Pittsburgh Zoning Districts - GI Uses
By Carolyn Ristau
Uses
Zoning districts regulate what uses are permitted through what approval paths. Any use not listed in the following four categories below would require a use variance from the zoning board to proceed, unless the zoning administrator determines it is a use-not-listed that can be reviewed by staff.
As of July 2021, the online version of the use table identifies the following uses as allowable in the GI (General Industrial) zoning district. Note: Whenever there is a code amendment it often takes months for the online version to be updated. Zoning staff have access to the most recent code amendments, which can also be found on the city’s online legislation center.
Permitted-by-Right (P)
Uses that are permitted-by-right are designated by a P in the use table. These uses can be approved administratively by staff and were often referred to as “over-the-counter” under the in-person, paper submittal process. (As this is Pittsburgh, the phrase will likely stick for some time even now that the online submittal process has essentially done away with the counter.)
Note: Permitted-by-right is permitted only provided that all applicable zoning code regulations are met, not just the use standards.
Agriculture (Limited & General)
Agriculture (Limited) with Beekeeping
Animal Care (General)
Basic Industry
Car Wash
Club (Limited & General)
Construction Contractor (Limited & General)
Cultural Service (Limited)
Freight Terminal
Funeral Home
Grocery Store (Limited)
Laboratory/Research Services (Limited & General)
Laundry Services
Manufacturing and Assembly (Limited & General)
Medical Marijuana Dispensary
Medical Marijuana Growing and Processing
Medical Office/Clinic (Limited & General)
Nursery, Retail (Limited)
Office (Limited)
Parking Commercial (General)
Recycling Collection Station
Recycling Processing Center
Safety Service
Service Station
Utility (Limited & General)
Vehicle/Equipment Repair (Limited & General)
Vehicle/Equipment Sales (Limited & General)
Vocational School (Limited & General)
Warehouse (Limited & General)
Warehouse, Residential Storage
Welding or Machine Shop
Administrator Exception (A)
Uses that are permitted through the administrator exception process are designated by an A in the use table. The administrator exception process is reviewed by staff but involves a posted notice on the property and additional fees. It usually requires more documentation than the permitted-by-right process.
Child Care (Limited & General)
Communication Tower, Class A
Grocery Store (General)
Nursery, Retail (General)
Office (General)
Parking Commercial (Limited)
Parking Structure (Limited & General)
Parks and Recreation (Limited & General)
Restaurant, Fast-Food (Limited & General)
Restaurant (Limited)
Retail Sales and Service (Limited & General)
Salvage Yard
Special Exception (S)
Uses that are permitted through the special exception process are designated by an S in the use table. The special exception process is reviewed by the Zoning Board of Adjustment and involves a posted notice, public hearing, and additional fees. For each special exception, there are specific criteria listed in the zoning code that must be met before the zoning board can approve the proposal.
Personal Care Residence (Large)
Adult Entertainment
Check Cashing
Communication Tower, Class B
Cultural Services (General)
Forestry Activities
Firearms Business Establishment
Helistop
Pawn Shop
Recreation and Entertainment, Outdoor (General)
Religious Assembly (Limited & General)
New and Unlisted Uses
Conditional Use (C)
Uses that are permitted through the conditional use process are designated by a C in the use table. The conditional use process is reviewed by the Planning Commission, which then makes a recommendation to City Council which is the approving body. There are multiple posted notices, multiple public hearings, and additional fees.
Communication Tower, Class C
Controlled Substance Dispensation Facility
Correctional Facility (Limited & General)
Excavation/Grading/Fill, Major
Hazardous Operations
Helipad
Heliport
Incinerator, Solid Waste
Transit Facility
For Additional Information:
See our overview of the GI for more about this district and our Introduction to Pittsburgh’s Zoning Districts for the complete list of base zoning districts in the city.
