Pop. 19,731 · Allegheny County
McKeesport does not impose a night cap on short-term rentals. No annual rental-day limit is currently enforced; hosts must still collect PA 6% hotel occupancy tax on stays under 30 days.
Occupancy in McKeesport STRs follows PA UCC/IPMC standards: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional. No McKeesport-specific STR occupancy cap, but building code occupancy limits apply.
No McKeesport insurance mandate for STRs. Hosts strongly advised to carry commercial liability coverage. Airbnb AirCover and Vrbo Liability Insurance provide platform-based protection up to $1 million.
Amplified music audible beyond property lines after 10 PM violates McKeesport quiet hours and PA 18 5503 disorderly conduct. Outdoor events at Renziehausen Park require permits.
No McKeesport-specific leaf blower ordinance. General nuisance noise limits and quiet hours apply. Gas and electric blowers permitted during daytime.
Modified exhausts, loud mufflers, and engine revving prohibited under PA Vehicle Code 75 Pa.C.S. 4523 requiring functional mufflers. McKeesport Police enforce.
Industrial and commercial noise sources subject to Allegheny County Health Department Article XXI air quality and noise provisions plus McKeesport zoning performance standards.
McKeesport enforces quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM under the city nuisance code, supplemented by PA Title 18 5503 disorderly conduct statute covering unreasonable noise.
Persistent dog barking enforceable as public nuisance under McKeesport code and PA Dog Law 3 P.S. 459. Complaints handled by police and ACHD animal services.
Construction noise generally restricted to daytime hours (typically 7 AM to 8 PM weekdays) under McKeesport nuisance provisions. Emergency utility and public works exempt.
Aircraft noise preempted by FAA under 49 U.S.C. 40103. McKeesport near Allegheny County Airport (AGC) in West Mifflin and flight paths from Pittsburgh International (PIT).
Fence permits required in McKeesport for most installations. PA UCC exempts fences under 6 feet from building permit, but city zoning permits still apply.
Standard fence materials (wood, vinyl, chain link, aluminum, masonry) permitted. Barbed wire and electric fences restricted to non-residential zones. No razor wire in residential.
Corner lots in McKeesport must maintain a clear sight triangle at intersections. Fences, hedges, and obstructions over 30 inches prohibited within the triangle to ensure traffic safety.
PA Uniform Construction Code requires 48 inch minimum barrier around pools over 24 inches deep per IRC R326. Self-closing, self-latching gates required. Applies citywide in McKeesport.
Pennsylvania has no statewide fence cost-sharing statute. Each McKeesport property owner responsible for their own fence. Boundary disputes resolved civilly; spite fence doctrine available.
McKeesport zoning typically permits fences up to 6 feet in rear and side yards, 3 to 4 feet in front yards. Higher fences in non-residential zones may be allowed with permit.
Allegheny County does not issue retaining wall permits — building authority rests with each of the 130 municipalities under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (Act 45 of 1999, 35 P.S. 7210.101). UCC at 34 Pa. Code Section 403.62 exempts retaining walls 4 feet or less in height (measured from the lowest grade to the top of the wall) unless the wall supports a surcharge or impounds Class I, II, or III-A liquids. Walls over 4 feet, walls supporting a driveway, building, or steep slope, and any earth disturbance over 5,000 sq ft also trigger Allegheny County Conservation District (ACCD) review under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102.
PA Game Commission prohibits feeding deer, elk, and bears under 58 Pa. Code 137.33 and 141.4. Feeding that creates nuisance conditions enforceable as nuisance in McKeesport.
McKeesport follows common PA municipal pet limits (typically 3 to 5 dogs per household); kennel license required above threshold under PA Dog Law.
Backyard chickens subject to McKeesport zoning; typically allowed in lower-density residential with coop setbacks. Roosters often prohibited due to noise. No state preemption.
Beekeeping legal under PA Bee Law 3 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 with annual registration through PA Department of Agriculture. McKeesport zoning may restrict hive placement in dense residential areas.
McKeesport has no breed-specific legislation. PA Dog Law uses behavior-based dangerous dog provisions at 3 P.S. 459-502-A, not breed bans.
PA Dog Law 3 P.S. 459-305 requires all dogs be confined, firmly secured, or under reasonable control at all times. McKeesport enforces through police and county animal control.
McKeesport has not enacted a city-specific exotic-pets ordinance distinguishing emus or other ratites. Possession of emus and other exotic wildlife in McKeesport is therefore governed by Pennsylvania state law: 58 Pa. Code Subchapter N (Exotic Wildlife Possession) and the Pennsylvania Game Commission permit program. Emus are classified as 'medium-sized' exotics under PA regulations and require a 500-square-foot paddock, with a 25% increase for each additional animal.
