Building Setbacks & Zoning in Pittsburgh, PA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Pittsburgh's zoning code sets minimum yard setbacks by density subdistrict, not one citywide number, with front, rear, and interior sideyard minimums spelled out for R1D, R1A, R2, R3, and RM lots under City Code § 903.03.
Pittsburgh Yard Setback Minimums by Zone
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 903.03
Site Development Standard Very-Low Density Subdistrict Minimum Front Setback R1D, R1A, R2 & R3 Subdistricts 30 ft. RM Subdistrict 30 ft. Minimum Interior Sideyard Setback R1D, R2 & R3 Subdistricts 5 ft, on one side; 10 ft. on the other side R1A Subdistrict 5 ft. RM Subdistrict 30 ft.
Structure Height Limits
Single- and two-unit homes in Pittsburgh's R1D, R1A, R2 and R3 residential subdistricts are capped at 40 feet and 3 stories under the zoning code's development-subdistrict standards.
Pittsburgh Residential Height Limits
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 903.03.A
Site Development Standard / Very-Low Density Subdistrict ... Maximum Height / R1D, R1A, R2 & R3 Subdistricts / 40 ft. (not to exceed 3 stories) / RM Subdistrict / 40 ft. (not to exceed 3 stories)
Lot Coverage Limits
Pittsburgh sets no maximum lot coverage percentage for its residential zoning districts, R1D, R1A, R2, R3, and RM, controlling building bulk instead through minimum lot size, setback, and height rules. Only mixed-use districts like NDO cap coverage at 90 percent.
Pittsburgh Lot Coverage: No Cap in Residential Zones
Few RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 904.01
Maximum Floor Area Ratio 3:1 Maximum Lot Coverage 90% Minimum Front Setback none required Minimum Rear Setback when not adjacent to a way 20 ft. when adjacent to a way 10 ft. Minimum Exterior Sideyard Setback none required Minimum Interior Sideyard Setback none required Maximum Height 45 ft. (not to exceed 3 stories) D. Site Plan Review. 1. General. The following shall ...
Looking for Allegheny County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Pittsburgh city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Allegheny County →