Pittsburgh Zoning Map - Parking Reduction Zoning

By Carolyn Ristau

Introduction

Pittsburgh’s interactive zoning map includes many layers besides the zoning districts, most of which relate to requirements within or adjacent to the zoning code. For an overview on how to use the interactive zoning map, see our introductory post.

To select different layers, click the stack of paper in the upper right corner. The layers available are listed below. Today’s post features the Parking Reduction Zoning layer, pictured above and in bold text below.

1. Zoning

   • Zoning Districts

   • Zoning Districts Outlines

   • Zoning Max. Height Overlay

   • Height Reduction Zone Overlay

   • 1500’ Major Transit Buffer

   • Parking Reduction Areas

   • North Side Commercial Parking Prohibited Area

   • Baum Centre Zoning Overlay

   • Inclusionary Housing Overlay District

2. RCO (Registered Community Organization) Areas

3. City Divisions

   • DPW Divisions

   • Neighborhoods

   • Council Districts 2012

   • Council Districts 2022 (Current)

   • Wards

4. Historic Preservation

   • Mexican War Street Historic Boundary

   • Individual City-Designated Properties

   • Pittsburgh City Historic Districts

5. Environment

   • RIV Riparian Buffer (125 Feet)

   • Stormwater Riparian Buffer

   • Floodplain Areas

   • Landslide Prone

   • Potential Steep Slopes Overlay Area

   • Undermined Areas

6. Addresses

7. Allegheny County

8. City Boundaries

9. Imagery 2021

The Parking Reduction Zoning Layer

Overview

This layer of the interactive zoning map shows the areas where there are lower requirements for car parking than the standard regulations. To see details of a specific parking reduction area, including the name and the permitted reduction:

• Click within the boundaries of the parking reduction zone

• Use the arrows to navigate between the pop-up windows as necessary

Relationship with Zoning

The Parking Reduction Zoning layer shows the designated off-street parking exemption or reduction areas in the Parking Loading and Access Chapter of the Zoning Code.

914.04. - Off-Street Parking Exemption/Reduction Areas.

The minimum off-street parking requirements of Section 914.02.A shall be decreased as shown in the following table for uses located in districts designated on the Official Zoning Map as "Parking Exempt Areas." Uses located in Parking Exempt Areas shall provide no more than the otherwise required minimum parking ratio established in Section 914.02.A.

Area | Use Type | Percent Decrease

SP Districts & PUDs | Any use | Parking Demand Analysis

Downtown | Any use | 100%

East Liberty | Any use except residential | 50%

SP-11 Lower Hill | Any use | 100%

North Shore | Any use except residential | 25%

North Side | Any use except residential | 25%

Oakland | Any use except residential | 50%

Uptown Public Realm District | Any use | 100%

Riverfront Zoning Districts | Any use | 50%

The parking reductions of this section shall not be applicable to the minimum Bicycle Parking requirements of Section 914.05.

In other words, any application for a new or expanded use in one of these areas can reduce the accompanying car parking requirement by the amounts indicated without any additional process, such as a posted notice or hearing.

Challenges

The pale blue of this layer can be hard to distinguish, as the standard base map uses a similar shade.

Conclusion

The Parking Reduction Zoning layer is one of the few layers that reduce the requirements for a zoning application instead of adding to them. Start with Pittsburgh’s interactive zoning map to check if your project is within one of the designated reduction areas of this layer. If it is, take a moment to celebrate! Then, if it is consistent with your project’s programming, adjust the number of provided car parking spaces accordingly.