City of Pittsburgh, PA CHAPTER 912 Accessory Uses and Structures

§ 912.01 Accessory Uses and Structures in General.

[Ord. No. 12-2010, § 1, eff. 5-13-2010]

Primary uses specified as permitted by-right, Administrator Exceptions, Special Exceptions or Conditional Uses shall be deemed to include accessory uses, activities and structures. An accessory use or structure must:

A. Be subordinate to and serve the primary use or structure;

B. Be subordinate in area, extent and purpose to the primary use or structure served;

C. Contribute to the comfort, convenience or necessity of occupants of the primary use or structure served; and

D. Be located on the same zoning lot and in the same zoning district as the primary use.

Accessory uses and activities shall be subject to the same regulations as apply to primary uses in each district, except as otherwise provided in these regulations.

§ 912.02 Residential Accessory Uses and Structures.

[Ord. 21-2002, § 8, eff. 6-18-2003; Ord. 36-2005, § 1, eff. 12-14-2005; Ord. No. 12-2010, § 1, eff. 5-13-2010; Ord. No. 5-2023, § 1, 5-22-2023; Ord. No. 34-2025, eff. 11-19-2025]

The following accessory uses, activities and structures shall be permitted by-right in Residential and H Districts:

(1) Dumpsters;

(2) Fences, walls and retaining walls, provided that the finished side faces adjacent property;

(3) Gardens;

(4) Garages used exclusively for the parking of non-commercial automobiles, or for the temporary keeping of small pleasure boats with trailer mounts therefore, other wheeled vehicles designed to be drawn by passenger automobiles, normal household paraphernalia and the like;

(5) Carports and off-street parking areas;

(6) Gates and guard houses;

(7) Storm shelter and fallout shelters;

(8) Home occupations, subject to § 912.05;

(9) Playhouses, patios, cabanas, porches, decks, gazebos and incidental household storage buildings;

(10) Radio and television receiving antennas and support structures, including satellite dishes less than thirty-two (32) inches in diameter;

(11) Swimming pools and other recreational and play facilities for the use of residents;

(12) Solar energy systems;

(13) Extensive Green Roofs as described in § 912.04.I;

(14) Intensive Green Roofs as described in § 912.04.J;

(15) HVAC and similar equipment;

(16) Outdoor Retail Sales and Service accessory to Agriculture, Community Center (Limited); Parks and Recreation (Limited); Religious Assembly; School, Elementary or Secondary; and

(17) Other necessary and customary uses determined by the Zoning Administrator to be appropriate, incidental and subordinate to the primary use on the lot.

§ 912.03 Nonresidential Accessory Uses and Structures.

[Ord. 32-2002, § 1, eff. 11-12-2002; Ord. 36-2005, § 1, eff. 12-14-2005; Ord. No. 12-2010, § 1, eff. 5-13-2010; Ord. No. 5-2023, § 1, 5-22-2023; Ord. No. 34-2025, eff. 11-19-2025]

The following accessory uses, activities and structures shall be permitted by-right in nonresidential districts:

(1) Dumpsters;

(2) Dwelling units, other than mobile homes, for security or maintenance personnel;

(3) Fences, walls and retaining walls, provided that the finished side faces adjacent property and/or public rights-of-way;

(4) Gates and guard houses;

(5) Cafeterias, dining halls and similar food services when operated primarily for the convenience of employees, residents, clients, or visitors to the primary use;

(6) Gift shops, news stands and similar commercial activities operated primarily for the convenience of employees, residents, clients, or visitors to the primary use;

(7) Parking garages and off-street parking areas;

(8) Radio and television receiving antennas and support structures, including satellite dishes less than thirty-two (32) inches in diameter;

(9) Solar energy systems;

(10) Extensive Green Roofs as described in § 912.04.I;

(11) Intensive Green Roofs as described in § 912.04.J;

(12) HVAC and similar equipment;

(13) Outdoor Retail Sales and Services; and

(14) Other necessary and customary uses determined by the Zoning Administrator to be appropriate, incidental and subordinate to the primary use on the lot.

