Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections
Section 22 · Pages 138–145 · 4 tables · includes narrative
Positions (FTE)
109-12
Content
4 tables· 8 pg
Key changes
- Reduces by 12 positions (121 → 109 FTE)
On this page
Page 138
Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections
Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections
Page 139
Figure
Page 140
Mission
The Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections’ mission is to improve residents’ quality of life by increasing the safety of the built environment.
Departmental/Bureau Overview
The Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI) regulates development, maintenance of existing buildings and property, and business and trade licenses. PLI is organized into four divisions.
Construction Division
The construction division regulates:
- Development on a parcel including the construction, demolition, renovation, and occupancy of buildings and structures and site work per the building code requirements of the Pittsburgh City Code (PCC) Title 10 Building Code.
- Development within the public right of way including building elements such as handicap ramps that project or extend into the public right of way and occupiable structures located in the public right of way per the building code requirements of the PCC Title 10 Building Code.
- Installation and alteration of building systems per the building code requirements of the PCC Title 10 Building Code except for plumbing systems regulated by Allegheny County Health Department’s Article XV Plumbing Code.
- Installation of stormwater infrastructure on a parcel per PCC Title 13 Stormwater Management.
- Development enforcement on behalf of the Department of City Planning (DCP) per PCC Title 9 Zoning and Title 11 Historic Preservation. The construction division duties are:
- Reviewing development design.
- Issuing permits to authorize development.
- Inspecting development installations.
- Enforcing development regulations.
- Issuing certificates of occupancy to document legal use of buildings and property. Code Enforcement Division The code enforcement division regulates:
- Maintenance of buildings, structures, and property per the property maintenance code requirements of the PCC Title 10 Building Code.
- Maintenance of fire and life safety systems per the fire code requirements of the PCC Title 10 Building Code.
- Development enforcement on behalf of the DCP per PCC Title 9 Zoning and Title 11 Historic Preservation.
- Business licenses per PCC Title 7 Business Licenses. The code enforcement division duties are:
- Enforcing property maintenance and fire code regulations.
- Condemning unsafe buildings, property, and equipment.
- Enforcing business licensing codes.
- Enforcing development regulations.
- Remediating blight through city-funded demolition of condemned buildings. Licensing and Administration Division The licensing and administration division:
- Regulates business and trade licenses per PCC Title 7 Business Licenses.
- Performs PLI administrative functions.
Page 141
The licensing and administration division duties are:
- Administering PLI finances and accounting.
- Performing personnel functions.
- Managing PLI’s records.
- Administering business and trade licenses.
- In taking and issuing development applications (PLI and DCP).
- Managing certification and training employees. Systems Operation Division The systems operations division maintains, updates, and enhances PLI’s systems (development, license, enforcement, record management, finance, and accounting) and analyzes operational data and customer needs. The systems operations division duties are:
- Aligning technology and systems to meet the operational needs of the other PLI divisions.
- Managing projects to update or enhance PLI’s development, license, enforcement, record management, finance, and accounting systems.
- Streamlining processes to meet customer demands and maximize revenue.
- Analyzing operational data and customer needs to support PLI leadership decision making.
- Publishing data to foster public transparency of PLI operations.
- Collaborating and coordinating on a cross-agency basis to make holistic improvements to the OneStopPGH system. 2026 Accomplishments
- Advanced Permitting Reform: Implemented Phase 1 of permitting reform including EZ Permits, Virtual Inspections, and a new pre-application workflow for large, complex projects
- Advanced City-Funded Demolition Efforts: Completed more than 70 city-funded demolitions, with 46 additional demolitions currently underway and more than 150 demolitions projected to be under contract by the end of 2026.
- Implemented Updated Construction Code Requirements: Implemented the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Act’s new triennial code cycle through staff training, resource development , and integration of revised regulatory requirements into departmental operations.
- Launched the New Modernized Mobile Vending Program: Implemented a modernized vending program in collaboration with the Department of City Planning, the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure, and other City departments.
- Strengthened Zoning Enforcement Collaboration: Partnered with the Zoning Department to support enforcement of zoning regulations, including vape shop legislation and occupancy limits.
Page 142
Position Summary
personnel
Page 4, Table 0 (p. 142 in full PDF)
Lists authorized positions with FTE counts and pay grades.
