Pop. 302,971 · Allegheny County
Pittsburgh regulates driveway construction, paving materials, and parking on unpaved surfaces. The Zoning Code sets standards for driveway width, curb cuts, and surface requirements.
Pittsburgh encourages EV charging through zoning incentives and a city facilities make-ready ordinance. Residential charger installation requires an electrical permit but generally no zoning variance.
Pittsburgh restricts overnight parking of oversized vehicles on residential streets between 10 PM and 7 AM. Standard cars may park overnight on most streets, but RPP zones require permits.
Pittsburgh caps home occupation traffic at six one-way vehicle trips per 24-hour day. All business parking must be off-street.
Pittsburgh exempts in-home child care for 3 or fewer children from home occupation rules. Larger operations need a PA DHS license and local Certificate of Occupancy.
PA regulates cottage food via its Limited Food Establishment program (Act 106). Pittsburgh producers register with PA Dept. of Agriculture for $35/year. No sales cap.
Pittsburgh requires a home occupation permit from the Division of Zoning and Development Review. Applicants must waive expansion rights under Chapter 912.
Pittsburgh prohibits signs for home occupations under Chapter 912. No visible evidence of a home business is allowed from the street or adjacent lots.
Pittsburgh Zoning Code Chapter 912 permits home occupations as accessory uses in residential districts. Only dwelling-unit residents may work in the business.
Pittsburgh permits 2 dehorned goats and up to 5 chickens/ducks on lots of 2,000+ sq ft. Horses, cattle, and pigs are prohibited in residential zones. $70 zoning permit required.
Pittsburgh allows up to 5 chickens or ducks on lots of 2,000+ sq ft, plus 1 bird per extra 1,000 sq ft. Roosters prohibited. Two dehorned goats permitted. $70 zoning permit required.
Pittsburgh does not legally require pet microchipping, but Animal Care and Control microchips every adopted animal and uses chip scans as the primary tool for reuniting strays with owners citywide.
Pittsburgh Title 5 caps the number of dogs and cats kept at a single residence to prevent nuisance conditions, with higher counts treated as a kennel requiring zoning approval under Title 9.
Pittsburgh treats animal hoarding as cruelty under Pennsylvania Title 18 §5532, with Animal Care and Control authorized to seize neglected animals and refer cases for prosecution by the Allegheny County District Attorney.
Pittsburgh does not require a city cat license, but cats running at large can trigger Title 5 nuisance enforcement, and rabies vaccination is mandatory under Pennsylvania law for any cat over twelve weeks of age.
Pittsburgh shelters and rescue partners must sterilize dogs and cats before adoption under Pennsylvania's Dog Purchaser Protection Act and Pittsburgh Animal Care and Control adoption policy, with limited medical exemptions.
Pittsburgh restricts retail pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs, cats, and rabbits, requiring sourcing from rescues or shelters under a 2021 ordinance modeled on Pennsylvania's evolving humane pet sale standards.
Pittsburgh Title 9 zoning permits veterinary clinics and animal hospitals in commercial and mixed-use districts subject to soundproofing, waste handling, and overnight boarding limits set through use-by-right or special exception review.
Wildlife rehabilitators operating in Pittsburgh must hold a Pennsylvania Game Commission permit under 34 Pa.C.S. §2901, with additional federal permits for migratory birds and Title 9 zoning compliance for rehabilitation facilities.
Pittsburgh participates in Lights Out programs to reduce migratory bird collisions, and federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act protections under 16 U.S.C. §703 apply to nest disturbance, supplemented by Game Commission rules for resident species.
Pittsburgh follows Pennsylvania Game Commission coyote policy under 34 Pa.C.S. with no city bounty or trapping program, focusing on hazing, secured trash, and reporting aggressive behavior to the Game Commission for case-by-case action.
Pittsburgh pet grooming businesses must hold a city business privilege license and comply with Title 9 zoning for animal services, with health and sanitation standards overseen by the Allegheny County Health Department.
Pittsburgh regulates wildlife feeding through City Code Ch. 636 and nuisance provisions. PA Game Commission regulation 58 Pa. Code 137.33 prohibits feeding certain wildlife statewide.
Pittsburgh permits up to 2 beehives on lots of at least 2,000 square feet (Chapter 473). State registration with the PA Department of Agriculture is required under PA Bee Law (3 P.S. §2101). If also keeping chickens/goats, the overall lot and combination rules apply.
Pittsburgh requires all dogs on public property to be on a leash no longer than six feet, held by a person able to control the dog, under City Code Ch. 633. Off-leash use is permitted only at city-designated dog parks. PA Dog Law requires annual county licensing for dogs three months and older.
Pennsylvania does not have a statewide ban on breed-specific legislation. Some PA municipalities have breed restrictions, though they face legal challenges.
