Certificate of Occupancy — City of Pittsburgh
A Pittsburgh Certificate of Occupancy certifies the space conforms with the Zoning and Building Codes for a restaurant use.
What it is. The Certificate of Occupancy (Occupancy Permit) certifying the building conforms with the applicable Zoning Code and Building Codes. If the current use differs from the existing CofO (e.g., retail to restaurant), you must apply for a new Occupancy Permit.
Who issues it. City of Pittsburgh — Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI) (City layer).
When you need it. On a change of use and to legally occupy for the restaurant use.
How to apply. Apply through PLI (OneStopPGH); pass inspections and obtain final approval.
Fees. Per the PLI schedule — see source (⟢ VERIFY).
What SpoonSeal tracks. The document(s) you upload for this requirement, with automatic renewal/expiration tracking (Current, Due Soon, Expired). Where the city publishes health-inspection results (e.g., NYC and Chicago), SpoonSeal syncs them automatically; elsewhere they can be added manually.
References
- City of Pittsburgh, PLI — Certificate of Occupancy — https://pittsburghpa.gov/pli/cert-occupancy — Official source last checked: 2026-07-02
Stay ahead of this requirement
SpoonSeal stores your documents, tracks expirations, and reminds you before anything lapses — so you are always inspection-ready.
Get started free →This guide is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with the official agency linked above.