Pennsylvania's animal cruelty statutes apply universally to hoarding situations, treating neglect of multiple animals as a graded offense up to felony.
McKeesport is an urban riverfront city not located in a designated wildfire hazard zone. No California-style defensible space mandates apply under PA law.
Recreational backyard fires are permitted in McKeesport under Allegheny County Health Department rules with clean seasoned wood only. No trash, leaves, or yard waste allowed. Fire must be attended with extinguishing means nearby.
PA UCC requires working smoke alarms in all dwelling units. Required outside each sleeping area, inside each bedroom, and on every floor including basement.
Property owners must maintain vegetation to prevent fire hazards. Overgrown brush within 30 feet of structures may trigger code enforcement under property maintenance code.
ACHD Article XXI prohibits open burning of leaves, yard waste, and trash in Allegheny County including McKeesport. Only recreational cooking fires and small ceremonial fires allowed.
PA Act 43 of 2017 legalized consumer-grade (1.4G) fireworks for adults 18+. Cannot discharge within 150 feet of occupied structures. 12% state fireworks tax applies.
Recreational fire pits allowed in McKeesport with ACHD and local restrictions. Must be at least 15 feet from structures and property lines, use only seasoned wood, and be attended at all times.
McKeesport prohibits noxious weeds and overgrown vegetation under the International Property Maintenance Code adopted through PA UCC. PA Noxious Weed Control Law (3 P.S. §255.1) lists state-controlled invasive species requiring removal.
No specific McKeesport prohibition on artificial turf for residential yards. Installation subject to stormwater management and zoning setback requirements under city code and PA DEP Clean Streams Law.
No routine outdoor water restrictions in McKeesport. Pennsylvania American Water serves the area with generally abundant supply from the Monongahela/Youghiogheny river system. PA DEP drought advisories may trigger voluntary conservation.
Rainwater harvesting is legal and unregulated for residential use in Pennsylvania. No state permit required for rain barrels or cisterns used for outdoor irrigation. McKeesport imposes no additional restrictions.
No McKeesport ordinance mandating or restricting native plant use. Residents encouraged to use PA-native species; some turfgrass alternatives allowed within grass height limits.
Property owners responsible for trimming trees overhanging streets, sidewalks, and neighbor properties. City may order trimming of trees obstructing sight lines or public ways.
McKeesport Property Maintenance Code limits grass and weeds to 10 inches. Violations result in notice, then city mowing at owner expense plus administrative fee.
No general tree removal permit required for trees on private property in McKeesport. Street trees and trees in public right-of-way require city approval.
Carports are treated as accessory structures under McKeesport zoning. Setback requirements apply, and building permits are typically required for permanent attached carports under the PA Uniform Construction Code.
Tiny homes on foundations in McKeesport must meet full PA UCC/IRC residential code including minimum room sizes. Tiny homes on wheels are classified as RVs under PennDOT and cannot serve as permanent dwellings in residential zones.
McKeesport zoning does not expressly permit Accessory Dwelling Units in most residential districts. PA has no statewide ADU mandate; local zoning controls.
Garage conversions to habitable space require PA UCC building permit and must meet residential code for ceiling height, egress, insulation, and ventilation. Zoning approval also required.
Sheds under 200 sq ft typically exempt from PA UCC building permit but still require zoning compliance. Setback requirements apply; must be in rear yard.
Pool barrier minimum 48 inches high required per IRC R326. Self-closing, self-latching gates mandatory with latch 54 inches above ground. Applies to pools holding 24+ inches of water.
Anti-entrapment drain covers required per federal Virginia Graeme Baker Act. GFCI protection on all pool electrical circuits under PA UCC/NEC. Chemical storage must follow UCC hazmat provisions.
Building permit required for all in-ground pools and above-ground pools deeper than 24 inches per PA UCC. Apply through McKeesport Code Enforcement. Electrical permit also required for pumps and lighting.
Hot tubs and spas with locking safety covers compliant with ASTM F1346 exempt from barrier requirements per IRC R326.5. Electrical permit required; GFCI mandatory.
Above-ground pools over 24 inches deep in McKeesport require permits and barrier compliance under the PA UCC. Ladders must be removable or lockable when the pool is unattended to qualify as a barrier.
Home-based business signage in McKeesport residential districts is strictly limited. Typical allowance is one non-illuminated nameplate under 2 square feet attached to the principal structure.