Pennsylvania prohibits possession of exotic wildlife without a PA Game Commission permit (34 Pa.C.S. §2961). Pittsburgh's zoning code (Chapter 473) restricts farm animals and does not permit exotic/wild animals as pets. Only domestic animals and permitted livestock listed in the Use Regulations are allowed.
Pittsburgh allows fences of iron, wood, vinyl, stone, or brick. Barbed wire and razor wire are banned in residential areas. Chain-link with slat inserts is limited to GI industrial zones.
Pittsburgh requires a zoning permit for fences up to 6 feet and both zoning and building permits for taller fences. Floodplain fences need a building permit at any height. Apply via OneStopPGH.
Pittsburgh requires a barrier at least 48 inches high around all pools 24 inches or deeper. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching with latches at least 54 inches above grade.
Pittsburgh requires the finished side of a fence to face outward toward neighbors. Fences on shared property lines are co-owned with equal maintenance responsibility. Walls over 40 feet need visual relief.
Pittsburgh limits front-yard fences to 4 feet (open/ornamental only) and rear/side fences to 6 feet. Corner-lot fences within 20 feet of an intersection must stay under 3.5 feet for visibility.
Pittsburgh requires a building permit for retaining walls over 4 feet from lowest grade to top. Walls supporting a surcharge need a permit at any height. Engineered drawings required for taller walls.
Pittsburgh limits residential fence height to 3.5 feet in the front yard and 6 feet in side and rear yards under Zoning Code §912.04. Fences taller than 6 feet require a permit. Barbed wire and razor wire are prohibited in residential districts. Corner-lot sight triangles must remain clear.
Pittsburgh allows leaf blowers and power lawn equipment between 7 AM and 10 PM. Equipment must stay within the 65 dB(A) daytime residential limit at the property line under City Code Ch. 601.
Pittsburgh prohibits amplified music plainly audible at 75 feet from the source in residential zones. Daytime limit is 65 dB(A); nighttime drops to 55 dB(A) after 10 PM under City Code Ch. 601.
Pittsburgh sets residential noise at 65 dB(A) daytime and 55 dB(A) nighttime, commercial/industrial at 70/60 dB(A) at the nearest residential line. Measured per ANSI S1.4 A-weighting.
Pittsburgh caps industrial noise at 70 dB(A) daytime and 60 dB(A) nighttime at the nearest residential property line. Zoning Code Ch. 917 governs all land-use noise including manufacturing.
Outdoor music in Pittsburgh must not be plainly audible at 75 feet in residential areas. Events need special-event permits. The 65/55 dB(A) day/night limits apply to all outdoor sound.
Pittsburgh enforces nighttime quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM under Title VI, Chapter 601 of the City Code. Maximum sound at a residential property line is 60 dBA during daytime and 50 dBA at night. Continuous unreasonable noise is prohibited at any time of day.
Persistent barking dogs that exceed Pittsburgh's noise limits (65 dB day / 55 dB night) are prohibited under §916.06. PA Dog Law (3 P.S. §459) requires annual dog licensing through Allegheny County. Animal nuisance complaints may be filed with Pittsburgh Animal Care & Control.
Pittsburgh permits construction noise audible at residential property between 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM weekdays and 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Saturdays. Sunday and holiday construction near residences is prohibited absent a PLI special permit. Heavy equipment beyond 70 dBA at the property line requires additional noise mitigation.
Aircraft noise is federally preempted under the FAA Act (49 U.S.C. §40103). Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is located in Moon Township, Allegheny County. Allegheny County Airport Authority operates a noise compatibility program. Local ordinances cannot restrict flight paths or operations.
Vehicle noise enforced under PA Vehicle Code Title 75 §4523 (muffler required) statewide. No countywide Allegheny ordinance. Loud exhaust, modified mufflers, and engine braking restrictions fall on municipal police and PA State Police.
Pittsburgh permits carports as accessory structures under Zoning Code Ch. 912. Carports go in rear and side yards only; front-yard placement is generally prohibited. Building permit required.
Pittsburgh allows permanent tiny homes on foundations meeting PA UCC standards. ADUs up to 1,000 sq ft and 15 ft tall are permitted. Minimum habitable room is 70 sq ft. Homes on wheels are not allowed.
Pittsburgh permits Accessory Dwelling Units under Pittsburgh Code Title 9 (Zoning Code) Section 911.04.A.10. ADUs are permitted as accessory uses in many residential districts (R1A, R1D, R2, R3) subject to dimensional standards. Building, electrical, and plumbing permits are filed through the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections (PLI) via OneStopPGH.
Pittsburgh requires a Rental Registration for all rental units including ADUs under Pittsburgh Code Title 7 Chapter 781. Pennsylvania Act 50 (1990) preempts municipal rent control. Short-term rentals are regulated under Title 7 Sec. 781.07 and require separate registration. ADU long-term rentals have no minimum lease term beyond Pennsylvania Landlord-Tenant Act defaults.
