Noise Ordinances in Pittsburgh, PA (2026)
8 verified noise ordinances for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Pittsburgh's noise ordinance tightens at night. Unamplified sound reaching a neighbor's residential property is capped at 55 dB(A) between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., down from the 65 dB(A) daytime limit set by City Code.
Pittsburgh Nighttime Noise Curfew
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 601.04(c)
No person shall transmit or cause to be transmitted any unamplified noise, which leaves the premises from which it originates, and enters any residential property... In excess of the noise levels specified below in Table A... Daytime: 7:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m. 65 dB(A) or 3 above background sound level, whichever is greater. Nighttime: 10:00 p.m.—7:00 a.m. 55 dB(A) or 3 above background sound level,...
Construction Hours
Pittsburgh caps general construction hours and further restricts loud impact equipment like jackhammers and pile drivers to a tighter daytime window under the zoning code's operational performance standards.
Pittsburgh Construction Equipment Hours
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 917.06
Construction operations for projects that have current and valid permits are permitted during the hours of 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM Monday through Friday and 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, and subject to the following standards: A. Impact construction or demolition operations such as pile drivers, jackhammers, concrete saws, etc., shall be limited to between the hours of 8:00 AM an...
Barking Dogs
Pittsburgh declares a dog, cat, or other animal a nuisance when frequent, habitual barking, howling, or yelping disturbs the quiet of any person or the community, and bars owners from letting it continue.
Pittsburgh Barking Dog Nuisance Rules
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 633.09(b)
Any dog, cat or other animal, which by frequent and habitual barking, howling, screeching, yelping or baying, or in any way or manner disturbs the quiet of any person or the community, or which disturbs or endangers the comfort, repose or health of persons, is hereby declared to be committing a nuisance. No owner or person having custody of the animal shall harbor or permit it to commit a nuisa...
Leaf Blower Rules
Leaf blowers and other lawn care equipment are exempt from Pittsburgh's noise limits only between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.; use outside those hours must meet the city's decibel limits.
Pittsburgh Leaf Blower Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh Code Section 601.04(f)(4)
Exemptions. A person shall be exempt from this section provided that: (1) The noise is being generated to request assistance or warn of a hazardous situation; or (2) The noise emanates from an authorized emergency vehicle or a vehicle operated by a gas, electric, communication or water utility; or (3) The noise emanates from a bell, chime or similar device used by a school or religious...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Pittsburgh caps loudspeaker and amplified sound reaching residential property at 75 dB(A) day and night, or audibility from 75 feet, under the City's noise control ordinance.
Pittsburgh Amplified Sound Decibel Limits
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 601.04(c)(2)
(2) Amplified Noise. No person shall transmit or cause to be transmitted any noise created by loudspeaker(s), audio amplification device(s), or other similar devices which leaves the premises from which it originates, and enters any residential property or premises in a residential zoning district ... In excess of the noise levels specified below in Table B: Daytime 7:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m. 75 dB(A...
Aircraft Noise
Pittsburgh zoning requires helistop applicants to submit a helicopter noise study measured in Ldn; if the analysis shows a 3 dB increase pushing residential noise above 75 dBLdn, the city must deny the permit.
Pittsburgh Helistop Noise Standard
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 911.04.A.31
Applicants shall submit a noise analysis demonstrating the noise impact in terms of Ldn. If this analysis demonstrates a +3 dBLdn increase due to the helistop and this increase results in noise levels exceeding seventy-five (75) dBLdn at residential uses in residential zoning districts, the application shall be denied. (c) An environmental report addressing the pertinent sixteen (16) specifi...
Decibel Limits
Pittsburgh caps unamplified noise crossing into residential property at 65 dB(A) daytime and 55 dB(A) at night, while amplified noise from loudspeakers is capped at 75 dB(A) around the clock.
Pittsburgh Noise Decibel Limits
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 601.04
Table A Maximum Allowable Noise Levels at Residential Property Receiving Premises Daytime: 7:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m. 65 dB(A) or 3 above background sound level, whichever is greater Nighttime: 10:00 p.m.—7:00 a.m. 55 dB(A) or 3 above background sound level, whichever is greater (2) Amplified Noise. No person shall transmit or cause to be transmitted any noise created by loudspeaker(s), aud...
Vehicle Noise
Pittsburgh bans un-muffled compression ("Jake" or engine) braking anywhere in the city, with an exception only when the brakes were applied in a genuine emergency to protect people or property.
Pittsburgh Engine Brake Noise Ban
Significant RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 503.15
Except as provided in this section, no person shall use motor vehicle un-muffled compression brakes within the City of Pittsburgh. It shall be an affirmative defense that said un-muffled compression brakes were applied in an emergency to protect persons and/or property. (b) This section shall not apply to vehicles of the city's fire department, whether or not responding to an emergency. (c)...
Looking for Allegheny County county-wide rules?
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