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Own rentals in Pittsburgh? 2026 won’t run on autopilot. The City’s Residential Housing Rental Permit Program is live, with full enforcement coming after at least 30 days’ notice.
Today, registration is still voluntary, but the clock is quietly ticking. A clean inspection means uninterrupted rent, fewer emergency repairs, and fewer headaches when the notice drops.
This checklist shows precisely how to prepare, what inspectors look for, the fastest fixes, and the pitfalls that trigger re-inspections, so you can stay cash-flowing while everyone else scrambles.
2026: What’s the Status Right Now
Pittsburgh’s Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI) launched Pittsburgh’s Residential Housing Rental Permit Program on December 19, 2024. For now, participation is voluntary: the City isn’t issuing penalties, and fees you pay today will be credited once full enforcement begins.
Don’t mistake “voluntary” for “optional.” The City can flip to enforcement with at least 30 days’ notice, and operating without a permit at that point can bring violations and delays.
Use this window to register, address safety items, and pass the first inspection on your schedule, not the City’s. The landlords who prepare now keep rents flowing while everyone else scrambles.
Make Your Place Inspection-Ready: Plain-English Checklist
Use PLI’s checklist to self-audit against the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), a national baseline Pittsburgh uses to set minimum safety and upkeep standards.
Outside: Post precise house numbers; keep walls, foundation, roof, gutters, and downspouts sound with drainage to an approved spot; fix loose steps and tripping hazards on walks/porches.
Inside: Ensure safe exits and operable windows; install handrails where required; provide adequate light and ventilation; keep common halls lit in buildings with 3+ units.
Systems: Minimum 60-amp electrical service; no exposed wiring; heat that holds 68°F during heating season; leak-free plumbing with hot water; dryer vented outdoors; smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on each level; CO alarms where fuel-burning equipment or an attached garage exists.
Lead Safety for Pre-1978 Rentals
If your rental was built before 1978, assume lead paint is present. Pittsburgh’s Lead Safety Law links a lead inspection to your rental permit for older homes. Keep surfaces intact; fix peeling paint quickly.
Suppose you disturb painted surfaces, such as during repairs, sanding, or window work. In that case, you must follow the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule: hire an EPA-certified firm or obtain your own certification before work starts. Keep clearance test results and all certificates with your rental records.
Inspection Timing & Renewals
Pass your inspection and you’ll get a Non-provisional Rental Permit valid for three years. During that time, PLI doesn’t require another permit inspection, but you must renew your rental registration every year.
The City can also schedule inspections as needed and is authorized to check each registered unit at least once every three years. Plan accordingly: annual paperwork, steady upkeep, and a complete code check about every three years.
Short-Term Rentals Are Included
Airbnb, Vrbo, and similar homestays are treated as rental units under the City’s program. They must meet the same safety rules (alarms, egress, heating), pass inspections, and keep the same paperwork and permits as long-term rentals. Don’t skip registration just because the stays are brief.
FAQ
Do owner-occupied duplexes need permits? The rental unit does; the owner-occupied unit is generally fee-exempt under PLI rules. Check current guidance before filing.
How often are inspections? A Non-provisional permit is valid for three years; PLI is authorized to inspect registered units at least once every three years.
Are short-term rentals covered? Yes. Homestays/experiences are explicitly included.
Be Inspection-Ready Before the Notice Drops
Compliance isn’t busywork; it’s risk control and rent protection. Get the basics locked now: working alarms and heat, clear egress, safe wiring and plumbing, solid exteriors, tidy records, and lead-safe practices in pre-1978 homes. Do it on your timeline, not the City’s.
DeSantis Property Management’s White-Glove Compliance handles the whole pipeline, PLI registration, scheduling, pre-checks, certified repairs (including EPA lead work), and audit-ready paperwork. So your units pass on the first knock and stay cash-flowing.
Book a quick consult today and turn inspections from a surprise into a non-event.
Additional Resources
Take the Guesswork Out of Rent Collection: Smarter Systems for Pittsburgh Landlords
Complete Guide to Allegheny County Property Taxes for Rental Property Owners
