Residential Building Permits

A residential building permit is required for the following work on a residential building or structure:

• Renovate and repair an existing single-family or two-family dwelling.
• Construct an addition to an existing single-family or two-family dwelling.
• Construct a new structure including a new single-family or two-family dwelling or accessory structure.

Please see Permit Home for the definition of residential structures and work type.  Please see work not requiring a permit for work that can be performed without a PLI permit. Please visit our Contacts page for Construction Inspector contact information. 

Over the counter applications will require a Residential Building Permit Application.

Accessory Structure

An accessory structure is a smaller normally un-occupied structure that is associated with a structure that serves as the primary use of the property.  Accessory structures include, but are not limited to fences, pools, decks, sheds, garages, etc.

New Construction Work Type:

• New Building Complete: applies to the complete construction of a single-family or two-family dwelling under a single building permit.
• New Building Phased: applies to the construction of a single-family or two-family dwelling performed under separate permits for each phase. 
  • For example, one phased permit is for the foundation and another phased permit is for the remaining construction.
  • Please note that permit holders proceed at their own risk with phased permits with no assurance that PLI will grant a permit for the entire structure.
• Site Work: applies to modifications to the site beyond those directly associated with the construction of the building.  This would exclude excavation for the foundation.
• Accessory Structure – applies to the construction of accessory structures in association with the construction of new single-family or two-family dwelling.

Addition / Alteration Work Type:

• Addition: this applies to modifications of an existing structure which either increases the area or the volume of the building or structure.
• Alterations – Exterior: this applies to any modification to the exterior of the structure which is structural in nature or a part of a permit that includes structural work.
• Alterations – Interior: this applies to any modification to the interior of the structure which is structural in nature or a part of a permit that includes structural work.
• Accessory Structure: this applies to the construction of a new accessory structure or modifications to an existing structure that is accessory to an existing single-family or two-family dwelling.

Minor Alteration Work Type:

Any applications that are not limited to the items listed below shall require an addition/alteration work type permit. All minor alterations exclude structural modifications.  All structural work requires an addition/alteration work type.

• Roofing: applies to repair and/or removal and replacement of roofing. 
• Siding/Single Layer Veneer: applies to repair and/or replacement of siding and/or single layer veneer.
• Replacing Window/Door: applies to window/door repair and/or replacement in kind - same size, and location.
• Kitchen Renovation: applies to renovations to kitchens.
• Bathroom Renovation: applies to renovations to bathrooms.
• Bedroom Renovation: applies to renovations to bedrooms.
• Basement Renovation: applies to renovations to basements.
• Other Interior Renovation: applies to non-structural renovations for which another work scope is not applicable.
• Removal/Installation of Non-structural Walls: applies to general renovation that includes removal and installation of non-structural walls.

Permit Process:

See these webpages for additional information regarding the permitting process:

• Permit Process
• Application Submission
  • All Work Types other than Minor Alterations require submission of drawings to OneStopPGH.
  • Please note that drawings prepared and sealed by a PA licensed architect may not be required for the following:
    • Single story accessory structures without an occupied roof.
      • Applies if the submitted drawings provide sufficient detail to demonstrate compliance with prescriptive building code requirements.
    • Decks that are designed per the Residential Deck Form and comply with associated restrictions.
    • Pools that are designed per the Residential Pool Form and comply with associated restrictions.
    • Single story additions without an occupied roof.
      • Applies if the submitted drawings provide sufficient detail to demonstrate compliance with prescriptive building code requirements.
      • The addition does not rely on the existing building for structural support.
• Application Review
• Permit Issuance
• Permit Inspections
• Permit Completion

Please see Other Agency Coordination for processes related to other agencies that may relate to your permit scope.  For residential building permits:

• Zoning Development Review application (ZDR) submission is required for the following:
  • New Construction Work Type for all work scopes
  • Addition / Alteration Work Type with these work scopes:
    •  
    • Alterations – Exterior
    • Accessory Structure
    • Work that includes a change in use or certification of a new use.
    • Or any work scope if the property is located in a regulated floodplain.
  • Minor Work Type with this work scope:
    • Non-structural Renovations - Exterior
    • Or any work scope if the property is located in a regulated floodplain.
• Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI)
  • Required for if work includes vehicle access onto the subject site or encroachments into the public right of way such as balconies or decks.
• Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD)
  • Required for new plumbing systems and may be required for modifications to existing plumbing systems. This would include installation of suppression systems as required for townhouses.
• PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)
  • Required for any pre-fabricated modules or components used as part of the permitted scope for a residential structure.
• Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire (PBF)
  • Required for housing developments to review: fire apparatus access roads and fire flows.