Privacy & Surveillance in Pittsburgh, PA (2026)
3 verified privacy & surveillance rules for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Security Camera Rules
Pittsburgh's public-camera privacy ordinance governs only City-owned and government-funded cameras aimed at the public right-of-way. The code says outright it does not intend to regulate privately owned home security or doorbell cameras, so no city permit or registration applies to residents.
Pittsburgh Residential Security Camera Rules
Few RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 681.01(h)
It is not the intent of the City by this chapter to regulate in any manner privately owned and operated surveillance or security cameras.
Facial Recognition Ban
Pittsburgh bars its Department of Public Safety from acquiring, retaining, accessing, or using facial recognition or predictive policing technology without a City Council resolution approving it, subject only to a narrow 90-day exigent-circumstances exception.
Pittsburgh Facial Recognition Ban for Police
Significant RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 116.15(c)(1)
The Department of Public Safety shall not obtain, retain, access, or use Facial Recognition Technology or Predictive Policing Technology, or make use of information collected, captured, recorded, retained, processed, intercepted, analyzed, derived, or effected through the use of Select Surveillance Technology by another entity without the approval of City Council, or unless permitted through th...
License Plate Readers
Pittsburgh's public security camera ordinance bars automatic tracking, identification, and data-appending on city cameras, but expressly exempts license plate readers (ALPR/ANPR) from all three restrictions under Code § 681.02(d).
Pittsburgh License Plate Reader Camera Rules
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 681.02(d)
ALPR. The prohibitions against automatic tracking, appending data and automatic identification do not apply to ALPR (automatic license plate recognition) or ANPR (automatic number plate recognition). (e) Pan, Tilt, or Zoom Prohibited Absent Reasonable Suspicion of Criminal Activity. (i) The operator shall not use the pan, tilt or zoom features of a public security camera or public securit...
Looking for Allegheny County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Pittsburgh city rules.
Privacy & Surveillance in Allegheny County →