Pittsburgh, PA Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)
Key Facts
- First violation fine
- $35 per QOL code
- Second violation fine
- $50, same calendar year
- Third violation fine
- $100, same calendar year
- Appeal deadline
- 15 calendar days from ticket
- Enforced by
- City code Inspectors
Summary
Pittsburgh issues Quality-of-Life tickets for four common code violations: excess exterior garbage, improperly stored trash or recycling cans, early or late curbside setout, and mixing recyclables with waste, with fines that climb per repeat offense.
QOL-1. Accumulation of Garbage. All exterior property and premises shall not contain more than one cubic foot of municipal waste, debris, trash, rubbish, or garbage.
(b) QOL-2. Improper Storage of Cans. All municipal waste or recycling containers must be stored in the rear of every property so said containers are not visible from the public right-of-way, where feasible. All waste or recycling containers shall store municipal waste and recyclables in durable, watertight containers with close-fitting lids. Containers shall be kept in clean, neat, and sanitary condition at all times so as not to create an attraction or harborage for rodents, insects, and other pests.
(c) QOL-3. Early Set out or Late Removal of Cans. Municipal waste and recyclables shall be placed for collection no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the day before collection and no later than 6:00 a.m. the day of collection. Containers shall be removed from the collection site and stored no later than 10:00 p.m. on collection days.
(d) QOL-4. Contamination of Recyclables. Recyclables must be separated from municipal waste.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 619A defines four Quality-of-Life (QOL) violations enforced citywide by City code Inspectors: QOL-1 accumulating more than one cubic foot of municipal waste, debris, trash, rubbish, or garbage on exterior property; QOL-2 storing waste or recycling containers visible from the public right-of-way, or not in durable, watertight, close-fitting-lid containers; QOL-3 setting cans out earlier than 6:00 p.m. the day before collection or leaving them out past 10:00 p.m. on collection day; and QOL-4 mixing recyclables with municipal waste. An Inspector may issue a citation, a notice of violation, or a QUALITY-OF-LIFE TICKET, served by hand, by posting at the property, or by mail.
Violations & Fines
First QOL ticket for a given violation type costs $35 within the calendar year, a second costs $50, and a third costs $100; the City can also bill separately for any cleanup it performs itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a Quality-of-Life violation in Pittsburgh?
How much is a Quality-of-Life ticket fine?
Can a Quality-of-Life ticket be appealed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pittsburgh
Compare Pittsburgh to another location·View the Pennsylvania code violation reporting overview
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