§ 912.04 Accessory Use and Structure Development and Operational Standards.

[Ord. 28, 12-17-2000/Amend. U-25; Ord. 38-2003, eff. 12-31-2003; Ord. 36-2005, § 1, eff. 12-14-2005; Ord. 40-2005, § 1A, eff. 12-30-2005; Ord. No. 12-2010, § 1, eff. 5-13-2010; Ord. No. 33-2016, § 2, eff. 12-13-2016; Ord. No. 57-2021, § 1, eff. 12-27-2021; Ord. No. 58-2021, § 3, eff. 12-27-2021; Ord. No. 5-2023, § 1, 5-22-2023]

The following standards shall apply to all accessory uses and structures unless otherwise specifically provided. For exceptions to these standards, see Chapter 925.

A. Front Setback. Accessory structures shall comply with the front setback and front yard standards that apply to primary uses, except as allowed in Section 925.06.A or as an Administrator's Exception in Section 925.06.G. (See Section 925.06)

B. Rear Setback. Accessory structures and uses shall not be required to comply with the rear setback standard that applies to principal uses, except as allowed in Section 925.06.A or as an Administrator's Exception in Section 925.06.G. Accessory structures and uses shall be set back at least five (5) feet from the rear lot line when the rear lot line is not adjacent to a way. Accessory structures and uses may be set back at least two (2) feet from the rear lot line when the rear lot line is adjacent to a way.

C. Side Setbacks. Accessory structures and uses shall comply with the side setback standards that apply to primary uses, and shall not be permitted in the side yard under the Contextual Setback provisions of Section 925.06.C, but shall be permitted in the side yard in accordance with Section 925.06.A or with the Administrator Exception provisions of Section 925.06.G.

D. Setbacks from Easements. No accessory structure shall be located on any platted or recorded easement, or over any known utility.

E. Height. No accessory structure shall exceed fifteen (15) feet or one (1) story in height in a residential zoning district or twenty (20) feet in height in a nonresidential zoning district.

F. Building Separation. Unless attached to the primary structure, accessory structures shall be located at least three (3) feet from a primary structure.

G. Accessory Telecommunications Towers, Antennas, Stations, and Communication Facilities. In addition to the provisions and conditions in this Section, all building-mounted telecommunications Towers, Antennas, Stations and/or Communications Facilities are subject to and shall comply with all the applicable provisions and conditions in Section 911.04.A.13, Section (a) of this Zoning Code and shall be located and designed as follows:

1. Roof mounted Towers, Antennas, Stations and/or Communications Facilities shall be located no closer than five (5) feet to the nearest edge of the roof;

2. Wall-mounted Towers, Antennas, Stations and/or Communications Facilities are prohibited under forty (40) feet from existing grade;

3. Wall-mounted Towers, Antennas, Stations and/or Communications Facilities forty (40) feet or higher above grade may be approved by and Administrator's Exception (Section 922.08). The Zoning Administrator's review will be limited to requiring that the Towers, Antennas, Stations and/or Communications Facilities be compatible with the architecture of the building and its surroundings, the character of the neighborhood, and sensitivity to the skyline;

4. New concealed, stealth or camouflaged Towers, Antenna, DAS or Alternative Antenna Support Structures which are designed to blend in with the surroundings, including but not limited to, Antennas located in a structure such as a church steeple, or bell tower but which are not noticeable to the reasonable observer, and Antennas disguised as things such as trees, flagpoles, chimneys, grain silos or anything consistent with the surroundings, may be exempt from setback requirements, and shall be subject to Design Review and Site Plan Review approval.

