Pittsburgh, PA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum notice period
- 10 days to trim
- Enforcing agency
- Department of Public Works
- If ignored
- City trims and bills owner
- Removal
- Separate permit required
Summary
Pittsburgh property owners must trim trees whose limbs extend into a public street, block free passage, obstruct a streetlight, or interfere with fire alarm wires once Public Works issues a written notice.
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 less than ten (10) days.
(c) If the owner, agent or occupant who is served with notice fails to comply with the terms of the notice within the time prescribed, the Department may trim or detach any limbs, branches or other tree parts. Upon completion of the work required to be done under the terms of this section the owners of the premises upon which the work was done shall be billed for the work performed by the City.
Full Breakdown
Under Pittsburgh Code § 483.03(b)-(c), the Department of Public Works may notify a property owner, agent, or occupant when limbs, branches, or other tree parts on private property extend over or into a public street, interfering with its free use or obstructing a streetlight or fire alarm wires. The notice must give at least ten days to trim the tree. If the owner fails to comply in that time, Public Works may trim or detach the limbs itself and bill the property owner for the work performed. Removing or cutting down a tree in a public street or place requires a separate Public Works permit under § 483.03(a).
Violations & Fines
Ignore a trim notice and Public Works trims the encroaching limbs itself and bills the owner for the cost; cutting down a street tree without a § 483.03(a) permit is a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who enforces Pittsburgh's street tree trimming rules?
Do I need a permit to trim my tree after a city notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pittsburgh
Compare Pittsburgh to another location·View the Pennsylvania landscaping rules overview
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