Pittsburgh Mayor Proposes Zoning Changes to Curb Housing Shortage

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey is proposing new legislation to address the city’s housing demand that includes a plan to legalize accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and reduce minimum parking requirements, among other changes.

As Ann Belser explains in Next Pittsburgh, the package would also eliminate lot size requirements for apartment buildings and create new affordability requirements for larger buildings. “The proposed ordinance regarding minimum lot sizes would eliminate the required lot sizes per unit in areas zoned for residential very high density and reduce the lot size requirements for areas zoned residential high and moderate density,” Belser adds.

“As a whole, this package of zoning changes will make it easier and less expensive to build large projects and additional living spaces for our kids and aging parents,” said Councilmember Barb Warwick. Pittsburgh has been making other changes to zoning codes, including permitting personal care homes and shelters in every residential district and increasing the maximum occupancy. Meanwhile, a state law will exempt or defer property tax increases caused by rising neighborhood values.

The proposal also addresses transportation. “To promote travel by mass transit, the administration has proposed creating new transit- oriented districts, which provide tax incentives for developers along the East Busway at Herron Avenue, near South Hills Junction and in Sheridan near the West Busway.”