Pittsburgh Zoning Districts - R-MU Uses
By Carolyn Ristau
Uses
Zoning districts regulate what uses are permitted through what approval paths. Any use not listed in the following four categories below would require a use variance from the zoning board to proceed, unless the zoning administrator determines it is a use-not-listed that can be reviewed by staff.
As of April 2025, the online version of the use table identifies the following uses as allowable in the R-MU (Residential Mixed Use) zoning district. Note: Whenever there is a code amendment it often takes months for the online version to be updated. Zoning staff have access to the most recent code amendments, which can also be found on the city’s online legislation center.
Permitted-by-Right (P)
Uses that are permitted-by-right are designated by a P in the use table. These uses can be approved administratively by staff and were often referred to as “over-the-counter” under the in-person, paper submittal process. (As this is Pittsburgh, the phrase will likely stick for some time even now that the online submittal process has essentially done away with the counter.)
Note: Permitted-by-right is permitted only provided that all applicable zoning code regulations are met, not just the use standards.
Single-Unit Detached Residential
Single-Unit Attached Residential
Two-Unit Residential
Three-Unit Residential
Multi-Unit Residential
Multi-Suite Residential (Limited & General)
Amusement Arcade
Animal Care (Limited)
Art or Music Studio
Bank or Financial Institution (Limited)
Bed and Breakfast (Limited & General)
Child Care (Limited & General)
Cultural Service (Limited)
Grocery Story (Limited)
Hotel/Motel (Limited)
Library (Limited)
Medical Marijuana Dispensary
Medical Office/Clinic (Limited)
Office (Limited)
Parks and Recreation (Limited & General)
Recreation and Entertainment, Indoor (Limited)
Religious Assembly (Limited & General)
Restaurant (Limited)
Retail Sales and Service (Limited)
Administrator Exception (A)
Uses that are permitted through the administrator exception process are designated by an A in the use table. The administrator exception process is reviewed by staff but involves a posted notice on the property and additional fees. It usually requires more documentation than the permitted-by-right process.
Assisted Living Class A
Housing for Elderly (Limited)
Personal Care Residence (Small)
Community Center (Limited & General)
Hotel/Motel (General)
Recycling Collection Station
Safety Service
Utility (Limited)
Special Exception (S)
Uses that are permitted through the special exception process are designated by an S in the use table. The special exception process is reviewed by the Zoning Board of Adjustment and involves a posted notice, public hearing, and additional fees. For each special exception, there are specific criteria listed in the zoning code that must be met before the zoning board can approve the proposal.
Assisted Living Class B & C
Community Home
Housing for the Elderly (General)
Personal Care Residence (Large)
Communication Tower, Class A & B
Outdoor Retail Sales and Service
Parking Structure (Limited)
Restaurant (General)
School, Elementary or Secondary (Limited)
Vocational School (Limited)
Conditional Use (C)
Uses that are permitted through the conditional use process are designated by a C in the use table. The conditional use process is reviewed by the Planning Commission, which then makes a recommendation to City Council which is the approving body. There are multiple posted notices, multiple public hearings, and additional fees.
Communication Tower, Class C
Custodial Care Facility
Excavation/Grading/Fill, Major
School, Elementary or Secondary (General)
Transit Facility
Utility (General)
For Additional Information:
See our overview of the R-MU for more about this district and our Introduction to Pittsburgh’s Zoning Districts for the complete list of base zoning districts in the city.
Need More Help?
Visit our Pittsburgh Zoning Services page to request one or more of the following services:
a 30- or 60-minute Zoning On-Call virtual meeting to ask your specific questions about Pittsburgh’s zoning ordinance.
a Use Restrictions & Zoning Report to check for any potential use and zoning issues on a property you want to buy.
a Zoning Plan Check to preemptively resolve or accommodate zoning issues that may otherwise cause unexpected delays or cost overruns during the permitting process.
