Pittsburgh Zoning Districts - UPR-B Uses

PittsburghZoning
Written By Carolyn Ristau

By Kathleen Oldrey

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 March 2022, the following uses are allowable in the UPR-B (Uptown Public Realm Subdistrict B) zoning district per section 908.04.D.2.

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 Detached Residential

  • Single-Unit Attached Residential

  • Two-Unit Residential

  • Three-Unit Residential

  • Multi-Unit Residential

  • Housing for the Elderly (Limited & General)

  • Agriculture (Limited)

  • Animal Care (Limited)

  • Art or Music Studio

  • Bank or Financial Institution (Limited & General)

  • Bed and Breakfast (Limited & General)

  • Child Care (Limited & General)

  • Community Center (Limited & General)

  • Cultural Service (Limited)

  • Grocery Store (General)

  • Laboratory/Research Services (Limited & General)

  • Library (Limited & General)

  • Medical Office/Clinic (Limited)

  • Office (Limited & General)

  • Parks and Recreation (Limited)

  • Recreation and Entertainment, Indoor (Limited)

  • Recycling Collection Station

  • Religious Assembly (Limited)

  • Restaurant (Limited & General)

  • Retail Sales and Service (Limited & General)

  • Sidewalk Cafe

  • Vocational School (Limited)

Administrator Exception

This section lists the uses that are permitted through an administrator exception. 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.

  • Assisted Living Class A

  • Multi-Suite Residential (Limited)

  • Personal Care Residence (Small)

  • Construction Contractor (Limited)

  • Grocery Store (Limited)

  • Medical Office/Clinic (General)

  • Religious Assembly (General)

  • Restaurant, Fast-Food (Limited)

  • Safety Service

  • Utility (Limited)

  • Vocational School (General)

  • New or Unlisted Uses

    • When a new or unlisted use is under review in the UPR-B subdistrict, the zoning code specifies that the proposed use must be evaluated for consistency and compliance with the Uptown/West Oakland EcoInnovation District Plan.

Special Exception

This section lists the uses permitted through a special exception. 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.

  • Assisted Living Class B & C

  • Community Home

  • Multi-Suite Residential (General)

  • Personal Care Residence (Large)

  • Agriculture (Limited) with Beekeeping

  • Agriculture (Limited & General)

  • Club (General)

  • Communication Tower, Class A & B

  • Cultural Services (General)

  • Educational Classroom Space (Limited)

  • Forestry Activities

  • Funeral Home

  • Hotel/Motel (Limited)

  • Incinerator, Solid Waste

  • Laundry Services

  • Manufacturing and Assembly (Limited & General)

  • Medical Marijuana Dispensary

  • Nursery, Retail (Limited & General)

  • Outdoor Retail Sales and Service

  • Parking, Commercial (Limited)

  • Parking, Structure (Limited & General)

  • Recreation and Entertainment, Indoor (General)

  • Recreation and Entertainment, Outdoor (Limited)

  • Recycling Processing Center

  • School, Elementary or Secondary (Limited)

  • Vehicle/Equipment Repair (Limited)

  • Warehouse (Limited)

  • Welding or Machine Shop (Limited)

Conditional Use

This section lists the uses permitted through a conditional use. 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.

  • College or University Campus

  • Communication Tower, Class C

  • Custodial Care Facility

  • Hospital

  • School, Elementary or Secondary (General)

  • Transit Facility

  • Utility (General)

For Additional Information

See our overview of the UPR for more about this district and our Introduction to Pittsburgh’s Zoning Districts for the complete list of base zoning districts in the city.

Carolyn Ristau
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