Pittsburgh does not allow accessory dwelling units today: the only ADU rule in the Zoning Code, §912.08 (Ord. 32-2018), applied to a 24-month Garfield overlay that lapsed in 2020 and was never made permanent, and no citywide ADU use exists. Council Bill 2025-1545 would legalise ADUs by right on any lot with a residential primary use — up to 2 per lot, 1,000 sq ft each, 30 ft tall, no owner-occupancy and no parking — but it is still pending: the Planning Commission recommended it on June 2, 2026 and City Council's public hearing is September 23, 2026. Until Council passes it (five votes) and the Mayor signs, a second unit is possible only where the base district allows a two-unit use. When it does pass, PLI's residential permit fee is $6 per $1,000 of construction value (minimum $130) plus $1 per $1,000 for zoning review.
Zoning & Size Requirements [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Not yet — Pittsburgh does not currently allow ADUs in most residential areas. No ADU use exists in the Zoning Code today: §912.08 (Ord. 32-2018) only ever applied inside a 24-month Garfield overlay that lapsed in 2020. Council Bill 2025-1545 — ADUs by right on any residential lot, 2 per lot, 1,000 sq ft, 30 ft, no owner-occupancy, no parking — got a positive Planning Commission recommendation on June 2, 2026 and goes to a City Council public hearing on September 23, 2026; it is not adopted.
| Allowed Zones | None citywide today. §912.08 (Ord. 32-2018) allowed ADUs only inside a 24-month interim Garfield ADU Overlay District that was never made permanent and lapsed in 2020. Pending CB 2025-1545 (Council hearing Sept 23, 2026) would permit ADUs by right on any lot whose primary use is Residential, Community Center or Religious Assembly (§911.02), citywide. |
| Max Size (Detached) | 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. |
| Max Size (Attached) | Same proposed 1,000 sq ft cap for an ADU inside the house, in a basement or attic, or over a garage (CB 2025-1545, proposed §912.08.B); nothing is permitted until adoption. |
| Max Size (JADU) | No junior ADU category in Pittsburgh's code or in the pending bill. |
| Max Height | Pending bill: 30 ft, measured to include the garage when built above a detached garage (proposed §912.08.C.3; the June 2026 version drops the '2 stories' wording). Today an accessory structure in a residential district is capped at 15 ft or 1 story (§912.04.E); the primary structure at 40 ft or 3 stories (§903.03). |
| Max Units | Pending: up to 2 ADUs per zoning lot when accessory to a residential use; no cap when accessory to a Community Center or Religious Assembly, with Site Plan Review above 10 units (proposed §912.08.C.8-9). The lapsed 2018 overlay allowed 1 per lot. |
Setback Requirements [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Because Pittsburgh does not yet permit ADUs, there are no ADU-specific setback or parking standards; the accessory-structure rules below are what a future unit would start from. Owner-occupancy is not required — you can rent it out without living on the property.
| Rear Setback | 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). |
| Side Setback | Accessory structures follow the primary side setback (§912.04.C): 5 ft interior side in the L, M and H subdistricts; 5 ft on one side and 10 ft on the other in VL (§903.03). The pending bill exempts ADUs from the Residential Compatibility Standards of Chapter 916 (proposed §912.08.C.4). |
| Front Setback | Accessory structures follow the primary front setback (§912.04.A): 30 ft in the VL, L and M subdistricts, 15 ft in H (§903.03), unless a contextual setback applies (§925.06). Neither the current code nor the pending bill contemplates a detached ADU in a front yard. |
| Parking Required | Today Parking Schedule A (§914.02.A) requires 1 space per unit for single-unit detached and two-unit dwellings (0 for single-unit attached). Pending CB 2025-1545 strikes Schedule A entirely, so no off-street parking would be required for an ADU or any other use. |
| Owner Occupancy | Not required in the pending bill: the June 2, 2026 Planning Commission version strikes the 2018 overlay's owner-must-reside-on-site and deed-restriction clauses (§912.08.E.4 and E.8). Those clauses still sit in the lapsed overlay text, but no ADU can be permitted under it. |
| Min Lot Size | No ADU-specific minimum proposed. Base-district minimum lot sizes after Ord. 10-2025 (eff. May 7, 2025): 6,000 sq ft (VL), 3,000 (L), 2,400 (M), 1,200 (H) (§903.03). The 2018 overlay exempted ADUs from lot-size rules; the pending §912.08 text does not restate that exemption — confirm with the Zoning Division. |
Permit Process & Fees [10][11][12]
Pittsburgh cannot issue an ADU permit under current zoning. The fees and timelines below are the general building-permit terms that would apply if the rules change.
