottom Line
Pittsburgh is tougher than many cities when it comes to accessory structures. Out of the 4 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Pittsburgh, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.
All of the above reflects Pittsburgh's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.