City of Pittsburgh, Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections L

Published on December 19, 2024

City of Pittsburgh, Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections Launch Residential Housing Rental Permit Program 

The new program aims to improve health and safety standards for rental housing 

Pittsburgh, PA – Today, the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI) launched the Residential Housing Rental Permit Program, an initiative designed to ensure rental properties in Pittsburgh meet basic health and safety standards. Following previous attempts to establish similar programs and years of advocacy by countless community stakeholders, the program is advancing thanks to the passage of Ordinance 2022-0270 in 2023, which amended the Pittsburgh City Code to require permits for rental units. 

With Pittsburgh being home to a significant population of renters, this program seeks to protect residents by ensuring that landlords provide safe, healthy living conditions. 

"Pittsburgh is a majority renter city and programs like these are essential," said Mayor Ed Gainey. "Rental Registration is a critical step to ensuring that all of our residents have access to housing that is healthy and safe, and that we are holding property owners to a common standard.  Thank you to the work of so many partners over the years that helped in getting us to today." 

Key Program Details 

• Voluntary Period: Rental unit owners can voluntarily comply with the program until June 1, 2025.  After this date, PLI will begin enforcement actions for owners who do not hold a valid rental permit. 
• How to Register: Property owners or their agents can register rental units through the OneStopPGH portal (onestoppgh.pittsburghpa.gov) or in person at the OneStopPGH counter, located on the first floor of 412 Boulevard of the Allies. 

  2024 Permit Fees 

  The program includes the following fees for registration and inspection: 

• $16.00 per rental unit for registration 
• $5.50 per rental unit for inspection 
• $14.00 per dwelling or sleeping unit for inspection 

  Example: For an apartment building with four units, the total cost for registration and inspection would be $77.50. The annual renewal fee after passing inspection is $16.00 per unit. 

  Draft Inspection Checklist Open for Public Comment 

  PLI has released a draft inspection checklist for public feedback. Comments will be accepted until January 17, 2025 through the online feedback form. PLI will review the feedback and finalize the checklist by January 31, 2025, after which the final checklist will be posted on the PLI website. 

  Next Steps for Landlords and Property Owners: 

• Submit Registration: Use the OneStopPGH portal to register. 
• Review the Checklist: Provide input on the draft inspection checklist by January 17, 2024. 

For more information or to register a rental property, visit the OneStopPGH portal or contact PLI directly. 

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