| Approval Process | Nothing to apply for yet: no ADU use exists outside the lapsed Garfield overlay (§912.08). Watch CB 2025-1545 — Council public hearing Sept 23, 2026; adoption needs five votes and the Mayor's signature. Today a second unit is possible only where the base district allows a two-unit use (R2, R3, RM) and lot area, side setbacks and parking work (Zoning FAQ). Apply through OneStopPGH for a Record of Zoning Approval (ROZA), then the PLI building permit. |
| Review Timeline | Not published. PLI and City Planning post no review-time targets; most building permits first need a Record of Zoning Approval (ROZA) through OneStopPGH, then PLI plan review. Budget several months and confirm current queues with PLI (412-255-2175). |
| Permit Fees | 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). |
| Impact Fees | None. Neither the 2026 PLI fee schedule nor the DCP zoning fee schedule lists any development or impact fee; Pittsburgh charges only the value-based permit and zoning review fees plus the $4.50 state training fee. |
| Plan Check | Not published. PLI lists a paid Residential Accelerated Plan Review (1.0% of construction value, min $500, max $9,200) but says expedited review is currently offered only for fire alarm and fire suppression permits. |
| Pre-Approved Plans | None. Pittsburgh has no pre-approved ADU plan program; the City's 2024 EngagePGH page shows six illustrative 3D models (attached, detached, attic, basement, above-garage, garage conversion), not permit-ready plans. |
Get Free ADU Quotes in Pittsburgh
Tell us about your project and we'll pass it to ADU builders serving Pittsburgh. Free, no obligation — you choose who to work with. We don't have builders in every area yet; if nobody covers yours, we'll email you to say so.
Takes about a minute.
Up to 5 independent local ADU builders — never more, and we tell them nothing you don't submit here.
Compare quotes, verify license & insurance, hire (or don't). No spam either way.
🔒 Your info is secure. We share it only with contractors quoting your project. No spam, no obligation.
Just browsing? Search ADU builders near you by ZIP code.
Construction Costs [13][14]
If ADUs become legal in Pittsburgh, building one would run roughly $135,000-$325,000 ($225-$375 per sq ft) at today's regional rates; a garage conversion about $75,000-$140,000.
See what this means for your lot — ask Pittsburgh ADU builders for a quote →
| Average Build Cost | $135,000-$325,000 |
| Cost per Sq Ft | $225-$375 |
| Garage Conversion | $75,000-$140,000 |
| Prefab ADU (Installed) | $140,000-$250,000 |
Finance Your ADU Project
Most ADU projects are funded through HELOCs, construction loans, or cash-out refinancing. Compare rates from top lenders.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Rental Income Potential [15][16][17]
A 2-bedroom unit in Pittsburgh would rent for around $1,400-$2,050/mo at current market rates — a hypothetical figure while ADUs are not yet permitted.