| Title | 2026 FTE | Rate/ Grade | Hours/ Months | 2026 Budget | 2027 FTE | Rate/ Grade | Hours/ Months | 2027 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | 1 | 35G | 12 | 132,995 | 1 | 35G | 12 | 136,989 |
| Licensing & Administration | ||||||||
| Assistant Director - Licensing & Administration | 1 | 32G | 12 | 114,046 | 1 | 32G | 12 | 117,458 |
| CODE Training and Development Supervisor | 1 | 27G | 12 | 93,746 | 1 | 27G | 12 | 96,554 |
| OneStopPGH Customer Service Manager | 1 | 25G | 12 | 86,008 | 2 | 25G | 12 | 177,174 |
| Department Business Administrator | 1 | 24G | 12 | 82,742 | 1 | 24G | 12 | 85,218 |
| Personnel & Finance Coordinator | 1 | 18G | 12 | 64,542 | 1 | 18G | 12 | 66,477 |
| CODE Training and Development Coordinator | 1 | 18G | 12 | 64,542 | 1 | 18G | 12 | 66,477 |
| Neighborhood Engagement Coordinator | 1 | 18G | 12 | 64,542 | 1 | 18G | 12 | 66,477 |
| Administrator 2 | 1 | 62,066 | 12 | 62,066 | 1 | 63,928 | 12 | 63,928 |
| Executive Assistant | 1 | 16G | 12 | 59,301 | 1 | 16G | 12 | 61,090 |
| Lead Technician, Permit & Licensing | 2 | 62,403 | 12 | 124,806 | 2 | 64,276 | 12 | 128,552 |
| Technician, Permit & Licensing | 10 | 57,897 | 12 | 578,970 | 10 | 59,634 | 12 | 596,340 |
| Technician, Records | 2 | 46,733 | 12 | 93,466 | 2 | 48,135 | 12 | 96,270 |
| Technician, Accounting | 2 | 48,150 | 12 | 96,300 | 2 | 49,595 | 12 | 99,190 |
| Assistant I, Administrative | 1 | 45,000 | 12 | 45,000 | 1 | 46,350 | 12 | 46,350 |
| Development Public Liaison | 1 | 18G | 12 | 64,542 | 1 | 21G | 12 | 75,462 |
| Construction | ||||||||
| Deputy Director - Construction | — | 33G | — | — | 1 | 33G | 12 | 124,446 |
| Assistant Director - Construction | 1 | 32G | 12 | 114,046 | — | 32G | — | — |
| Assistant Director - Construction Inspection | — | 32G | — | — | 1 | 32G | 12 | 117,458 |
| Assistant Director - Construction Review | — | 32G | — | — | 1 | 32G | 12 | 117,458 |
| Permitting Supervisor | 2 | 29G | 12 | 203,050 | 2 | 29G | 12 | 209,124 |
| Permitting Supervisor & Floodplain Administrator | 1 | 30G | 12 | 105,498 | 1 | 30G | 12 | 108,659 |
| Master Code Professional | 14 | 91,350 | 12 | 1,278,900 | 12 | 94,091 | 12 | 1,129,092 |
| Inspection Supervisor | 5 | 25G | 12 | 430,040 | 4 | 25G | 12 | 354,348 |
| Inspector, Combined Electrical | 7 | 69,545 | 12 | 486,815 | 6 | 71,631 | 12 | 429,786 |
| Inspector, Construction Code | 20 | 72,179 | 12 | 1,443,580 | 16 | 74,345 | 12 | 1,189,520 |
| Inspector, Combined Residential Construction | 5 | 68,787 | 12 | 343,935 | 4 | 70,851 | 12 | 283,404 |
| Inspector, Stormwater Construction | 3 | 72,179 | 12 | 216,537 | 3 | 74,345 | 12 | 223,035 |
| Systems Operations | ||||||||
| Assistant Director - Systems Operations | 1 | 32G | 12 | 114,046 | 1 | 32G | 12 | 117,458 |
| Systems Operations Supervisor | 1 | 25G | 12 | 86,008 | 1 | 25G | 12 | 88,587 |
| OneStopPGH Operations Performance Analyst | 1 | 20G | 12 | 70,200 | 1 | 20G | 12 | 72,301 |
| Project Coordinator | 1 | 18G | 12 | 64,542 | 1 | 18G | 12 | 66,477 |
| Code Enforcement | ||||||||
| Assistant Director - Code Enforcement | 1 | 32G | 12 | 114,046 | 1 | 32G | 12 | 117,458 |
| Inspection Supervisor | 4 | 25G | 12 | 344,032 | 3 | 25G | 12 | 265,761 |
| Associate Project Manager | 1 | 19G | 12 | 67,288 | 1 | 19G | 12 | 69,306 |
| Inspector, Combined Maintenance | 25 | 65,518 | 12 | 1,637,950 | 20 | 67,483 | 12 | 1,349,660 |
| Total Full-Time Permanent Positions | 121 | 8,948,127 | 109 | 8,413,344 |
Page 143
Temporary, Part-Time, and Seasonal Allowances
unknown
Page 5, Table 0 (p. 143 in full PDF)
Budget data table.
| PLI Interns | — 9.00-14.00 — | 5,000 | — 9.00-14.00 — | 5,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 5,000 | — | 5,000 | |
| Total Full-Time Permanent Positions | 121 | 8,948,127 | 109 | 8,413,344 |
| Temporary, Part-Time, and Seasonal Allowances | — | 5,000 | — | 5,000 |
| Vacancy Allowance | — | (521,979) | — | (252,131) |
| Total Full-Time Positions and Net Salaries | 121 | 8,431,148 | 109 | 8,166,213 |
Page 144
Subclass Detail
financial_summary
Page 6, Table 0 (p. 144 in full PDF)
Compares actual, budgeted, and proposed spending across fiscal years.
