Lot Licenses

The City of Pittsburgh requires licenses for the operation of commercial parking lots and for the owners/operators of those lots to remove vehicles from those lots. For the specifics and requirements of those two licenses, the Parking Lot and Limited Towing licenses, please see those sections below.

The licenses below can be applied for either online through the OneStopPGH application platform or in-person at the OneStopPGH Counter at 412 Boulevard of the Allies.

For general information on license issuance, expiration, fees, and more please see the main Business Licenses page.

If you’re looking for additional info or clarification on your license requirements you can check out the Rules and Regulations(PDF, 544KB) or contact the Application Technicians at pliapptech@pittsburghpa.gov

 

Parking Lot License

The City of Pittsburgh requires a Parking Lot License for anyone who conducts any commercial revenue-generating parking place or lot. Please see Chapter 763 of the City Code and the PLI Licensing Rules and Regulations(PDF, 544KB).

The following revenue generating commercial parking lots are exempt from the Parking Lot License:

  1. Any parking garage or place that is provided or leased exclusively to occupants of a residence, or parking garage or place where at least 80% of spaces are provided to residents on the same or other premises for use only in connection to the residence.
  2. Parking place or garage that is provided exclusively for guests or tenants of a hotel, tourist court, or trailer park.
  3. Parking by an employee for a fee in a parking lot owned or operated by or for his or her employer at the employee's regular place of business (PCC 763.04).

Documents Required at Submission:

  1. Valid Government Issued Photo ID
  2. General Liability Certificate of Insurance showing coverage for the applicant at the location where licensed activity will take place, and listing the City of Pittsburgh as the certificate holder and additionally insured. General liability insurance minimums as follows: $1,000,000 each occurrence, $2,000,000 general aggregate.
  3. Worker’s Compensation Certificate of Insurance showing Worker's Compensation coverage for the applicant business and listing the City of Pittsburgh as the certificate holder. If the business does not have any employees, the department will accept a notarized statement attesting that there are no employees. (You can download that form here.)
  4. Tax Compliance Letter from the City Department of Finance, which you can request via email at taxcompliance@pittsburghpa.gov
  5. Certificate of Occupancy for use as a parking lot. Search for existing certificates of occupancy.
  6. Sketch or Plot Drawing of details of the lot. For parking garages, a description of the number of uniformed security and floor plans should be included.

 

Limited Towing License

In order for the owner or operator of a non-residential parking place/lot to remove or have a vehicle removed from the parking place lot, the City of Pittsburgh requires the person to obtain an annual limited towing license. The requirement does not apply to abandoned vehicles.

Inspections are completed to insure that the parking place/lot meet applicable PennDOT Signage Regulations, and that the name and contact info of the towing company are prominently displayed.

For more information on the requirements and restrictions of a limited towing license, see Chapter 763, section 12 of the City Code and the PLI Rules and Regulations(PDF, 544KB).

Documents Required at Submission:

  1. Valid Government Issued Photo ID
  2. General Liability Certificate of Insurance showing coverage for the applicant at the location where licensed activity will take place, and listing the City of Pittsburgh as the certificate holder and additionally insured. General liability insurance minimums as follows: $1,000,000 each occurrence, $2,000,000 general aggregate.
  3. Certificate of Occupancy for use as a parking lot. Search for existing certificates of occupancy.
  4. Sketch or Plot Drawing of details of the lot. For parking garages, a description of the number of uniformed security and floor plans should be included.

 

Looking for additional info or clarification on your license requirements?
Check out the Rules and Regulations(PDF, 544KB) 

last updated: 07/31/2026

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