| Avg Rent (1 Bedroom) | $1,150-$1,700/mo |
| Avg Rent (2 Bedroom) | $1,400-$2,050/mo |
| Short-Term Rental | Moot until an ADU can be built. The pending ADU text (CB 2025-1545) has no minimum-lease clause (the lapsed 2018 overlay barred leases under 30 days, §912.08.E.2). |
| Est. Annual ROI | Illustrative only: at $1,150-$1,700/mo (HUD FY2027 Small Area FMRs for city ZIPs) a $135,000-$325,000 build grosses back its cost in roughly 10-16 years before taxes, vacancy and financing — and nothing can be permitted . |
Explore Prefab ADU Options
Prefab ADUs can save 20-40% vs. traditional construction and cut build time in half.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Recent Law Changes
What's Changed Recently
- 2026-09-20: Still not adopted. City Council's public hearing on CB 2025-1545 (citywide ADUs, parking reform, affordable-housing bonus) is set for Sept 23, 2026, 1:30 PM, Council Chambers; the Planning Commission gave a positive recommendation on June 2, 2026 (received by Council June 12, 2026). Council can pass the bill with five votes after the hearing; the Mayor must then sign it.
- 2026-08-28: City Planning introduced CB 2026-0834 (Executive Order 2026-01 'Phase One' zoning cleanup: height in feet only, smaller residential-compatibility setbacks, repeal of Chapter 913). It contains no ADU provisions; Council public hearing Oct 13, 2026.
- 2026-01-09: Short-term-rental licensing and zoning bills (CB 2026-0008 / 2026-0009) were introduced; both are held in committee and were resent to the Planning Commission on July 1, 2026. The 2025 versions (CB 2025-2081/2082) died on Dec 31, 2025.
- 2025-10-15: Council amended CB 2025-1545 by substitute (Version 2) and sent it to the Planning Commission; the ADU section was unchanged — 1,000 sq ft, 2 per lot, 30 ft, no owner-occupancy, exempt from Residential Compatibility Standards, Parking Schedule A struck.
- 2025-05-07: Ord. 10-2025 took effect, cutting minimum lot sizes in residential districts to 6,000 sq ft (VL), 3,000 (L), 2,400 (M) and 1,200 (H) — §903.03.
- 2020: The 24-month Garfield ADU Overlay (Ord. 32-2018, effective Sept 10, 2018) lapsed without being made permanent; no ordinance since has mapped an ADU overlay anywhere in the city.
Tips for Building an ADU in Pittsburgh
- Do not build yet: an ADU permit application filed today has no permitted use to rest on. Watch Council's vote after the Sept 23, 2026 hearing and the Mayor's signature (bill text and status: pittsburgh.legistar.com, file 2025-1545).
- If the bill passes as recommended, a garage already inside the rear or side setback can be converted without an Administrator's Exception, and a new unit above a garage can sit in the rear setback where the yard abuts an alley (way).
- Existing two-unit path: in the R2, R3 or RM use subdistricts a second dwelling inside the house may be approved as a two-unit use if lot area, side setbacks and parking work — email zoning@pittsburghpa.gov before drawing plans; R1D and R1A lots have no such option.
- Worked fee example: a $200,000 ADU would owe about $1,200 PLI base fee (40% at application, the rest at issuance) plus $4.50 SETF, $5 records fee and a $15 technology fee, and about $200 DCP zoning review.
- Cost basis: a Pittsburgh-area builder's guide (July 2025) — $225-$375 per sq ft; 600-800 sq ft one-bedroom $135,000-$240,000; 900-1,200 sq ft two-bedroom $200,000-$325,000+; garage conversion $75,000-$140,000; utility tie-ins $15,000-$30,000 extra. Prefab range is a Pennsylvania kit vendor's all-in estimate.
- Rent basis: HUD FY2027 Small Area FMRs (effective Oct 1, 2026) for City of Pittsburgh ZIP codes — 1BR $960-$1,720, 2BR $1,160-$2,080 (highest downtown/Shadyside 15222/15232, lowest 15227); the metro-wide FY2027 FMR is $1,146 (1BR) and $1,389 (2BR).
