Key Takeaways
- Pittsburgh is advancing separate licensing and zoning bills for short-term rentals
- Allegheny County has roughly 3,500 active STRs, the highest level in three years
- Existing rentals could avoid new zoning approval but would still need a city license
Pennsylvania’s second-largest city is inching closer to regulating short-term rentals after years of debate, and some property owners are already pushing back against the proposed rules.
The proposal is unfolding in Pittsburgh, located about 300 miles west of Philadelphia, where city officials are considering separate licensing and zoning bills for short-term rentals.
“These new regulations will kill short-term rentals,” Michael Sobkowiak, who operates an STR in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood, told city council members at a recent meeting.
Pittsburgh police sergeant Joseph Ostrowski also spoke out, telling the council that despite a recent shooting an STR, the proposed legislation would not make a difference.
“Responsible short-term rental owners are investing in Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods,” he said, adding that they pay taxes and contribute to Pittsburgh’s economy.
“They should not be penalized because of the actions of a small number of bad individuals,” Ostrowski said.
Another owner, Ilnar Akhmedjanov, of Bloomfield called the propsed rules “arbitrary.”
“If a property is safe, well maintained, properly licenses and does not create issues for the neighborhood, why should it matter whether there are one, two or three short-term rental units?” he said.
Meanwhile, Ellie Harward of the North Side said she’s hosted families traveling to Pittsburgh for sports and events for years, and questioned what it will mean for tourism in the city.
“With this proposal, we’re moving backwards in how we allow people to travel here,” she said.
Pittsburgh’s proposed short-term rental rules explained
The proposed rules would require short-term rental owners to obtain a city license and follow new zoning requirements.
Rentals in residential neighborhoods that are not attached to an owner’s primary residence could also face additional review before receiving approval.
In addition, the legislation would also limit the concentration of short-term rentals in apartment buildings in Steeler nation.
No more than two STRs would be permitted in buildings with 20 units or fewer, while larger buildings would be capped at five.
The debate comes as Allegheny County has reached a three-year high of roughly 3,500 active short-term rentals, according to AirDNA data cited by 90.5 WESA.
“It was our goal to make sure that there was a much more difficult path for people who are trying to treat our neighborhoods like they are commercial areas,” commented Councilor Deb Gross, per the outlet.
“Because they aren’t. They’re neighborhoods for homes where we need people to be able to live,” said Gross, who introduced the latest iteration of the bill at the tail end of a recent council meeting.
In the earlier version of the bill, a property owner could get approval granted for a short-term rental in a residential area by seeking a “special exception” from city zoning authorities.
However, the newer version of the bill appears to close off that possibility for anyone who doesn’t reside at the property themselves.
Why Pittsburgh can’t count its short-term rentals
About 30 are located in Fineview, a North Side neighborhood with fewer than 1,300 residents.
Pittsburgh does not currently have a registry dedicated specifically to short-term rentals, making it difficult to determine exactly how many are operating within city limits.
Related: Massachusetts city reviews short-term rental rules after violent home invasion
The licensing measure would establish operating standards and allow the city to suspend or revoke licenses following violations.
Owners would also have to provide contact information for someone responsible for the property who lives within 25 miles.
Existing short-term rentals would not have to secure the same zoning approval required of new properties, but they would still be subject to the licensing rules.
The zoning proposal was amended by City Council and returned to the Pittsburgh Planning Commission for further review.
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