5. (Reserved)

6. (Reserved)

7. The applicant shall adhere to the requirements of Section 911.04.A.13(a)(8) of this Zoning Code pertaining to application submissions and said applicant shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Zoning Administrator that there are valid considerations, including physical constraints or technological feasibility, for the location of additional Towers, Antennas, Stations, Communications Facilities and/or panels on existing Tower, Antenna, Station and/or Communications Facility structures. The information submitted by the applicant shall include a map of the area to be served by the proposed Towers, Antennas, Stations, Communications Facilities and/or panels, the relationship of the proposed Tower, Antenna, Station, Communications Facility and/or panel to other Towers, Antennas, Stations, Communications Facilities and/or panels, and any information required by the Zoning Administrator;

8. All obsolete, damaged, or unused Towers, Antennas, Stations and/or Communications Facilities shall be removed within sixty (60) days of cessation of use. In the event obsolete, damaged, or unused Towers, Antennas, Stations and/or Communications Facilities are not removed within sixty (60) days of cessation of use, then Sections 911.04.A.13(a)(9)—(11) of this Zoning Code will apply, in addition to any other remedy available to the City;

9. No Towers, Antennas, Stations and/or Communications Facilities located in an R1D, R1A, R2-L, RM, GPR, P or H Zoning District shall exceed fifteen (15) feet in height;

10. No Towers, Antennas, Stations and/or Communications Facilities located in an NDO, LNC, NDI, UNC, HC, OPR, GI, UI, EMI, GT, or DR Zoning District shall exceed twenty (20) feet in height.

H. Dumpsters. All dumpsters must have a minimum six-foot screen wall and landscaping must be provided. The Zoning Administrator must approve material for the wall and plantings.

I. 

Extensive Green Roofs. Extensive Green Roofs are lightweight veneer systems of thin layers of drought tolerant self-seeding vegetated roof covers.

(1) Extensive Green Roofs permitted by-right shall not have more than five (5) inches of soil medium.

(2) All Extensive Green Roofs shall have at least a one (1) foot perimeter of vegetation-free zone around the edges of the roof and around all roof penetrations (i.e. skylights, pipes, etc).

J. 

Intensive Green Roofs. Intensive Green Roofs are heavier than Extensive Green Roofs. For the purposes of this Code the term means any Green Roof with soil mediums greater than five (5) inches.

(1) All Intensive Green Roofs shall have at least a one (1) foot perimeter of vegetation free zone around the edges of the roof and around all roof penetrations (i.e. skylights, pipes, etc.).

K. 

Fences and Walls. Fences; walls; hedges and landscaping architectural features; and similar features shall be permitted in all districts and shall be subject to the Materials and Methods and Opacity Standards in Section 918.03.B.1, and the standards below, unless otherwise stated.

(1) In front or side yards where the fence extends closer to a street than the primary structure, only open and ornamental fences are permitted, and shall be no taller than four (4) feet in height;

(2) In all other instances, fences, walls, and similar features are permitted within required setbacks to a height of six (6) feet and may be opaque;

(3) Fences that do not comply with the height standards above may be reviewed and approved in accordance with the Administrator Exception procedures of Section 922.08 subject to the following standards:

a. No fence or wall shall exceed a height of one (1) foot in addition to what is permitted in the standards above; and

b. The exception shall not have a detrimental impact on adjacent, impacted, properties or streets.

(4) In the GI District opaque fences up to six (6) feet are permitted in front or side yards;

(5) Fences and walls in the RIV District are permitted subject to Section 905.04.H.1; and

(6) Barbed wire and razor edge are not permitted in any district.

L. 

Parking Pads and Garages for Residential Uses with Fewer than five (5) Spaces. Parking pads and garages for residential uses that do not exceed four (4) spaces and do not comply with the setback standards for accessory uses and structures may be approved subject to the standards below.

(1) Parking pads and garages shall be permitted in setbacks in side and rear yards;

(2) In exterior side yards, parking pads and garages shall not be closer to the street than the primary structure;

(3) In front yards, parking pads and garages shall be set back five (5) feet from the front of the primary structure;

(4) Runoff shall be contained on-site and directed away from abutting properties; and

(5) Parking pads shall provide enough area to reasonably accommodate the parking spaces provided, using Section 914.09.H for guidance, and in no case shall be smaller than the minimum standards for compact-size parking stalls. Parking spaces must be provided on-site without encroaching on public rights-of-way or neighboring properties unless legal access has been granted through easements or similar measures.

