Landscaping Rules in Pittsburgh, PA (2026)

Pittsburgh Code § 483.03(b)

Whenever the limbs, branches or other tree parts on private property extend over or into any public street so as to interfere with its free and unintercepted use or obstruct a street light or interfere with fire alarm wires, the Department of Public Works may give notice to the owner, agent or occupant of such property to trim trees within the time specified in the notice, which shall not be le...

Pittsburgh Code § 483.03(a)

No person shall remove or cut down any tree or shrub in any public street or other public place without having first obtained a permit therefor. Application for the permit shall be made to the Department of Public Works and done in accordance with plans and specification issued by the Department. The Director is authorized to issue annual permits to those companies regularly engaged in the busi...

Pittsburgh Code § 609.01

It shall be the duty of every owner or occupant of real estate within the City at all times to cut and destroy noxious weeds as required and poison ivy, and to mow the grass and other weeds on their respective lots, and in the lawn space adjacent to curb lines along the front, rear and side lot lines thereof, so that neither grass nor weeds shall grow above the height of six (6) inches, and eve...

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection — Drought Information: How Drought Declarations are Made in Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth Drought Coordinator manages drought-related activities and monitors drought conditions statewide. Drought watch and warning are informational declarations issued by the Coordinator with input from the Drought Task Force. Drought emergency declarations, which have mandatory conservation requirements, follow a similar process but require final approval by the Governor. Drought de...

Pittsburgh Code § 609.08(c)

Right to install and maintain managed natural landscapes. An owner, authorized agent, or authorized occupant of any privately owned lands or premises may, consistent with this subsection and all other applicable laws, statutes, rules, and ordinances, install and maintain a managed natural landscape. (d) Requirements. 1. Managed natural landscapes may include any native plants. 2. Manag...

Pittsburgh Code § 619.14

Composting activities are classified as Urban Agriculture in Section 912.07 of the Pittsburgh Zoning Code. Any and all composting activities, including residential accessory use permitted by right as described in Section 912.02, must comply with the following criteria: (a) Size and Placement. Compost structures shall be set back at least one (1) foot from all property lines. Organic materia...