What's Required in Pittsburgh
- Every deck requires a Building and Development Application in OneStopPGH or at the counter at 412 Blvd. of the Allies.
- Uncovered decks 30 inches or less above grade get zoning review only but need a site plan stamped by a PA-licensed architect, engineer or surveyor.
- Uncovered decks over 30 inches and up to 8 feet need structural drawings or PLI's Residential Deck Application built to AWC DCA 6.
- DCA 6 decks require posts of at least 6x6.
- Covered decks and decks over 8 feet need construction drawings stamped by a PA-licensed architect or engineer.
- Ledger boards may not be attached on or through brick veneer.
- Zoning review costs $1 per $1,000 with a $50 minimum; PLI review adds $6 per $1,000 with a $130 minimum plus fixed fees.
- Renovations at rental or investment 1-2 family homes need a city General Contractor license or a PA HIC registration.
Do You Need a Permit to Build a Deck in Pittsburgh?
Yes, in one form or another. PLI's Building and Development Application page says it plainly: building any deck requires a Building and Development Application (BDA), filed in OneStopPGH or at the counter at 412 Blvd. of the Allies. What changes with height is who reviews it. An uncovered deck whose floor is no more than 30 inches above grade needs no building permit under Pennsylvania's code or PLI's deck page, but it still needs zoning approval. Any other deck needs a building permit and PLI review as well.
The paperwork also scales with height. Even the low, zoning-only deck needs a site plan stamped by a PA-licensed architect, engineer or surveyor, though generally no construction drawings. An uncovered deck above 30 inches but no more than 8 feet from grade to deck surface needs that stamped site plan plus either structural drawings or PLI's Residential Deck Application, which attests that you are building to the American Wood Council's DCA 6 prescriptive guide (minimum 6x6 posts). Covered decks, and decks higher than 8 feet, need construction drawings stamped by a PA-licensed architect or engineer. PLI's deck form also notes that a ledger may not be attached on or through brick veneer, which matters on a lot of Pittsburgh houses.
Pittsburgh Deck Permit Rules by Scenario
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Uncovered deck 30 in or less above grade | BDA, zoning review only, stamped site plan | PLI deck page; BDA page |
| Uncovered deck over 30 in and up to 8 ft | BDA with building permit; drawings or DCA 6 deck form | BDA page; Residential Deck Application |
| Covered deck or deck over 8 ft | BDA with stamped construction drawings | BDA page |
| Attaching a ledger to a brick veneer wall | Not permitted | PLI Residential Deck Application |
| Deck in a historic district | Zoning review of exterior work; not EZ eligible | PLI zoning-only list |
| Deck at a rental 1-2 family home | Licensed city general contractor or PA HIC | PLI contractor licensing |
How Much Does a Deck Permit Cost in Pittsburgh?
A zoning-only deck pays the residential zoning review fee, $1.00 per $1,000 with a $50 minimum, so most low decks pay $50 in city fees. The stamped site plan is a professional cost on top. A raised deck adds PLI's 2026 residential base fee of $6.00 per $1,000, minimum $130, a $4.50 state training fund fee, a $5.00 digital record retention fee and a technology fee ($2 when the base fee is $200 or less, $5 up to $1,000). A $15,000 deck pays the minimums: $130 + $2 + $4.50 + $5 + $50 = $191.50. A $40,000 deck pays a $240 base fee: $240 + $5 + $4.50 + $5 + $50 = $304.50. Forty percent of the base fee is due, non-refundable, when you apply, and PLI's fee schedule no longer charges a separate certificate of occupancy fee on permits with real construction scope. Those are PLI's residential rates; its permitting page puts attached single- and two-family dwellings in the commercial category, where the minimum base fee is $605, so confirm which category the portal assigns your house.
Can You Build a Deck Yourself in Pittsburgh?
Yes, at your own primary residence. PLI's deck application offers two boxes: the property owner self-performing work at a primary residence, or a licensed general contractor. The city requires a General Contractor license for renovations and additions to one- or two-family homes that are rental or investment property, and accepts a Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor registration in its place. Standard reviews take 15 to 30 business days, according to PLI's EZ permit page.
How to Get a Deck Permit in Pittsburgh
Measure deck height
Measure from grade to the deck floor: 30 in or less is zoning-only, up to 8 ft can use the DCA 6 form, covered or higher decks need stamped drawings.
Get the stamped site plan
Have a PA-licensed architect, engineer or surveyor stamp a site plan, and prepare drawings or the Residential Deck Application if the deck is raised.
File the BDA
Apply in OneStopPGH with the construction value and documents; PLI and zoning review in one application, typically within 15 to 30 business days.
Pay and receive the permit
Forty percent of the PLI base fee is due at application and the rest at issuance, plus the zoning review fee.
Build and schedule inspections
Request inspections through OneStopPGH as the work proceeds and keep the approved documents on site.