Frequently Asked Questions

General Permit and Portal Questions

What is the price of an RPP permit?

The cost of the Residential Parking Permit is $20.00 per vehicle per program year.

Is the price lower if I purchase a permit in the middle of a year?

Unfortunately, we are not able to pro-rate for mid-year purchases.

When does my permit expire?

Our permits are valid for on a program year. All permits in an area expire on the first day of their renewal month, which is at the end of the program year.

If you buy the permit mid-year, it will still expire at the end of the program year. 

Click on your parking area on this map to see when your permit area expires.

How many permits can be issued to the same residential unit?

We can issue up to three permits for unrelated individuals at the same residential unit. Unrelated people need to apply and demonstrate residency individually. There is not a limit on the number of permits that can be issued to a family that submits valid documents.

We can only issue one RPP permit and one visitors permit per unit for a business.

I am not able to apply for a permit or pass because the maximum number has been issued to previous tenants who no longer live in the unit. What can I do?

Please have your landlord send an email to rppinfo@pittsburghparking.com with the names of the current tenants on the lease for your unit. 

After receiving that confirmation, we will cancel the permits for the previous tenants and review your application.

How do I know if I live in a permit area?

When you enter your address into the online portal it will assign a permit area automatically. So if it does not assign an area to your application, then you are likely not in an RPP area and not eligible to receive a permit. You can view a map of our permit areas here and search for your residence by address.

What if I move to a different RPP area after I purchase my permit?

You will need to purchase a new RPP permit if you move to a new area. We do not charge for a new permit if you move within the same RPP area. Click here for a map of the areas.

Can I purchase an RPP permit if I don't live or own a business in an RPP district?

Only residents and business owners who live or own a business within an RPP district are eligible to apply for a permit.

I just submitted my permit application. When will it be approved?

We endeavor to review all applications by the end of the next business day. During heavy permitting times in August and September it may take up to four business days to review permit applications. Please allow us time to review your permit before you reach out to the office to inquire about your application's status. If you receive a ticket for parking without an RPP permit while your permit is awaiting review by Authority staff, please contact us at rppinfo@pittsburghparking.com and we will review the ticket.

What do I do when I have a rental car?

If you have a rental car, we can issue a variance for up to two weeks. Please email rppinfo@pittsburghparking.com with your name, address, permit area, the plate number and state of the rental car, and the length of the rental period.

Can I submit screenshots for my proof documents?

Screenshots and electronic versions of documents are accepted. Please make sure names, dates, addresses, and plate numbers are clearly readable in the images before you submit them.

I'm having a technical issue with the portal. What can I do?

Please send an email describing the issue to rppinfo@pittsburghparking.com. If possible, please include screenshots of error messages or missing buttons.

Visitor Pass Questions

What is the cost of a visitor pass?

The cost of the Visitor Pass is $1.00 per program year.

How do I issue my visitor pass to a guest?

Log in to your account and click on the "Visitor's Pass" menu item on the left side of your screen. Enter the plate number and dates of the visit. 

Click the blue Issue Visitor Pass button at the bottom of the screen. You will receive a confirmation email.

How often can a visitor's pass be used?

A visitor pass can be used up to three consecutive days at a time, and then not on the fourth day.

How many visitor passes can be issued?

We issue one visitor pass per housing or business unit. If there are multiple family members or roommates in a unit, only one pass will be issued and all visitor pass issuances must come from the account that purchased the visitor pass.

How many visitors can I have at one time?

A visitor pass can be issued to one plate at a time.

Do I have to issue a pass every time I have a visitor?

Yes, you must issue a visitor pass every time you have a visitor. You are able to save plate information in the online system and do not have to type it every time. You can set up a visitor pass for regularly scheduled visitors for up to a year. Please note: you will receive a confirmation email every time you issue the pass. 

I know a senior resident who doesn't use a computer. How does s/he use the visitor pass system?

Residents without a computer can call our Visitor Pass Line at 412-560-2501. If PPA staff is not able to take the call, please leave a message with the visitor pass holder's name, address, phone number, plate number of the visitor, and dates of the visit. The visitor pass holder's account can be set up so that an adult child or friend can access the account to issue a pass. Please call 412-560-2516 to make arrangements.

Proof of Residency Questions

How do I know if my lease meets your requirements?

We need to see:

• your name
• the address of the property
• the term of the lease (beginning and end dates)
• the signatures of you and the property owner

Do I need to upload my entire lease?

You do not need to upload the entire lease, only the relevant pages.

Do you accept lease renewal documents?

Yes, as long as they contain:

• your name
• the address of the property
• the term of the lease (beginning and end dates)
• the signatures of you and the property owner

What do I do if I am in a formal or informal sublease?

You must submit a notarized letter from the property owner/ landlord or a sublease agreement. This document must state that you live there and for how long and who you are subleasing from.

If the sublease does not involve the property owner, the agreement must be notarized.

Can I submit a mortgage document?

No, mortgage documents or mortgage insurance documents are not accepted as they prove ownership, but not residency.

What utility bills do you accept?

We accept electric, gas, and cable bills. We do not accept water (PWSA/PGH20), sewer, or cell phone bills.

Please note: We need to see the full page bill with the payment tab attached to verify that the billing and service addresses match. Screenshots and online viewable versions are accepted.

Proof of Vehicle Registration Questions

Can I submit the receipt that shows I paid for my vehicle registration instead of the registration card?

No, we need to see the vehicle's registration card.

What do I do if I recently purchased my vehicle and don't have the vehicle registration card yet?

We accept current temporary vehicle registrations. Pennsylvania temporary vehicle registrations, commonly known as pink slips, are valid for 90 days after purchase of the vehicle.

What if the vehicle I use isn't registered to me or an immediate family member?

If the vehicle is registered to your employer and you have exclusive use of the vehicle, please have your employer complete and notarize this form. Upload the completed form in the Additional Documents section of the online portal.

If the vehicle is registered to an immediate family member who does not have your last name, this completed, notarized form will be required. The vehicle must be registered to an immediate family member. Upload the completed form in the Additional Documents section of the online portal.

Please note: If the vehicle is not registered to you, an immediate family member, or an employer, then we will not be able to approve the permit.

Replacing a Vehicle

How do I change the vehicle plate associated with my permit?

• Log into your account and click on the "Vehicles" menu item on the left of your screen.
• Click the "Replace" icon next to the vehicle that you would like to change.
• Enter your new vehicle data, including the new license plate number, upload your new vehicle registration, and click "Replace Vehicle".
• The new vehicle will be reviewed by PPAP staff. If it is approved, you will receive a confirmation email, your permit will become active, and your card will not be charged. You will receive email confirmations that your previous plate's permit was cancelled, we issued a system credit as payment, and your new permit is approved.

Business Permit Questions

What are the requirements for a business to obtain a permit?

A business must submit proofs of license, occupancy, and a vehicle registration. The proofs must meet the conditions as listed above in the Proof of Residency and Registration sections.

Businesses also need to complete and notarize this form. Upload the completed form in the Other section of the online portal.

How many permits can a business obtain?

A business can obtain one permit and one visitor pass.

Multiple businesses operating in the same unit are eligible for only one permit and pass for the unit.

Please note: Any business submitting forged or fraudulent documents purporting to show more than one business operating in the same location in an attempt to obtain more than one permit or pass will have its permit and pass revoked for the remainder of the area year.