COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMIT PLI Home DEPARTMENT MENU Commercial Permits Permit Process Permits PLI Links Commercial Building Permit A commercial building permit is required for the following work on a commercial building or structure: Renovate and repair an existing building or structure Construct an addition to an existing building or structure Construct a new structure or accessory structure. Please see Permit Home for the definition of commercial structures and work types. Please see work not requiring a permit for work that can be performed without a PLI permit. Please visit our Contacts page for Construction Inspector contact information. Over the counter applications will require a Commercial Building Permit Application. Accessory Structure An accessory structure is a smaller normally un-occupied structure that is associated with a structure that serves as the primary use of the property. Accessory structures include, but are not limited to fences, pools, decks, sheds, garages, etc. New Construction Work Type: New Building Complete: applies to the complete construction of a new building or structure under a single building permit. New Building Phased: applies to the construction of a new building or structure under separate permits for each phase. For example, separate permits for each: foundation, superstructure, building shell, building core, and fit-out. The scope of each phased permit is up to the applicant to define. Please note that permit holders proceed at their own risk with phased permits with no assurance that PLI will grant a permit for the entire structure. Site Work: applies to modifications to the site beyond those directly associated with the construction of the building. This would exclude excavation for the foundation. Accessory Structure – applies to the construction of accessory structures in association with the primary building or structure. Addition / Alteration Work Type: Addition: applies to modifications of an existing structure which either increases the area or the volume of the building or structure. Alterations – Exterior: applies to any modification to the exterior of the structure which is not a Minor Alteration or is associated with the construction of an addition or accessory structure. Alterations – Interior: applies to any modification to the interior of the structure which is not a Minor Alteration or is associated with the construction of an addition or accessory structure. Accessory Structure: applies to the construction of a new accessory structure or modifications to an existing structure that is accessory to an existing primary building or structure. Minor Alteration Work Type: Interior minor alterations, items 4-6 below, are only applicable to structures with a valid Certificate of Occupancy. Any applications that are not limited to the items listed below shall require an addition/alteration work type permit. Roofing: applies to repair and/or removal and replacement of roofing and excludes any modifications of roof framing. Siding/Single Layer Veneer: applies to repair and/or replacement of siding and/or single layer veneer for structures that are 3 stories or less in height; excludes any modification of framing or structural support. Window Replacement: applies to window repair and/or replacement for structures that are 3 stories or less in height; excludes storefronts and doors. Drywall/Plaster Repair/Replacement: applies to repair and/or replacement of drywall and/or plaster and excludes any modification to framing. Ceiling Repair/Replacement: applies to ceiling repair and/or replacement and excludes any modification to framing. Interior Non-Structural Demo: applies to the interior non-structural demo and excludes installation of any new walls/doors. An addition/alteration work type permit shall be required for fit-out and/or installation of any new walls/doors. Permit Process See these webpages for additional information regarding the permitting process: Application Submission Application Review All Work Types other than Minor Alterations require submission of drawings to OneStopPGH Permit Issuance Permit Inspections Permit Completion Please see Other Agency Coordination for processes related to other agencies that may relate to your permit scope. For commercial building permits: Zoning Development Review application submission is required for the following: New Construction Work Type for all work scopes Addition / Alteration Work Type with these work scopes: Addition Alterations – Exterior Accessory Structure Work that includes a change in use or certification of a new use. Or any work scope if the property is located in a regulated floodplain. Minor Work Type with this work scope: Level 1 Alterations Only - Exterior Or any work scope if the property is located in a regulated floodplain. Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) Required for if work includes vehicle access onto the subject site or encroachments into the public right of way such as accessible ramps at building entrances, balconies, or decks. PA Department of Health (DOH) Required for a structure regulated by the PA Health Care Facilities Act. Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) Required for new plumbing systems and may be required for modifications to existing plumbing systems. PA Department of Community and Economic Development Required for any pre-fabricated modules or components used as part of the permitted scope for a building or structure that is classified as a Group R occupancy. Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Required for new structures to review: fire apparatus access roads, fire flows, fire command center (if required), and emergency responder radio coverage. CITY INFORMATION City Directory Open Gov Portal Policies Press Releases Website Release Notes Accessibility POPULAR SERVICES 311 Contract Bids Dog Licenses Online Shelter Permit Tax Info OneStopPGH CITY HALL Boards, Authorities, Commissions City Clerk's Office City Council Controller's Office Mayor's Office Public Safety CONNECT WITH US Facebook Twitter YouTube Social Media Hub City of Pittsburgh City-County Building, 414 Grant St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Translate English Arabic Chinese Croatian French German Hindi Italian Japanese Korean Portuguese Russian Spanish Hebrew Ukrainian Vietnamese Armenian Latin Nepali Sudanese