How do the residential codes work?

In two parts: a form marker such as R1D single unit detached, R1A single unit attached, R2 two unit or RM multi unit, followed by a density suffix from VL very low through VH very high.

Which is the largest classification?

Parks And Open Space at roughly 7,576 acres, ahead of the largest residential district at about 4,481 acres and the Hillside district at roughly 3,003.

Pittsburgh Zoning Intelligence

Zoning, permitted uses, and development potential for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 56 districts with their permitted uses and building controls.

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City Context

How is Pittsburgh zoned?

Pittsburgh regulates land through 56 zoning districts, and two features stand out.

The first is the Hillside district at roughly 3,003 acres, the third largest classification. Pittsburgh's topography is its defining physical feature, and zoning steep slopes as their own district rather than through an overlay means the constraint is part of the district identity.

The second is the Riverfront family. Four districts cover it: Riverfront Industrial Mixed Use at roughly 1,342 acres, Riverfront General Industrial at about 1,082, Riverfront Mixed Use at roughly 512 and Riverfront North Shore at about 392. In a city defined by three rivers, having four riverfront designations distinguished by intended use is a coherent framework, and naming one for the North Shore identifies a specific place.

The residential codes carry two parts: a form marker and a density suffix. R1D is single unit detached and R1A single unit attached, R2 two unit and RM multi unit, each followed by VL, L, M, H or VH for very low through very high density. R1D-L is the largest district at roughly 4,481 acres.

An Educational And Medical Institution district covers roughly 886 acres, naming the city's two largest institutional sectors together.

Parks And Open Space is the largest classification at roughly 7,576 acres. This is pre-development intelligence, not legal advice - verify with the local planning department before acquisition.

Zoning Districts

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Zoning Districts: What Do They Mean?

Zoning districts are areas regulated by specific laws that determine land use, building types, and development rules. Each district below shows its zone type. Pittsburgh's ordinance does not state permitted uses as citywide flags, so they are read from each district's own table rather than summarised here.

Zone Code	Zone Type	Area
P Parks And Open Space	-	7,575.9 ac
R1D-L Single Unit Detached Residential Low Density	-	4,480.8 ac
H Hillside	-	3,003.5 ac
R1D-H Single Unit Detached Residential High Density	-	2,295 ac
R1D-M Single Unit Detached Residential Moderate Density	-	2,274 ac
R2-L Two Unit Residential Low Density	-	1,862.8 ac
RM-M Multi Unit Residential Moderate Density	-	1,695.4 ac
UI Urban Industrial	-	1,546.2 ac
RIV-IMU Riverfront Industrial Mixed Use	-	1,342.5 ac
RIV-GI Riverfront General Industrial	-	1,082 ac
RP Residential Planned Unit Development	-	1,006.7 ac
LNC Local Neighborhood Commercial	-	983.2 ac
EMI Educational And Medical Institution	-	886 ac
R1A-H Single Unit Attached Residential High Density	-	773.2 ac
R1A-VH Single Unit Attached Residential Very High Density	-	657.3 ac
R1D-VL Single Unit Detached Residential Very Low Density	-	607.1 ac
R2-H Two Unit Residential High Density	-	515.4 ac
RIV-MU Riverfront Mixed Use	-	511.5 ac
GI General Industrial	-	439 ac
RIV-NS Riverfront North Shore	-	392.1 ac

Building Controls

What are the building controls in Pittsburgh?

Setback, height, FAR, lot area, and density controls enforced across Pittsburgh zoning districts.

Building height
Coverage
Density
FAR
Front setback
Lot
Lot width
Pervious
Rear setback
Side setback

Other Pennsylvania cities

Pittsburgh zoning: frequently asked questions

What is the Hillside district?: A district covering roughly 3,003 acres, the third largest classification. Zoning steep slopes as their own district rather than through an overlay makes the constraint part of the district identity.
What are the Riverfront districts?: Four districts distinguished by intended use: Riverfront Industrial Mixed Use at roughly 1,342 acres, Riverfront General Industrial at about 1,082, Riverfront Mixed Use at roughly 512 and Riverfront North Shore at about 392.
How do the residential codes work?: In two parts: a form marker such as R1D single unit detached, R1A single unit attached, R2 two unit or RM multi unit, followed by a density suffix from VL very low through VH very high.
What is the Educational And Medical Institution district?: A district covering roughly 886 acres that names the city's two largest institutional sectors together rather than separating universities from hospitals.
Which is the largest classification?: Parks And Open Space at roughly 7,576 acres, ahead of the largest residential district at about 4,481 acres and the Hillside district at roughly 3,003.

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Zoning data is pre-development intelligence, not legal advice. Verify with the Pittsburgh planning department before acquisition or design.