Once you have access to your vacant lot, you may need to get approval for work you plan to do on the lot. The approval process depends on the owner of the lot and where your lot is located. To find out what you need to do, read the section below that applies to your lot.
Owner: City of Pittsburgh
Art Commission Approval
The Art Commission will need to review any projects that have public art components incorporated. The Open Space Specialist will help you to determine if you need to get approval through Art Commission.
It is important to note that the Art Commission meets monthly and materials need to be submitted 2 weeks in advance. It is expected that you present to the Commission during a scheduled meeting which take place mid morning on the fourth Wednesday of the month. To learn more about the Art Commission, follow this link: www.pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/boards/art-commission
Engineering and Construction Approval
If there is a plan to put a structure on the lot, you will need to go through the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections for a permit. Follow this link to find permits specific to your project plans: https://pittsburghpa.gov/pli/pli-permits
Zoning Approval
As you go through the site access process with the City’s Open Space Specialist, the Zoning Board will be contacted to make sure that your project fits within the zoning code.
Union Approval
As you go through the site access process with the City’s Open Space Specialist, the Union will be contacted to make sure that your project is approved.
Public Works Approval
As you go through the site access process with the City’s Open Space Specialist, the Department of Public Works will be contacted to make sure that your project is approved.
Other lots in the City of Pittsburgh
Engineering and Construction Approval
If there is a plan to put a structure on the lot, you will need to go through the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections for a permit. Follow this link to find permits specific to your project plans: www.pittsburghpa.gov/pli/permits
Zoning Approval
Take a look at the Zoning Approval Process of the website for the City of Pittsburgh to see what will need to be approved. (Examples include fences, decks, and signs.)
Owner: Other Municipality
Contact the municipality’s Planning Department or Public Works Department to learn about anything that will need to be approved for your vacant lot project.