Penn Hills, PA Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)
Construction hours in Penn Hills, PA, sometimes called construction noise rules or contractor work-hour ordinances, set when contractors can run power tools, hammers, and heavy equipment.
Key Facts
- Quiet hours
- 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Covered equipment
- Compressors, jackhammers, drills, excavators
- Exception
- Written permission from Municipal Manager
- Maximum fine
- $1,000 per violation
- Enforcement
- Police warning issued first
Summary
In the Municipality of Penn Hills, Allegheny County, construction and repair work using compressors, jackhammers, drills, or other loud equipment is banned between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless the Municipal Manager grants written permission.
Construction or Repair Activities. The performance of any construction or repair work of any kind upon, or excavating for, any building or structure, where any such work entails the use of any air compressor, jackhammer, power-driven drill, riveting machine, excavator, hand hammer on steel or iron, or any other machine, tool, device or equipment which makes loud noise shall be prohibited on any day between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The provisions of this subsection do not apply to any person, firm, partnership or corporation who performs any construction, repair or excavation pursuant to the express written permission of the Municipal Manager, or his designee. Upon receipt of a request, in writing, stating the reasons for the request and the facts upon which such reasons are based, the Municipal Manager, or his designee, may give permission if the activity is not otherwise prohibited by law or other regulation and he finds that:
A. The work proposed to be done is in the public interest; or
B. Hardship, or injustice or unreasonable delay would result from the interruption hereof during the hours and days specified above; or
C. The building or structure involved is devoted or intended to be devoted to a use immediately incidental to the public defense.
(4)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4434863; v5 updated 2025-07-21; through 07-21-2025).
Full Breakdown
The Municipality of Penn Hills's noise ordinance prohibits construction, repair, or excavation work that uses an air compressor, jackhammer, power-driven drill, riveting machine, excavator, hand hammer on steel or iron, or any other loud machine or tool between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., any day of the week. Contractors can seek written permission from the Municipal Manager for public-interest, hardship, or defense-related work, and can appeal a denial to the Board of Appeals within 10 days.
Violations & Fines
Violating the construction-noise curfew is punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and up to 30 days in jail under § 636.06; each day the violation continues is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can contractors get an exception to work at night in Penn Hills?
What happens on a first construction-noise complaint?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Penn Hills
How Penn Hills compares: Cities with the Strictest Construction Hours·Compare Penn Hills to another location·View the Pennsylvania noise ordinances overview
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Construction Hours in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Allegheny County handle construction hours.