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COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMIT

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Commercial Building Permit

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

  • Renovate and repair an existing building or structure
  • Construct an addition to an existing building or structure
  • Construct a new structure or accessory structure.

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

Accessory Structure

An accessory structure is a smaller normally unoccupied 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:

The new construction work type applies to the construction of a new building. The applicant shall identify one or more of the following work scopes: 

  • New Building Complete: construction of a new building under a single permit. 
  • Phased Building – Exterior Building Shell: phased construction that includes the exterior shell. 
  • Phased Building – Footings & Foundation: phased construction that includes footings and foundation. 
  • Phased Building – Interior Building Core: phased construction that includes the building core.    
  • Phased Building – Tenant Fit-out: phased building permit that includes the first fit-out of tenant space in a new building.   
  • Site Work (Grading): site work related to the construction of the building. A land operations permit is required for site work beyond the general boundaries of the building footprint.   
  • Accessory – Deck: construction of a deck accessory to a new building. 
  • Accessory – Detached Garage: construction of a detached garage accessory to a new building. 
  • Accessory – Fence: construction of a fence over 6 feet tall accessory to a new building. 
  • Accessory – Other: construction of a structure of a type not otherwise identified accessory to a new building.  
  • Accessory – Pool: construction of a pool accessory to a new building. 
  • Accessory – Porch: construction of a porch accessory to a new building. 
  • Accessory – Retaining Wall: construction of a retaining wall that is over 4 feet tall and/or supports a surcharge accessory to a new building. 
  • Modular Construction: construction that includes the use of modular units or components. Selected in addition to one or more of the other work scopes. 

Addition / Alteration Work Type:

The addition/alteration work type applies to the alteration of an existing building. This work type excludes the first fit-out of tenant space in a new building. The applicant shall identify one or more of the following work scopes: 

  • Addition With Foundation: construction of an addition that includes a footing/foundation.  
  • Addition Without Foundation: construction of an addition that does not include a footing/foundation such as a vertical addition.  
  • Alterations - Exterior: alterations to the exterior of a building. 
  • Alterations - Interior: alterations of the interior of a building.  
  • Change In Use: alterations include change in use and/or certification of a use. 
  • Emergency Work/Stabilization: work necessary to stabilize a building after damage and/or partial collapse. A permit limited to this work scope has an SLA of 7 business days. 
  • Interior Non-structural Demo (No New Walls/Doors): demolition of the interior of a building that excludes installation of new walls and/or doors. A permit limited to this work scope has an SLA of 7 business days. 
  • Modular Construction: construction that includes the use of modular units or components. Selected in addition to one or more of the other work scopes  
  • Phased Alteration – Core & Shell: phased construction (alteration or addition) that includes creating a core and shell or vacant tenant space. A separate related building permit with a "Phased Alteration – Tenant Fit-out" work scope is required.  This work scope is to be elected in addition to one or more other work scopes. This work scope does not authorize phased occupancy.
  • Phased Alteration – Tenant Fit-out: phased construction (alteration or addition) that includes the fit-out of a tenant space. A separate related building permit with a "Phased Alteration – Core & Shell" work scope is required. This work scope is to be elected in addition to one or more other work scopes. This work scope does not authorize phased occupancy.
  • Site Work (Grading): site work related to the construction of the building. A land operations permit is required for site work beyond the general boundaries of the building footprint.   
  • Accessory – Deck: construction or alteration of a deck accessory to an existing building. 
  • Accessory – Demolition: demolition of an existing accessory structure. 
  • Accessory – Detached Garage: construction or alteration of a detached garage accessory to an existing building. 
  • Accessory – Fence: construction or alteration of a fence over 6 feet tall accessory to an existing building associated with other addition/alteration work scopes. 
  • Accessory – Other: construction or alteration of a structure of a type not otherwise identified accessory to an existing building.  
  • Accessory – Pool: construction or alteration of a pool accessory to an existing building. 
  • Accessory – Porch: construction of a porch accessory to an existing building. 
  • Accessory – Retaining Wall: construction or alteration of a retaining wall that is over 4 feet tall and/or supports a surcharge accessory to an existing building. 

Minor Alteration Work Type: 

The minor alteration work type applies to the alteration of an existing building. Work scopes associated with interior work apply to buildings with a valid certificate of occupancy. The applicant shall identify one or more of the following work scopes: 

  • Accessory – Fence: construction or alteration of a fence over 6 feet tall accessory to an existing building. 
  • Ceiling Repair/Replacement: repair and/or replacement of a ceiling in kind. No framing modifications, including furring, are permitted. 
  • Drywall/Plaster Repair/Replacement: repair and/or replacement of drywall and/or plaster in kind. No framing modifications, including furring, are permitted. 
  • Repair of porch/deck: repairing limited elements of a porch or deck in kind (same size, spacing, materials, etc.). No alterations in the materials, size, or spacing of members or rebuilding of the porch or deck are permitted.  
  • Roofing: repairing or replacing roofing. No framing modifications are permitted. 
  • Siding/Single Layer Veneer:  repairing or replacing siding or a single layer of masonry or stone veneer. No framing modifications, including furring, or modifications of multi-wythe masonry and/or self-supporting masonry/stone are permitted.  
  • Window Replacement: replacement of windows in kind (same type, size, and location) for locations that are 3 stories or less above grade. No replacement of storefronts and/or doors is permitted. 

Permit Process

See these web pages for additional information regarding the permitting process:

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

  • Zoning Development Review application (ZDR) submission is required for the following:
    • New Construction work scopes: all.  
    • Addition / Alteration work scopes: 
      • Always: Addition With Foundation, Addition Without Foundation, Change In Use, Phased Alteration – Core & Shell, Phased Alteration – Tenant Fit-out, Site Work (Grading), all accessory work scopes. 
      • Location Dependent: Alterations – Exterior. Applicable if the property is located in a historic district, the building is an individually designated historic structure, or the property is located in an overlay district subject to Planning Commission review and the value of construction is above the zoning code identified threshold. 
    • Minor Alteration work scopes: 
      • Always: Accessory – Fence 
      • Location Dependent: Repair of porch/deck, Roofing, Siding/Single Layer Veneer, and Window Replacement. Applicable if the property is located in a historic district, the building is an individually designated historic structure, or the property is located in an overlay district subject to Planning Commission review and the value of construction is above the zoning code identified threshold. 
    • Development of a property in a regulated floodplain requires a PLI Floodplain permit.
  • Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI)
    • Required if work includes vehicle access onto the subject site or encroachments into a public right of way such as accessible ramps at building entrances, balconies, or decks.
  • PA Department of Health (DOH)
    • Required for a structure regulated by the PA Health Care Facilities Act.
  • Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD)
    • Required for new plumbing systems and may be required for modifications to existing plumbing systems.
  • PA Department of Community and Economic Development
    • Required for any pre-fabricated modules or components used as part of the permitted scope for a building or structure that is classified as a Group R occupancy.
  • Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire
    • Required for new structures to review: fire apparatus access roads, fire flows (water supply available for fire department use), fire command center (if required), and emergency responder radio coverage.
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