Design Review

Design review is an important part of the permitting process in the Department of City Planning. Architects and developers work with staff to help ensure high-quality development in Pittsburgh. Successful design improves quality of life, enhances neighborhood character, and provides economic and environmental benefits.

City Planning Design Review Process

If an applicant participates in a Pre-Application Meeting, preliminary design review comments may be documented in the meeting notes. If a Pre-Application Meeting has not been held, City Planning Design Review staff will evaluate the submitted materials using the Urban Design Targets established by City Planning after a OneStopPGH permit application is filed.

Following this initial review, City Planning staff will determine whether additional design review is warranted. Some projects may proceed through the internal Staff Design Review process, during which City Planning staff meet to discuss applications. When further evaluation would be beneficial, projects are referred to the Contextual Design Advisory Panel (CDAP) for review. For projects recommended for CDAP review, please refer to the Contextual Design Advisory Panel Process Guide.

Urban Design Targets

The Department of City Planning has developed a list of Urban Design Targets (UDTs).  

The targets are broad and not prescriptive, intending to highlight important issues related to architecture and urban design. Urban Design Targets serve as stable benchmarks as the project moves through the development review process.  

If a project eligible for Design Review has a Pre-Application Meeting, Design Review Staff will issue Urban Design Targets which will be included in the notes sent after the Pre-Application Meeting. These UDTs are general goals for a project and should be taken into consideration early in the design process.  

If a Pre-Application Meeting does not take place, UDTs will be sent with the initial feedback to the Building Development Application (BDA). 

THE BLOCK 

Looking at the project at the broadest level, these targets focus on universal design, walkability, and connecting neighborhoods: 

  • Project connects seamlessly to the surrounding area physically and visually, considering both the existing and the proposed context.  

  • Project creates and activates a high-quality pedestrian and public realm with sufficiently sized sidewalks to facilitate safe, unimpeded pedestrian movement and create a sense of place.  

THE SITE 

These targets focus on foundational elements of urban design: 

  • Design prioritizes building frontages on primary streets, placing accessory uses, like parking and loading, behind the building.  

  • If located on a corner lot, design addresses both street frontages.  

  • Site design considers universal design to accommodate users of all abilities.  

  • Projects uses native and regional species to promote diversity, support urban bird populations and wildlife, and to grow Pittsburgh’s tree canopy.  

THE BUILDING 

These targets focus on the scale of the building and its relationship to the public realm: 

  • Project utilizes durable building and screening materials. 

  • Project emphasizes primary entrances as visually distinct and prominent elements of the overall design.  

  • Project incorporates active uses and transparency on the ground floor of primary elevations.  

  • Building elevations are designed with a cohesive architectural language.  

  • Project employs articulation, detailing and secondary architectural elements to create depth, add visual interest, and break up blank façades. 


Projects That Require Design Review

Pittsburgh's Zoning Code requires design review for many types of projects, based on size and zoning district. All projects requiring Site Plan Review and a Development Review Application must undergo design review. Specifically, these projects include:

  • New and renovated commercial construction
  • New residential construction of four or more units
  • Site Plan Review, Project Development Plan review, and Final Land Development Plans
  • Projects located in the Golden Triangle Zoning Districts
  • Projects required by the Zoning Administrator


Reference Material

Your proposed project may have design guidelines or review criteria as part of an adopted Neighborhood Plan or Zoning District:


Submission Requirements

The materials required to start design review depend on the scope and size of the project. For example, exterior alterations of an existing building may not require perspectives or renderings. Please submit as much as possible of the following items with your application on OneStopPGH:

  • Written Project Summary
  • Location Map with street names labeled
  • Site Plan
  • Photos of neighboring context with labels
  • Proposed elevations with materials labeled
  • Landscaping plan with materials and species labeled
  • Furnishings and Site Amenities
  • Perspectives and renderings showing the project in context
  • Sidewalk level perspectives
  • Massing studies 

 

 

last updated: 11/10/2025

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