Pittsburgh Zoning Districts - OPR-D Uses
By Carolyn Ristau
Uses
Zoning districts regulate what uses are permitted through what approval paths. Any use not listed in the following categories 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.
While most zoning districts are found in the use table, the Public Realm districts are not. The uses for each of these districts are found in the district’s sections of the zoning code. As of October 2021, the following uses are allowable in the OPR-D (Oakland Public Realm Subdistrict D) zoning district as per Section 908.03.D.4. 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)
This section lists the uses that are permitted-by-right. These uses can be approved administratively by staff, a process that was 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: A use that is permitted-by-right is permissible only when all applicable zoning code regulations are met, not just the use standards.
Single-Unit Attached Residential
Two-Unit Residential
Three-Unit Residential
Multi-Unit Residential
Housing for the Elderly (Limited)
Animal Care (Limited)
Art or Music Studio
Bank or Financial Institution (Limited and General)
Bed and Breakfast (Limited and General)
Child Care (Limited and General)
Community Center (Limited and General)
Cultural Services (Limited and General)
Grocery Store (Limited and General)
Hotel/Motel (Limited and General)
Laboratory/Research Services (Limited and General)
Library (Limited and General)
Medical Office (Limited and General)
Nursery (Limited)
Office (Limited and General)
Parking Structure (Limited and General)
Parks and Recreation, Indoor and Outdoor (Limited)
Religious Assembly (Limited and General)
Restaurant, Fast-Food (Limited)
Restaurant (Limited and General)
Retail Sales and Services (Limited and General)
Safety Service
Sidewalk Cafe
Vocational School (Limited)
Other Uses
In addition to the uses permitted-by-right as listed above, additional uses may be permitted through the Administrator Exception, Special Exception, or Conditional Use processes as identified in the UNC (Urban Neighborhood Commercial) zoning district.
For Additional Information
See our overview of the OPR for more about this district and our Introduction to Pittsburgh’s Zoning Districts for the complete list of base zoning districts in the city.
