Zoning Board of Adjustment Application Requirements

Where do I sign up to have my case heard?

The Department of City Planning Zoning Office, 200 Ross Street, 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh.  Zoning Counter office hours are 8 AM to 3 PM.  Please do not arrive later than 2 PM to sign up for the ZBA. 

What do I need to sign up?

Department of City Planning staff will confirm that your zoning request requires a hearing and identify which type of variance, exception, review, or appeal the ZBA will consider.  You must bring:

• 5 copies of the survey or plot plan on letter or legal size paper
• List of adjacent property owners (see below)
• Check or money order, made payable to the Treasurer, City of Pittsburgh

How do I get this list of property owners?

The Allegheny County Property Assessment Office will provide this list, to ensure we notify the correct individuals.  Their office at 542 Forbes Avenue (at Ross Street), Room 303, Pittsburgh, and is open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.   A fee will be charged.  The list must include at least 6 abutting property owners, and must include properties directly and diagonally across the street or way from the subject property.  A list that has been typed by the applicant is not acceptable and may delay the hearing. 

How much is the fee?

The fee, payable with check or money order, is $25 plus one of the following:

• $200 for a Residential Dimensional Variance
• $500 for a Non-Residential Dimensional Variance
• $750 for a Use Variance
• $250 for a Residential Special Exception
• $550 for a Non-Residential Special Exception
• $500 for a Review
• $500 for a Protest Appeal

What should I bring the day of the hearing?

You must bring:

• Photo of Posted Notice, while posted on your property, with the date indicated on photo
• Elevation drawings for new construction
• Photographs of the property, adjacent properties, and the streetscape
• Copy of the executed lease or sales agreement, if applicable
• Any items/photos that may support your case

The owner, lessee or purchaser must be at the hearing.  An architect, contractor or agent cannot represent the owner.  An attorney may represent the owner.

Should I contact my neighbors?

The ZBA strongly encourages the applicant to reach out to their surrounding neighbors and local community groups prior to the hearing date.  If there is a considerable amount of opposition at the hearing, and the ZBA finds that a community discussion had not taken place, the ZBA may request that the hearing be postponed to a later date in order to allow for meetings with neighbors or community group to occur.

What if I still have questions?

For more information, contact Svetlana Ipatova, Zoning Case Review Specialist, at svetlana.ipatova@pittsburghpa.gov or 412-255-2214

To download this and additional information as a pdf, click here .