M. 

Drive-Through Uses.

1. Drive-through uses shall be permitted by-right in the HC, Highway Commercial Zoning District, and subject to the following standards:

a. The applicant shall provide a transportation impact study, based on an approved transportation scoping form, prepared by a qualified transportation engineer, for review and approval by the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure. The applicant shall implement any required mitigation from the detrimental impacts of the drive through use, as determined in the approved transportation impact study.

2. Drive-through uses shall be permitted as a Special Exception in the GI, General Industrial Zoning District, and subject to the following standards:

a. The applicant shall provide a transportation impact study, based on an approved transportation scoping form, prepared by a qualified transportation engineer, for review and approval by the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure. The applicant shall implement any required mitigation from the detrimental impacts of the drive through use, as determined in the approved transportation impact study.

b. The Zoning Board of Adjustment shall determine that such use will not create detrimental impact on surrounding properties, taking into consideration transportation-related impacts, and the physical relationship of the proposed use and structure to the surrounding businesses and uses.

§ 912.05 Home Occupations.

[Ord. No. 4-2024, § 3, eff. 2-27-2024]

A. Purpose. The home occupation standards of this section are intended to permit the establishment of incidental and accessory home occupation uses while ensuring their compatibility with the character of residential neighborhoods. They are intended to permit residents to engage in home occupations that are compatible with residential uses and to ensure that home occupations do not adversely affect the land use character of residential areas.

B. Standards. The following standards shall apply to Home Occupations except for accessory in-home Child Care for three (3) or few children where the home is the primary residence of the child care provider:

1. Employees. Only individuals who are residents of the dwelling unit may be engaged in the home occupation.

2. Exterior Appearance. There shall be no change in the exterior appearance of the dwelling unit that houses the home occupation, and there shall be no visible evidence of the conduct of a home occupation when viewed from the street right-of-way or from an adjacent lot. This provision shall be interpreted as specifically prohibiting signs (except those required by licensing regulations See Section 919.03.L for regulations pertaining to signs and Home Occupations), equipment storage, sales displays and vehicles with more than two (2) axles, unless completely shielded from view of adjacent property.

3. Traffic. A home occupation shall not generate more than six (6) one-way vehicle trips (trip-ends) per twenty-four-hour day.

4. Building Additions and Entrances. No building addition or building entrance visible from the street shall be permitted for the purpose of accommodating a home occupation.

5. Nuisances. No equipment used in conjunction with a home occupation shall cause odor, vibration, noise, electrical interference or fluctuation in line voltage that is perceptible beyond the lot line of the lot upon which the home occupation is conducted. Home occupations shall comply with the Operational Performance Standards of Chapter 917.

6. Parking. Any parking necessary to accommodate a home occupation shall be provided off-street. No required setback or yard area, other than in a pre-existing parking area, may be used to accommodate a home occupation's off-street parking.

C. Prohibited Home Occupations. Home occupations that do not comply with all of the standards of this Code shall be prohibited. The following uses and activities shall specifically be prohibited as home occupations:

1. Auto and other vehicle repair;

2. Any use that is only allowed in the NDI, GI or UI Districts shall not be allowed as a home occupation;

3. Contractor's equipment or vehicle storage yards; and

4. Firearms.

D. Occupancy Permits. Occupancy permits shall be required prior to the establishment of a home occupation. An occupancy permit for a home occupation use shall be issued only to the resident of the dwelling unit that houses the home occupation. Home occupation occupancy permits shall not be transferable and shall not run with the land; they shall terminate upon sale or transfer of the property to a new owner or tenant.

E. Limitation on Natural Expansion. Permits under this subsection shall not include or imply any right to expand beyond the limits provided by this Code. Applications for a home occupation permit shall include an explicit waiver by the application of any right of "natural expansion" or other right to expand beyond those limits.

§ 912.06 Outdoor Retail Sales and Service (Accessory Use).

