Pittsburgh, PA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Inspection interval
- Every 5 years
- Who inspects
- PA-licensed engineer required
- Exempt buildings
- 1- and 2-family homes, townhouses
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Permits, Licenses & Inspections
- Penalty
- Summary offense, separate offense per day
Summary
Pittsburgh requires owners of buildings other than one- and two-family homes and townhouses to hire a Pennsylvania-licensed engineer for a structural inspection every five years and keep the sealed report on file.
304.1.2 Structural Inspections. The owner or owner's authorized agent shall engage a Pennsylvania-licensed engineer to inspect all structures except single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, and townhouses every five (5) years and:
1. Maintain records of the engineer's structural inspection report and maintenance or repairs performed per the engineer's report.
2. Provide records per this section to the code official in the manner and method prescribed upon request or required by departmental rules.
3. Obtain necessary permits for work recommended by the engineer.
4. Notify the code official immediately of any dangerous or unsafe conditions.
Full Breakdown
Pittsburgh's Property Maintenance Code, Chapter 1004, requires owners of any structure besides one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses to have a Pennsylvania-licensed engineer inspect exterior walls, decorative features, overhangs, stairways, decks, porches, balconies, chimneys, and towers every five years. The engineer must seal a report describing findings and any needed repairs; the owner must keep that report, give it to the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections (PLI) on request, pull permits for recommended repair work, and notify the code official immediately of any dangerous condition. The five-year cycle targets deferred-maintenance failures on older buildings before facades, balconies, or chimneys become a public hazard.
Violations & Fines
Failing to comply is a summary offense under § 109.4 of the same chapter, prosecuted as a strict-liability violation, with each day the noncompliance continues after notice counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my single-family home need this inspection?
Who is allowed to perform the inspection?
What happens if an owner skips the inspection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pittsburgh
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