Family day care homes (4-6 children) permitted in residential zones as home occupation. PA DHS certification required under 55 Pa. Code Ch. 3290. Group day care (7-12) requires conditional use approval.
Home occupations must not generate significant customer traffic or on-street parking impact. Typically limited to by-appointment visits only; no retail walk-in traffic.
Home occupation permit required through McKeesport Zoning Office. Must be clearly incidental to residential use, occupy under 25% of floor area, no non-resident employees, no external evidence.
PA Act 106 of 2022 (Cottage Food Law) allows limited home-based food sales for non-potentially hazardous foods. Producers must register with PA Department of Agriculture and comply with labeling.
Home occupations permitted in McKeesport residential districts as accessory use subject to zoning conditions. Business must be clearly secondary to residential use and not alter residential character.
Commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVW may not park overnight on residential streets in McKeesport. Tractor-trailers and dump trucks must park in commercial/industrial zones.
McKeesport has no citywide EV charging mandate. Residential Level 1 and Level 2 chargers require an electrical permit under the PA UCC. Public chargers exist at city lots.
Overnight parking is permitted on most McKeesport residential streets. Snow emergency routes and posted zones prohibit overnight parking when declared or signed.
New driveways and curb cuts require a permit from McKeesport Public Works. Driveways must not drain onto public sidewalks and must use approved apron materials.
Vehicles left on streets over 72 hours or visibly inoperable may be tagged and towed under PA Title 75 Chapter 73. Unregistered vehicles on private property also violate code.
RVs and boats generally may not be stored on the street. On private property, they must be in the side or rear yard, screened from view, and not used as living quarters.
On-street parking in McKeesport follows posted signs. Downtown Fifth Avenue has metered parking enforced by the McKeesport Parking Authority. 72-hour limit for unmoved vehicles on residential streets.
Medical marijuana dispensaries permitted in commercial zones with PA Department of Health license. Must be 1000 ft from schools and daycares per Act 16. McKeesport zoning requires conditional use approval.
Home cultivation of cannabis is prohibited in Pennsylvania. PA Medical Marijuana Act (Act 16 of 2016) does NOT allow patient home grow. Recreational cannabis remains illegal statewide.
McKeesport is regulated under Allegheny County MS4 permit and PA DEP Chapter 102. Earth disturbance over 5,000 sq ft requires an E&S control plan; over 1 acre requires NPDES permit.
Projects disturbing 5,000 sq ft or more must submit an E&S plan to Allegheny County Conservation District. Silt fence, inlet protection, and stabilized construction entrances are standard.
Grading that alters drainage patterns requires a permit from McKeesport Public Works. Owners cannot direct stormwater onto neighboring properties under PA common law.
McKeesport sits at the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers, placing significant portions of the city in FEMA Zone AE floodplain. Floodplain construction requires elevation to BFE plus 1.5 ft freeboard.
Allegheny County is inland and has no ocean coast — Pennsylvania's only coastal-zone counties under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act are Erie (Lake Erie) and the Delaware estuary counties. Allegheny's analogous regulatory regime is floodplain management for the Three Rivers (Allegheny, Monongahela, Ohio). Floodplain ordinances are administered by each of the 130 municipalities under PA Act 166 of 1978 (32 P.S. 679.101) and 12 Pa. Code Chapter 113, and reviewed against the FEMA County-Wide Flood Insurance Study revised September 26, 2014.
Property owners must clear snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours after snowfall ends per McKeesport Code Chapter 285 (Streets and Sidewalks). Violations fined 25-300 dollars.
Vacant lot owners must maintain grass under 10 inches, remove debris, and secure any structures. Failure results in municipal abatement with costs billed to owner plus 10 percent admin fee.
McKeesport aggressively enforces IPMC against blighted properties. City uses PA Act 135 Conservatorship and Act 90 blight remedies. Unpaid code fines become liens and can lead to Sheriff sale.
Garage sales permitted at residences without permit, limited to 3 sales per calendar year, maximum 3 consecutive days each. No sales before 8 AM or after 8 PM.
Trash receptacles must have tight-fitting lids and be stored in rear or side yard when not at curb. Violations carry fines up to 1000 dollars under IPMC adopted by McKeesport.
The PA Uniform Planned Community Act (68 Pa.C.S. Ch. 51) governs HOA board procedures for communities created after 1997. Board meetings must be open to members with notice; minutes kept and available for owner inspection.
HOAs may levy assessments per declaration. PA Uniform Planned Community Act permits liens for unpaid assessments; 6-month super-priority over first mortgage for assessments.
