Shed Installation Permits in Pittsburgh

Local Rule

City of Pittsburgh Permits, Licenses and Inspections (PLI); Pittsburgh Zoning Code, local amendment to the PA Uniform Construction Code (UCC)

A detached, single-story accessory building, such as a tool or storage shed or a playhouse, is exempt from PLI and Zoning regulation and can be built without a Building and Development Application, provided the floor area stays at 200 square feet or less and the building is accessory to a single-family or two-family dwelling; this is a stricter local amendment than the Pennsylvania UCC's statewide 1,000-square-foot baseline exemption. A shed in this exempt size range placed in a side yard still needs a zoning permit, though not a building permit. Once a shed exceeds 200 square feet, both a zoning permit and a building permit are required, with fees based on construction value (minimum $130).

Source · Verified September 2026

Pittsburgh Building Department

Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.

How This Compares to Allegheny County

Pittsburgh's own rule is shown above (No permit under 200 sqft). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:

Allegheny County / local code

In Allegheny County a shed under 120 square feet in a rear yard typically needs no permit, but the same shed in a side yard often needs a zoning permit (as in Philadelphia). A shed over 120 square feet, or one with utilities or a permanent foundation, needs a building permit, and zoning setbacks apply regardless of size.

See the full county page

Nearby Cities with Verified Rules

Other cities near Pittsburgh with a confirmed shed installation rule:

FAQs

Building It Yourself? Here's What You'll Need

Popular tools and materials homeowners use for a shed installation project:

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