[Ord. 23-2001, § 3, eff. 11-30-2001; Ord. No. 34-2025, eff. 11-19-2025]

Outdoor retail sales and service means the sale of goods and services, including food items, situated outdoors on property other than public rights-of-way, wherein the sale of goods and services is subordinate to the use specified in the certificate of occupancy for the existing establishment or property located on the zoning lot.

A. Standards. (Accessory Use). Outdoor retail sales and service (accessory use) shall be subject to the following standards:

(1) The applicant shall obtain a license pursuant to and follow all requirements outlined in Chapter 719, Vendors and Peddlers if applicable; and

(2) Sufficient on-site space to accommodate a standing area for customers purchasing or attempting to purchase goods and service without encroaching on the public right-of-way or adjacent property shall be provided;

(3) Sufficient trash receptacles for wrappers, containers and other disposable products associated with the sale of goods and service shall be provided.

(4) Operators must meet all of the above standards, even if a Record of Zoning Approval is not required.

§ 912.07 Urban Agriculture (Accessory Use).

[Ord. No. 1-2011, § 3, eff. 2-14-2011; Ord. No. 25-2015, § 3, eff. 7-9-2015]

The Urban Agriculture standards of this Section are intended to permit the growing and off-site selling of legal agricultural products on properties throughout the City of Pittsburgh, and are permitted by right for Urban Agriculture (Accessory Use) With Animals. The property owner need not apply for any type of permit if the sole intent of growing crops is for personal/non-commercial use.

A. Urban Agriculture (Accessory Use) With No Animals. Urban Agriculture (Accessory Use) applications which do not include the housing of chickens, ducks, goats or honeybees shall be subject to the following standards:

(1) The sale of non-mechanical agricultural and farm products that are grown, used, produced on-site, or are part of an affiliated Community Supported Agriculture program shall be permitted only in non-residential districts, and shall comply with the standards of Section 912.06, Outdoor Retail Sales and Service (Accessory Use);

(2) All seed, and fertilizer, shall be stored in a secured, rodent-proof container and housed within an enclosed structure;

(3) All applications shall be subject to the Environmental Overlay District regulations of Chapter 906;

(4) All applications shall include a detailed plot plan with scaled representation of all proposed structures and uses; and

(5) Signage shall not be permitted.

B. Urban Agriculture (Accessory Use) With Animals. Urban Agriculture (Accessory Use) applications for the housing of chickens, ducks, goats, and honeybees shall be authorized as permitted by right and shall be subject to the following standards:

(1) The sale of non-mechanical agricultural and farm products that are grown, used, produced on site, or are part of an affiliated Community Supported Agriculture program shall be permitted only in non-residential districts, and shall comply with the standards of Section 912.06, Outdoor Retail Sales and Service (Accessory Use);

(2) All applications shall be subject to the Environmental Overlay District regulations of Chapter 906;

(3) All applications shall include a detailed plot plan with scaled representation of all proposed structures and uses;

(4) Signage shall not be permitted;

(5) All seed, fertilizer, and animal feed shall be stored in a secured, rodent-proof container and housed within an enclosed structure;

(6) All structures related to the housing of chickens or ducks shall be at least six (6) square feet in size and a minimum of two (2) square feet per additional chicken or duck. The structure shall be covered, well ventilated, dry, predator resistant, and properly maintained to prevent accumulations of animal excrement;

(7) Roosters are not permitted;

(8) For property with a minimum of two thousand (2,000) square feet in size, the resident is permitted five (5) chickens or ducks. For every additional one thousand (1,000) square feet of property, the resident is permitted one (1) additional chicken or duck, with no other livestock for lots under ten thousand (10,000 square feet).