- Cost basis (2026-09-20 re-verification): short term allowed: Moot until an ADU can be built. The pending ADU text (CB 2025-1545) has no minimum-lease clause (the lapsed 2018 overlay barred leases under 30 days, §912.08.E.2). Citywide short-term-rental licensing and zoning bills (CB 2026-0008 / 2026-0009) are held in committee and were resent to the Planning Commission on July 1, 2026, so no STR licence or zoning rule is in force. | roi estimate: Illustrative only: at $1,150-$1,700/mo (HUD FY2027 Small Area FMRs for city ZIPs) a $135,000-$325,000 build grosses back its cost in roughly 10-16 years before taxes, vacancy and financing — and nothing can be permitted until Council adopts CB 2025-1545.
ADU Builders in Pittsburgh
Looking for an ADU builder in Pittsburgh? ADU projects need a contractor experienced with local zoning, the permit process, and utility connections — not every general contractor has built one. We match Pittsburgh homeowners with experienced local ADU contractors who provide free, no-obligation quotes. Getting at least three bids typically saves 20-40% on the same scope.
Sources & References
All data on this page is sourced from official government records and verified market data. View our full methodology.
- Council Bill 2025-1545 — Legistar record (status, history, attachments) city_council — Accessed 2026-09-20
- CB 2025-1545 — Planning Commission recommended text, June 2, 2026 (proposed §912.08 Accessory Dwelling Unit; Parking Schedule A struck) city_council — Accessed 2026-09-20
- CB 2025-1545 — Version 2 full text (Council substitute, Oct 15, 2025) city_council — Accessed 2026-09-20
- City Council Public Hearing — September 23, 2026 (Council Bill 2025-1545) — City of Pittsburgh Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Pittsburgh Zoning Code Title 9, Chapter 912 Accessory Uses and Structures (§912.04, §912.08) — eCode360 Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Pittsburgh Zoning Code Title 9, Chapter 903 Residential Zoning Districts (§903.02, §903.03) — eCode360 Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) — Implementing the Housing Needs Assessment — City of Pittsburgh (EngagePGH) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-19
- Ordinance 32-2018 (CB 2018-0558) — Accessory Dwelling Unit Overlay District, Garfield — Legistar city_council — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Zoning FAQ — City of Pittsburgh Department of City Planning Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- PLI 2026 Fee Schedule (effective Jan 1, 2026) — Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections fee_schedule — Accessed 2026-09-20
- PLI Fees — City of Pittsburgh fee_schedule — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Zoning and Development Review Fee Schedule — Department of City Planning fee_schedule — Accessed 2026-09-20
- How Much Does an ADU Cost in Pittsburgh and Nearby Areas in 2026? — Shannon Staley & Sons (July 7, 2025) industry — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Pennsylvania Prefab ADUs — DC Structures (kit and all-in estimates, undated) industry — Accessed 2026-09-20
- HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent Schedule — Pittsburgh, PA HUD Metro FMR Area ZIP codes (effective Oct 1, 2026) government — Accessed 2026-09-20
- HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rent Schedule — Pittsburgh, PA HMFA government — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Short-Term Rental bills CB 2026-0008 and 2026-0009 — Legistar city_council — Accessed 2026-09-20
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an ADU in Pittsburgh?
How much does an ADU cost in Pittsburgh?
How much can I rent an ADU for in Pittsburgh?
Do I need parking for an ADU in Pittsburgh?
How long does it take to get an ADU permit in Pittsburgh?
Ready to Build in Pittsburgh?
Get free, no-obligation quotes from top-rated ADU contractors in Pittsburgh.
Get Free Quotes →Build ADUs in Pittsburgh?
Homeowners read this page while planning, then ask us to connect them with a local builder. We pass those requests to builders who cover Pittsburgh — a flat fee only on the leads you accept, no subscription, and you contract directly with the homeowner.
See who's waiting in Pennsylvania →