February 28, 2023 City Council Passed

What is this proposal?

This proposal would require new construction or renovation projects that produce 20 or more units (for sale or for rent) in Oakland to price 10% of those units affordably.

The Inclusionary Zoning Overlay District would not apply to renovation or construction of less than 20 housing units

Map of proposed Inclusionary Zoning boundary in Oakland

Why did I get a postcard?

You received a postcard because you own property in Oakland OR because you own property within 150 feet of the neighborhood. We are required by law to inform property owners within this radius of any proposed zoning changes.

What is a Zoning Overlay District (IZ-O)?

A Zoning Overlay District is applied to a specific geographic area of the City. It DOES NOT change an area's base zoning. It DOES provide additional zoning controls in a specific area where existing zoning doesn't provide sufficient standards for the area's current activities.

What is Inclusionary Zoning?

Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) ensures neighborhoods can offer new housing units at a variety of price points by tying the construction of affordable housing to that of market-rate housing.

IZ is used in a variety of cities across the country and was identified by Pittsburgh's Affordable Housing Task Force to address the City's shortage of affordable dwelling units.

Pittsburgh's first permanent Inclusionary Housing Overlay District was adopted in Lawrenceville in 2021, after two years as a temporary measure. Additionally, an Inclusionary Housing Overlay District is currently moving through the legislative process for Polish Hill and Bloomfield.

Where can I read the IZ Overlay District zoning text?

You can find the zoning text here. Please note that the text states the boundaries of the Overlay District are Lawrenceville (Upper, Central, Lower). The boundaries will be updated once the District has been approved by Council for other neighborhoods

How does the IZ-O work?

The IZ-O requires new or renovating residential developments of 20+ units to make 10% percent of the units affordable to low-income households.

Is Inclusionary Zoning new for Pittsburgh?

No. In 2019, with the partnership of District 7 Councilwoman, Deb Gross, and Lawrenceville community organizations, the City piloted the Inclusionary Housing Interim Planning Overlay District (IPOD-6) in Lawrenceville. This IPOD was a temporary tool to ensure that the neighborhood would continue to be one of choice for people with a variety of incomes. Since its adoption in September 2019, the IPOD-6 has been responsible for the creation of 40 affordably priced housing units.

The Inclusionary Housing Overlay District was made permanent in 2021. Later in 2021, community groups in Polish Hill and Bloomfield requested that the District be applied in their neighborhoods. The measure is currently working its way through the legislative process and will be voted on by Council later in 2022.

Additionally, Pittsburgh has incentivized inclusionary zoning in its Uptown and Riverfront neighborhoods. In these districts, developers can increase building height or build closer to the river by including affordably priced dwelling units.

What do you mean by "Affordable Housing"?

Rent or Sale prices are based at certain percentages of the Area Median Income (AMI), which is defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Department and varies by household size. Inclusionary rental units will be set aside for households earning no more than 50% of AMI. Inclusionary for-sale units will be set aside for households earning no more than 80% of AMI. Inclusionary units will be priced at no more than 30% of income, based on these AMI standards.

Pittsburgh MSA Area Median Income by Household Size
(2021 Values, will be updated when HUD releases 2022 Values)


1 person2 person3 person4 person
50% AMI
$29,700$33,950$38,200$42,400
80% AMI$47,520$54,320$61,120$67,840


Monthly Rental Unit Cost by Household AMI and Unit Size
(2021 Values, will be updated when HUD releases 2022 Values)

Studio / Efficiency1 Bedroom2 Bedroom3 Bedroom
50% AMI$742$795$955$1,102

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Inclusionary Zoning - What do you think?

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