Architectural review committees operate under association CC&Rs. PA law requires reasonable standards and timely review. HOA approval does not replace city zoning or building permits.
HOA disputes in McKeesport are typically resolved through HOA internal procedures, mediation, or Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. PA Bureau of Consumer Protection handles some complaints.
HOAs in McKeesport enforce CC&Rs through fines, liens, and civil actions under the PA Uniform Planned Community Act. Federal protections exist for flags and satellite dishes; state solar protections are limited. The city does not enforce private CC&Rs.
Weekly curbside trash collection in McKeesport through a city-contracted hauler. Place containers at the curb no earlier than 6 PM the day before pickup; remove by 8 PM pickup day per Chapter 301 (Solid Waste).
Bulk items (furniture, appliances) in McKeesport are collected on scheduled bulk pickup days. Residents must call to schedule. Tires, electronics, and hazardous waste are excluded and must go to Allegheny County HHW events.
Trash containers must be kept at the rear or side of the dwelling except during collection. Containers at curb more than 24 hours after pickup are a code violation.
McKeesport is a mandatory recycling municipality under PA Act 101. Residents must separate recyclables: paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum/steel cans, and plastics #1 and #2.
McKeesport zoning sets front setbacks of 15-25 ft, side setbacks of 5-10 ft, and rear setbacks of 20-25 ft in typical residential R-2 and R-3 districts.
Residential structures in McKeesport are typically capped at 35 ft or 2.5 stories. Commercial districts allow 45-60 ft depending on zone.
Residential lot coverage in McKeesport is typically capped at 40-50% for principal and accessory structures combined. Impervious surface ratios may be stricter.
No permit required for residential garage sales in McKeesport. Limit 3 sales per household per calendar year, each up to 3 consecutive days. Commercial reselling prohibited without vendor license.
Allegheny County does not regulate garage or yard sale frequency — there is no county ordinance limiting how many sales a household may hold per year. Land-use authority belongs to each of the 130 municipalities under the PA Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247 of 1968, 53 P.S. 10101). The City of Pittsburgh does not require a permit for an occasional residential garage sale on private property, and PA Department of Revenue exempts non-recurring isolated personal-property sales from the 6 percent state sales tax.
Residents may post No Soliciting signs; solicitors must honor them. Violation of posted sign is summary offense. McKeesport maintains an informal no-knock registry through police department.
Door-to-door solicitors must register with McKeesport Police Department, submit to background check, and carry photo ID permit. Fees apply. Chapter 271 (Peddling and Soliciting) governs.
Light that crosses property lines and unreasonably interferes with a neighbor's use may be abated as a nuisance. McKeesport code enforcement can investigate complaints.
McKeesport has no dark-sky ordinance. Exterior lighting must not create nuisance glare onto adjacent properties under general nuisance provisions.
McKeesport requires landlords to register rental units and obtain occupancy permits. Rental inspections conducted by the Department of Planning and Community Development before new tenant occupancy.
No local just-cause eviction ordinance in McKeesport. PA Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 P.S. 250.501) governs. Landlords may terminate month-to-month tenancies with 15 days notice; fixed-term leases end per lease terms.
Pennsylvania prohibits municipal rent control. McKeesport cannot cap rents or rent increases. Landlord-tenant relations are governed by PA Landlord-Tenant Act of 1951.
McKeesport parks closed from dusk to dawn (generally 10 PM to 6 AM) unless permitted for special events. Violations cited as defiant trespass under PA Crimes Code 3503.
McKeesport has a juvenile curfew. Minors under 18 prohibited in public 10 PM to 6 AM Sunday-Thursday; 11 PM to 6 AM Friday-Saturday, unless with parent or for work/emergency.
Federal RRP Rule requires EPA-certified renovators for pre-1978 housing disturbing over 6 sq ft interior or 20 sq ft exterior. McKeesport has substantial pre-1978 housing stock; Allegheny County Health Department enforces childhood lead poisoning prevention.
Scaffolding on public right-of-way requires a permit from the McKeesport Building Inspector. Scaffolds must meet PA UCC and OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L standards.
Property owners must keep structures free of rodents and insects under the International Property Maintenance Code adopted by McKeesport. Infestations are code violations.
PA Department of Labor and Industry regulates elevators under the Elevator Law (34 Pa. Code Ch. 7). Annual inspections required; certificates must be posted. McKeesport Code Enforcement handles complaints.
Solar panel installation in McKeesport requires a building and electrical permit under the PA UCC. Roof-mount residential systems are generally allowed by right.
