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 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 out Contacts page for Construction Inspector contact information.
Over the counter applications will require a Residential Building Permit Application.
Accessory Structure
An accessory structures are smaller normally un-occupied structures that are associated with a single-family or two-family dwelling. 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 are 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 are structural in nature or a part of a permit that includes structural work.
- Accessory Structure: this applies to 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 Work Type:
- Non-structural Renovations - Exterior: applies to modifications to the exterior of the structure which are not structural in nature.
- This would include, but is not limited to roofing, window or replacement in the same size and location, siding or exterior wall covering modifications.
- Non-structural Renovations - Interior: applies any modification to the interior of the structure which are structural in nature
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.
- Single story accessory structures without an occupied roof.
- 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 permit scope for a residential structure.
- Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire (PBF)
- Required for housing developments to review: fire apparatus access roads and fire flows.