| 2025 Actual | 2026 Budget | 2027 Budget | Increase/ (Decrease) | % Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expenditures | |||||
| 51 - PERSONNEL-SALARIES & WAGES | 7,112,553 | 8,613,507 | 8,366,563 | (246,944) | (2.9)% |
| 51101 - Regular | 7,000,631 | 8,426,148 | 8,161,204 | (264,944) | |
| 51103 - Part-Time | — | 5,000 | 5,000 | — | |
| 51201 - Longevity | — | 10,000 | 13,000 | 3,000 | |
| 51207 - Leave Buyback | 14,364 | — | 15,000 | 15,000 | |
| 51401 - Premium Pay | 97,557 | 172,359 | 172,359 | — | |
| 52 - PERSONNEL-EMPLOYEE BENEFITS | 2,010,559 | 2,401,400 | 2,616,020 | 214,620 | 8.9% |
| 52101 - Health Insurance | 1,229,823 | 1,445,235 | 1,660,635 | 215,401 | |
| 52111 - Other Insurance/Benefits | 172,726 | 169,426 | 168,692 | (734) | |
| 52201 - Social Security | 517,109 | 671,669 | 668,381 | (3,288) | |
| 52601 - Personal Leave Buyback | 90,129 | 108,070 | 111,312 | 3,242 | |
| 52602 - Tuition Reimbursement | 773 | 7,000 | 7,000 | — | |
| 53 - PROFESSIONAL & TECHNICAL SERVICES | 395,503 | 207,000 | 247,000 | 40,000 | 19.3% |
| 53101 - Administrative Fees | — | 5,000 | 5,000 | — | |
| 53105 - Recording/Filing Fees | 2,409 | 44,000 | 44,000 | — | |
| 53301 - Workforce Training | 189,243 | 133,000 | 133,000 | — | |
| 53509 - Computer Maintenance | 139,797 | 5,000 | 5,000 | — | |
| 53901 - Professional Services | 64,054 | 20,000 | 60,000 | 40,000 | |
| 54 - PROPERTY SERVICES | 86 | 5,000 | 5,000 | — | —% |
| 54101 - Cleaning | 86 | 5,000 | 5,000 | — | |
| 55 - OTHER SERVICES | 6,234 | 15,000 | 15,000 | — | —% |
| 55305 - Promotional | 3,588 | 8,000 | 8,000 | — | |
| 55309 - Regulatory | — | 2,000 | 2,000 | — | |
| 55501 - Printing & Binding | — | 5,000 | 5,000 | — | |
| 56 - SUPPLIES | 212,721 | 98,377 | 98,377 | — | —% |
| 56101 - Office Supplies | 8,176 | 20,000 | 20,000 | — | |
| 56151 - Operational Supplies | 204,545 | 78,377 | 78,377 | — | |
| 57 - PROPERTY | 3,336 | 5,000 | 5,000 | — | —% |
| 57501 - Machinery & Equipment | 3,336 | 5,000 | 5,000 | — | |
| 9,740,992 | 11,345,284 | 11,352,960 | 7,676 | 0.1% |
Page 145
Five Year Forecast
DEPARTMENT OF PERMITS, LICENSES, AND INSPECTIONS 2027 Expenditures by Subclass 55 - OTHER SERVICES 56 - SUPPLIES 54 - PROPERTY SERVICES 57 - PROPERTY 53 - PROF. & TECHNICAL SERVICES 52 - PERSONNEL-EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
forecast
Page 7, Table 0 (p. 145 in full PDF)
Projects budget figures across multiple future years.
| 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expenditures | |||||
| 51 - PERSONNEL-SALARIES & WAGES | 8,366,563 | 8,615,044 | 8,699,126 | 8,779,875 | 8,861,033 |
| 52 - PERSONNEL-EMPLOYEE BENEFITS | 2,616,020 | 2,694,799 | 2,759,792 | 2,827,023 | 2,836,936 |
| 53 - PROF. & TECHNICAL SERVICES | 247,000 | 247,000 | 247,000 | 247,000 | 247,000 |
| 54 - PROPERTY SERVICES | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| 55 - OTHER SERVICES | 15,000 | 42,000 | 42,000 | 42,000 | 42,000 |
| 56 - SUPPLIES | 98,377 | 98,377 | 98,377 | 98,377 | 98,377 |
| 57 - PROPERTY | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Total | 11,352,960 | 11,707,220 | 11,856,295 | 12,004,276 | 12,095,346 |
| % Change from Prior Year | 0.1% | 3.1% | 1.3% | 1.2% | 0.8% |