Pennsylvania has no statewide solar access law. HOAs may restrict solar panels unless the community's governing documents state otherwise.
Holiday decorations and lighting permitted without permit. No specific time limits in McKeesport code, though displays causing nuisance (excessive light trespass, traffic) may draw complaints under general nuisance provisions.
Garage sale signs allowed on private property with owner consent. Signs in public right-of-way or on utility poles prohibited and subject to removal. Must be taken down within 24 hours after sale ends.
Political signs permitted in residential yards without permit. McKeesport zoning limits size to 6 square feet in residential districts. First Amendment protections limit content regulation.
Commercial drone operators must hold FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. McKeesport does not impose additional local commercial drone registration, but park/event use requires city permit.
Recreational drones governed by FAA Part 107 and PA Act 78 of 2018 (18 Pa.C.S. 3505). Registration required for drones over 0.55 lbs. McKeesport prohibits drone launch/landing in city parks without permit.
Mobile food vendors in McKeesport need an Allegheny County Health Department mobile food permit plus a city vendor license. Fixed-location operations need property owner consent.
McKeesport permits food truck vending in designated areas subject to city licensing. Vending within 100 ft of brick-and-mortar restaurants without consent is typically restricted.
Pennsylvania's minimum wage remains $7.25 per hour, matching the federal floor under the PA Minimum Wage Act (43 P.S. §333.101 et seq.). State law preempts local minimum wage ordinances — Philadelphia attempted a $10.88 city wage in 2014 that was struck down by Commonwealth Court. The tipped minimum is $2.83. Pennsylvania has not raised the state wage since 2009.
Pennsylvania does not have a statewide paid sick or family leave mandate, and state courts have largely permitted home-rule cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to adopt local paid sick leave laws.
Pennsylvania has no statewide predictive scheduling law and has not preempted municipal action, allowing Philadelphia's Fair Workweek Ordinance to require advance schedules and predictability pay for certain employers.
Pennsylvania is a shall-issue state requiring a License to Carry Firearms (LTCF) issued by the county sheriff for concealed carry or carry in a vehicle, with statewide rules under 18 Pa.C.S. Section 6109.
Pennsylvania law comprehensively preempts local regulation of firearms under 18 Pa.C.S. §6120. Cities and counties cannot regulate lawful ownership, possession, transfer, or transportation of firearms or ammunition. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown have all attempted local gun ordinances and lost in PA appellate courts.
Open carry of firearms is generally legal in Pennsylvania for adults 18 or older without a permit outside Philadelphia, but a License to Carry Firearms is required statewide for vehicle and concealed carry.
Under 18 Pa.C.S. Section 6106, carrying a firearm in a vehicle anywhere in Pennsylvania generally requires a valid License to Carry Firearms, with limited exceptions for unloaded transport between specified lawful locations.
Pennsylvania protects agricultural land through Agricultural Security Areas under Act 43 of 1981 and the Agricultural Area Security Law, working alongside municipal zoning to limit development pressure on working farms.
Pennsylvania's Right to Farm Act (Act 133 of 1982, 3 P.S. §951 et seq.) protects established agricultural operations from local nuisance lawsuits and overly restrictive municipal ordinances. Operations in existence for at least one year and following normal agricultural practices are presumed not to be a nuisance. Municipalities cannot enact ordinances that restrict normal ag activities.
Act 87 of 2024 ended Pennsylvania's multi-year moratorium preempting local plastic bag and single-use plastic ordinances, restoring municipal authority to regulate or ban single-use carryout bags.
Pennsylvania has no statewide ban on expanded polystyrene foam food containers, and after Act 87 of 2024 ended single-use plastic preemption local governments may regulate foam packaging.
Pennsylvania has no statewide ban or upon-request rule for plastic straws, and following the lapse of single-use plastic preemption in 2024 cities may again adopt straw-on-request or ban policies.
Pennsylvania Act 112 of 2019 raised the minimum age to purchase tobacco and e-cigarettes to 21, aligning with the federal Tobacco 21 law (Dec 2019). The state law covers all tobacco products including vapes, hookah, and nicotine pouches. Cities cannot lower the age, and flavored vape regulation is handled at the state retail license level.
Pennsylvania does not currently impose a statewide ban on flavored tobacco or menthol cigarettes, though federal FDA marketing rules restrict which flavored vape products and cigarettes can be lawfully sold.
Pennsylvania regulates electronic cigarettes and vape products under Act 84 of 2016, imposing a 40 percent wholesale tax on e-liquids and devices and requiring tobacco product retailers to comply with state Department of Revenue licensing.