Are you trying to apply for a Residential Parking Permit? Visit the Pittsburgh Parking Authority’s site, linked here, to apply online, or learn more about how to apply by mail or in-person.

Background

The Residential Parking Permit (RPP) Program is used to preserve resident parking in areas in close proximity to commercial zones.

In designated RPP zones, residents must purchase a permit to park on the street for an extended period of time. Visitor passes are available for residents in an RPP zone to access and share without purchasing an annual permit.

Non-residents are permitted to park in RPP areas for a limited time, as designated by signs in the zone. RPP does not guarantee anyone a parking space on their street or near their home.

The City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) is responsible, along with City Council, for creating new and evaluating existing zones while the Pittsburgh Parking Authority (PPA) issues permits and enforces regulations. Content on this page reflects the City’s, and particularly DOMI's, role in RPP, including soliciting feedback on new zones or changes to existing zones.

For more information on purchasing a permit, visit PPA’s website, linked here.

Map of Existing RPP Zones

Click this link to view this map full-screen in a new tab.

RPP Zone Changes Under Review

RPP Zone X - https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=F3n09QTJaEORINMnzxdVkV2JCyzDiY5Os1p1MFyJuilUNVVNRlBUVVJDODhMT1IxTFdWSktQWVdZVS4u

FAQ

New RPP Areas

The creation of a new RPP area can be initiated in four ways:

  1. An adopted neighborhood plan may identify a new RPP area.
  2. Residents may submit a petition to DOMI that demonstrates 70% of households in the proposed area desire the creation of an RPP area.
  3. At the request of the City Council member.
  4. At DOMI’s discretion

After the process is initiated, there are five major steps to create a new RPP area.:

  1. DOMI conducts a Parking Study
  2. DOMI develops a Parking Management Plan
    1. This includes the proposed boundaries of the RPP area, hours of enforcement, grace period, and any other related regulations.
  3. DOMI initiates a community engagement process, including a community meeting and posting the proposed Parking Management Plan on EngagePGH
  4. DOMI presents the Parking Management Plan to Planning Commission for review and recommendations
  5. If Planning Commission recommends the Parking Management Plan, DOMI presents the plan and related legislation to City Council for approval.

A parking study is used to determine the ratio of non-resident to resident parking, total utilization of parking spaces, availability of off-street parking, and turnover in an area. Multiple parking studies may be completed at various times and days to capture a representative sample of parking behavior in the area.

There are five key criteria an area must meet to be eligible for RPP:

  1. Residents in the area are supportive of the implementation of RPP
  2. Parking spaces in the area are highly utilized during the proposed enforcement hours
  3. At least 15% of vehicles parked in the area are non-resident vehicles
  4. There is not enough off-street parking available to accommodate demand
  5. At least 75% of on-street parking spaces are utilized during peak periods

A Parking Management Plan includes the boundaries of the proposed RPP area, the hours of enforcement, the grace period, and if any portion of the area is a Hybrid Zone (see below for “What is a Hybrid Zone?”).

Community engagement is key at every step of the process. During the development of a Parking Management Plan, DOMI will hold at least one community meeting soliciting feedback on the proposal. Residents may also provide testimony at public hearings, such as Planning Commission and City Council.

Existing RPP Areas

Changes to the hours of enforcement or grace period are considered amendments. Amendments require an updated parking study and a petition of signatures representing the majority those living within the area.

Hybrid RPP areas can be created for new or existing parking permit areas. This designation would occur during the RPP creation process or as a result of RPP amendment.

Minor expansions require a parking study and a street(s) that is contiguous to an existing residential permit parking area. The potential streets cannot have more than one hundred (100) on-street parking spaces or make up more than ten (10) block faces.

Reducing or eliminating an existing RPP area requires an updated parking study which shows the area is not likely to be impacted by commuter vehicles if the proposed changes are approved. The remaining residents are likely to request fifty (50) permits annually.

General Questions

A hybrid RPP area is a combination between residential and metered parking. Any motor vehicle that does not have the corresponding residential parking permit would be required to pay for parking. The parking meter rate within a hybrid RPP area will not exceed the closest metered parking zone.