(9) For property with a minimum of two thousand (2,000) square feet in size, the resident is permitted to keep two (2) beehives. For every additional two thousand (2,000) square feet of property, the resident is permitted two (2) additional beehives;

(10) All structures necessary for and related to the housing of honeybees shall be subject to any required setbacks of the underlying zoning district, and shall otherwise be set back at least ten (10) feet from any property line;

(11) A "flyway barrier" of at least six (6) feet in height shall be provided at all places on the property line that are within twenty (20) feet of the hive(s). The "flyway barrier" shall consist of a solid fence or wall, dense vegetation, or combination thereof. No flyway is required for hives that are located on porches or balconies at least ten (10) feet above grade, except where such porch or balcony is located less than five (5) feet from a property line.

(12) Roof-mounted beehives shall be located on primary and accessory structures no lower than ten (10) feet from grade and shall not be within the required setback;

(13) For property between two thousand (2,000) square feet and ten thousand (10,000) square feet in size, the resident is permitted to keep no more and no less than two (2) dehorned, adult, female or neutered male, miniature goats (and offspring less than twelve (12) weeks old) with no other livestock;

(14) For property with a minimum of ten thousand (10,000) square feet in size, the resident is permitted two (2) dehorned, adult female or neutered male goats. For every additional five thousand (5,000) square feet of property, the owner is permitted one (1) additional dehorned, adult, female or neutered male, goats;

(15) All animal structures and roaming areas shall be kept sanitary and free from accumulations of animal excrement and objectionable odor;

(16) Outdoor roaming areas for chickens, ducks or goats shall be sufficiently enclosed and screened from the street and neighboring properties to protect them from vehicular traffic, and other predators, and serve to contain the chickens or ducks on the property, and to minimize external impacts of the outdoor roaming areas;

(17) The keeping of chickens, ducks or goats shall be permitted only where there is an occupied residence.

§ 912.08 Accessory Dwelling Unit Overlay District.

[Ord. No. 32-2018, § 1, eff. 9-10-2018]

A. Intent. It is the intent of this Section to permit the construction and operation of Accessory Dwelling Units, as defined in Section 912.08.D, in certain districts.

B. Time Limit. An interim Accessory Dwelling Unit Overlay District shall be in effect for twenty-four (24) months from the effective date. The Accessory Dwelling Unit Overlay District may be made permanent prior to the expiration of the interim Accessory Dwelling Unit Overlay District.

C. Adoption. Adoption of both a Preliminary and Permanent Accessory Dwelling Unit Overlay District shall be in accordance with the Zoning Map and Text Amendment Procedures of Section 922.05.

D. Special Definitions.

1. Accessory Dwelling Unit Overlay District means a district which is geographically coincidental with one (1) or more districts or portions of districts as defined on the Zoning District Map, where Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted subject to the standards of this Chapter of the Zoning Ordinance, on an interim or permanent basis.

2. Accessory Dwelling Unit means a dwelling unit smaller than 800 square feet in area, which is accessory to a structure with a legally established single dwelling unit. An Accessory Dwelling Unit may be an independent dwelling unit within a primary structure, a detached structure, or a dwelling unit located within an existing accessory structure.

E. Standards.

1. The requirements of this Section shall apply to both interim and permanent Accessory Dwelling Unit Overlay Districts;

2. No Accessory Dwelling Unit may be leased for a period shorter than thirty (30) days;

3. No more than one (1) Accessory Dwelling Unit may be located on a zoning lot;

4. The owner of a property with an Accessory Dwelling Unit must reside on-site;

5. Accessory Dwelling Unit shall not exceed two (2) stories, or thirty (30) feet in height;

6. Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be exempt from the minimum lot size and minimum lot size per unit requirements of the underlying zoning district;

7. Aside from the provisions of Section 912.08.E.5 and Section 912.08.E.6, Accessory Dwelling Units shall comply with the development standards of the underlying zoning district and other applicable requirements of the Code, except for the minimum lot size per unit requirement;

8. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for an Accessory Dwelling Unit, the Applicant shall record a deed restriction obliging current and future property owners to maintain compliance with Section 912.08.E and Section 912.08.E.d[4];

9. Accessory Dwelling Units shall be exempt from the on-site parking requirements of Section 914; and

10. Accessory Dwelling Units shall only be permitted as accessory to structures with no more than one (1) legally established residential dwelling unit.