Pittsburgh Citywide Zoning Reform Signed Into Law

Mayor Corey O'Connor signed Pittsburgh's citywide zoning reform package into law on October 29, 2026, two days after City Council's unanimous approval. The Planning Commission approved the Pro-Housing and Small Business Growth amendments on July 29.

The reforms eliminate minimum off-street parking requirements citywide, ending a mandate in place since 1958, and allow accessory dwelling units by right across the city.

The final law replaces a proposed mandatory citywide inclusionary zoning requirement with a voluntary Affordable Housing Bonus Program. Participating developers may add 30 to 60 feet of height depending on location. Non-participants pay a fee expected to start at $25 per square foot of residential gross floor area into an affordable housing fund. The affordability term is 20 years, down from a proposed 35.

Mandatory inclusionary zoning remains in Lawrenceville, Polish Hill, Bloomfield and Oakland. Proposed legislation would require City Planning to report on the bonus program semiannually and conduct a two-year review.

The reforms precede a promised complete rewrite of the city's zoning code.