What are minimum lot size and minimum lot size per unit?

• Minimum lot size is the smallest lot area permitted for a development in a residential zoning district. For example, in the Residential High Density Subdistrict, the minimum lot size by right is 1,800 square feet meaning that to build a new house in this zone, the lot must have at least 1,800 square feet in area.

• Minimum lot size per unit is the minimum lot area needed for the development of a residential unit and determines the level of density permitted. For example, in the Residential High Density Subdistrict, the minimum lot size per unit is 750 square feet. So for a lot size of 1,800 square feet, only two units would currently be permitted.

• The current minimum lot size per unit requirements create challenges to the development of housing types. For example, in the R2-M zone

• (Residential Two-Unit), the minimum lot size is 3,200 square feet and the minimum lot size per unit is 1,800 square feet. The result is that a duplex would not be able to be built on a lot that is 3,200 square feet without a variance even though a duplex is permitted by-right and the property meets the minimum lot size requirement.

Remove minimum lot size per unit and reduce the minimum lot size requirements in the Moderate-, High-, and Very High-density residential subdistricts.

• Residential Moderate Density District
  • No minimum lot size per unit
    
  • Minimum lot size reduced from 3,200 square feet to 2,400 square feet
• Residential High Density District

• No minimum lot size per unit

• Minimum lot size reduced from 1,800 square feet to 1,200 square feet

• Residential Very High-Density District

• No minimum lot size per unit

• No minimum lot size

• Maximum height 180 feet (RM-VH)

• Minimum lot size requirements have historically been a tool of exclusionary zoning intended to prevent lower-income households from being able to live in certain neighborhoods.

• Large minimum lot size requirements drive up the cost of housing by requiring more land to build the same number of homes.

• Minimum lot size per unit requirements work similar to minimum lot size requirements by artificially capping the number of units that can be built in multi-unit developments.

• Much of Pittsburgh’s older multi-unit housing stock would not be able to be built today under the minimum lot size per unit caps.

• Removing this artificial density cap would allow more multi-unit developments to be built, increasing the supply of housing and helping to lower the cost of housing. Other bulk requirements are still in place such as height and setback requirements.