Local building department guide · Updated 2026-07-30
Pittsburgh Building Department | Permits, Inspections & Contact
Use this guide to find the official Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections, start a permit application, search permit records, schedule an inspection, and locate the correct zoning or plan review contact.
Start here
Quick actions
Apply for a building permit
Review the typical application path and prepare your project details.
See permit stepsTrack or search permits
Find Pittsburgh permit search resources and application status links.
Search permitsSchedule a building inspection
Learn what to have ready before requesting your next inspection.
Schedule inspectionOther portal login
Open the department's official online services and permit portal.
Open portalPittsburgh’s Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI) is the municipal building and code authority inside the City of Pittsburgh. Allegheny County does not replace the city for ordinary Pittsburgh building permits; projects outside city limits must be directed to the applicable municipality or other code official.
Pittsburgh building permits and OneStopPGH
OneStopPGH is the city’s shared online service for PLI permits, planning applications, fire-code permits, licenses, payments, and application management. Start by identifying the property address, project scope, structure type, and work type. Pittsburgh’s permit resources explain that the portal identifies the documents and reviews required for the selected application. Most building permits also require zoning approval, commonly documented through a Record of Zoning Approval (ROZA).
Pittsburgh inspections and certificate of occupancy
The permit holder is responsible for requesting inspections through OneStopPGH. Required stages can include pre-inspection, footing and foundation, rough trade work, framing, accessibility and energy checks, and final inspections. Work must remain exposed until the applicable inspection passes, and the permit, approved documents, and valid trade licensing must be maintained at the site. Pittsburgh’s online occupancy search lets the public search certificates by permit number, address, parcel ID, or ward; the city notes that a certificate of occupancy may be required for a change of use or project closeout even though it is not required solely to buy or sell every existing single-family home.
Permit status and zoning review
Use the city’s permit-status resources to search open and closed PLI permits by address, neighborhood, ZIP code, or permit number. City Planning handles zoning and development review, while PLI issues the related building permits. New construction, new business uses, and many interior changes require zoning review before the permit can be issued.
Official contact information
The City of Pittsburgh lists PLI at the City-County Building, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, with a main city phone of (412) 255-2621. OneStopPGH customer service also lists (412) 255-2175 for portal help. Confirm the current review sequence, code edition, fees, inspection lead time, and occupancy requirements on the official PLI pages before submitting.
Permit process
How to Apply for a Pittsburgh Building Permit
Confirm the project scope
Identify the work, property address, project valuation, and whether plans are required.
Prepare your documents
Gather plans, owner and contractor details, site information, and any zoning approvals.
Submit and monitor
Submit through the department’s stated process, pay fees, and watch for review comments.
Field work & closeout
Building Inspections & Code Compliance in Pittsburgh
Most permitted work must remain accessible for inspection at defined stages. Before scheduling, check your permit record for the required inspection sequence and make sure the site is safe and ready. Final inspections can be especially important for code compliance and a certificate of occupancy.
Helpful preparation
Keep the permit card or approval number available, confirm the property address, and ask the official office about lead times or reinspection fees.
Planning & review
Zoning and Plan Review Requirements
A building permit is not always the only approval your project needs. Zoning guidelines may affect use, setbacks, height, parking, signage, or lot coverage. Residential and commercial building permits can also follow different plan review tracks, so confirm the correct path before investing in a full plan set.
For a project in Pittsburgh, start with the official department below and ask which zoning, planning, conservation, or fire review approvals apply to your address.
Keep this handy
Official Contact Information
| Department | Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections |
|---|---|
| Phone | 412-255-2621 |
| Address | City-County Building, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 |
| Official website | https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/Business-Development/Permits-Licenses-and-Inspections |
| Last verified | 2026-07-30 |
Official source pages used for this guide
These links were checked on 2026-07-30. Requirements, fees, office hours, and portal addresses can change; use the official source as the final authority.
- https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/Business-Development/Permits-Licenses-and-Inspections
- https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/Business-Development/Permits-Licenses-and-Inspections/OneStopPGH
- https://onestoppgh.pittsburghpa.gov/pghprod/webui/
- https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/Business-Development/Permits-Licenses-and-Inspections/OneStopPGH/What-is-the-Status-of-My-Permit
- https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/Business-Development/Permits-Licenses-and-Inspections/Permits/Permit-Process/Permit-Inspections
- https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/Business-Development/City-Planning/Zoning/Zoning-FAQ
- https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/Business-Development/Permits-Licenses-and-Inspections/References-Resources-and-Forms/Other-Applications-Forms/Online-Occupancy-Search