PITTSBURGH, PA — Pittsburgh has launched the first phase of a permitting overhaul designed to move routine projects faster while giving applicants clearer information about complex reviews.
The city said 15 residential and commercial permit types that do not require design review are now eligible for an “EZ Permits” fast lane, with approvals available in as little as one business day. Officials said the changes are intended to reduce delays for homeowners, small businesses and other applicants.
Phase 1 also makes video inspections available for 13 eligible residential permit types. The city said those virtual appointments may be available within two days, giving homeowners more scheduling flexibility.
Other changes include standardized pre-application meetings for complex projects, guided workflows, consolidated online resources and expanded data collection. The OneStopPGH permit tracker, launched in July, allows applicants to follow an application through the review process and see estimated timelines.
The Mayor’s Office is leading the overhaul with the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections, the Department of City Planning and the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure. Two additional phases are expected to focus on reviews and inspections, including a public performance dashboard and a broader rewrite of the zoning code.
Representative photo: Ross Street entrance to the Pittsburgh City-County Building. Photo by Cbaile19, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Official source: City of Pittsburgh
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