Compare ADU zoning rules across 1 Pennsylvania cities. Average ADU score: 3.0/10.
Gathered from the 1 city below, with the bill or ordinance each one names. Statewide measures are listed once with the cities they reached, rather than repeated for each.
Statewide law sets a floor; the numbers that decide your project are local. Here is the spread across the 1 Pennsylvania city covered here, taken from each city's own ordinance rather than a state summary.
| Question | Across Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Are ADUs permitted? | 0 of 1 permit them, 1 have an ordinance in progress. |
| Detached size cap | Median 800 sq ft, from 800 to 800 sq ft across the 1 cities publishing a numeric cap. |
| Owner-occupancy | Required in none of them. |
| Build cost | $135,000 to $325,000 depending on city and unit type. |
Recomputed whenever a city page changes, so this and the city pages below cannot disagree.
| City | Max Size | Setbacks | Permit Fees | Build Cost | 1BR Rent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | No ADU can be permitted today. Pending CB 2025-1545 defines an ADU as not greater than 1,000 sq ft (the lapsed 2018 overlay said under 800 sq ft); the Planning Commission's June 2, 2026 version keeps 1,000 sq ft. | Accessory structures: 5 ft from the rear lot line, or 2 ft where the rear line abuts a way (alley) (§912.04.B). Primary-structure rear setback is 30 ft in the VL, L and M development subdistricts and 15 ft in H (§903.03). Pending bill: converting a garage that already sits in a rear or side setback needs no Administrator's Exception if it encroaches no further (proposed §912.08.C.5). | PLI 2026 schedule (eff. Jan 1, 2026): residential base permit fee $6.00 per $1,000 of construction value (min $130, max $8,000; 40% due at application) plus $4.50 SETF, $5 records fee and a $2-$25 technology fee; DCP residential zoning review $1.00 per $1,000 (min $50). | $135,000-$325,000 | $1,150-$1,700/mo | 3/10 |
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