Pittsburgh does not require owner-occupancy for ADUs under Title 9. The city imposes no residency restriction on ADU property owners. HOAs governed by the Pennsylvania Uniform Planned Community Act (UPCA, 68 Pa.C.S. 5101) may impose owner-occupancy through covenants. Most Pittsburgh row-house and bungalow lots are fee-simple without HOAs.
Pittsburgh does not impose municipal development impact fees on residential ADUs. Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code Section 503-A authorizes impact fees only for transportation improvements, and Pittsburgh has not enacted any. PLI permit fees are scaled to construction value. Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) tap fees apply only if new water/sewer service is needed.
Pittsburgh requires building permits for sheds and accessory structures. Permit fees range from $50–$300. Sheds, lean-tos, carports, playhouses, and similar structures are permitted accessory uses under Pittsburgh Zoning Code Chapter 912. Location, setback, and size restrictions apply per zoning district.
Garage conversions to living space in Pittsburgh require a building permit and PA UCC compliance. Zoning approval (Certificate of Occupancy) is required if the use changes to habitable space. Additional parking must be considered when a garage is removed from its parking function.
Pittsburgh allows ADUs in ADU Overlay Districts and certain residential zones. As of December 2024, draft ADU legislation was before the Planning Commission to expand ADU rights. Minimum lot size of approximately 10,000 sq ft commonly required. PA UCC permits and inspections required. ADUs must connect to public water/sewer.
Pittsburgh backyard fires are limited to 3x3x2 feet, at least 15 feet from structures, burning only clean wood or gas. All fires banned on ACHD Air Quality Action Days.
Pittsburgh requires interconnected smoke alarms on every level, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas. CO alarms are required near fuel-burning appliances and attached garages under the PA UCC.
Pittsburgh has no wildfire hazard zones or WUI designation. Allegheny County is classified as low wildfire risk by PA DCNR. Standard fire prevention codes apply citywide.
Pittsburgh has no wildfire-specific brush clearance rules. Property owners must keep yards free of excessive vegetation and debris under the IPMC property maintenance code.
Pittsburgh follows the International Fire Code and NFPA 58 as adopted under Pennsylvania UCC, capping residential propane cylinder storage and requiring permits for larger tanks, with Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire enforcing on-site.
Recreational fire pits using clean-burning fuel (wood, propane, natural gas) are permitted in Pittsburgh under ACHD rules. Fires must be at least 15 feet from structures, neighboring properties, and public access areas. Fires must be extinguished by midnight. Earthen pits and burn barrels are not approved containers.
PA Act 74 of 2022 allows consumer fireworks for residents 18+. Pittsburgh follows state law: consumer fireworks legal but must be 150 feet from any occupied structure. Municipalities may restrict hours to 10 PM–10 AM (except July 4 and Dec 31 until 1 AM). Large displays require city permit and fire dept. inspection.
Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) regulations prohibit most open burning in Pittsburgh and surrounding municipalities. Only clean wood, propane, or natural gas may be burned with negligible air contaminant contribution. Permitted ACHD exceptions: ceremonies, disease management, firefighting training.
Pittsburgh Code Section 609.08 permits Managed Natural Landscapes including native gardens, rain gardens, and pollinator gardens on private property. Owners must register with the city and maintain defined borders.
Pittsburgh Chapter 609 declares noxious weeds like ragweed and poison ivy a public nuisance. Owners must cut and destroy all noxious weeds. The city may abate after 5 days notice.
Pittsburgh Code Chapter 483 requires property owners to trim private trees overhanging public streets or obstructing streetlights. The Department of Public Works enforces with 10 days notice.
Rainwater harvesting is legal in Pittsburgh and encouraged under the city stormwater program. Pennsylvania has no restrictions on collecting rainwater for non-potable residential use.
Pittsburgh has no ordinance prohibiting artificial turf on residential properties. Synthetic lawns are permitted under zoning standards but may be subject to HOA restrictions.
Pittsburgh Code Chapter 609 and IPMC 302.4 prohibit grass and weeds exceeding 10 inches. Owners must mow and remove cuttings. Noxious weeds like ragweed are separately banned.
Pittsburgh has no standing outdoor watering ban. PA Code Chapter 119 authorizes restrictions only during declared drought emergencies. Pgh2O may impose temporary limits during supply shortages.
Pittsburgh requires permits for tree work on publicly owned property (City Forester). Private property tree removal rules are less strict but historic districts and overlay zones may have additional requirements. Large tree removals near rights-of-way should be coordinated with Pittsburgh Public Works.
Above-ground pools in Pittsburgh 24+ inches deep need a building permit. Pool walls 48 inches high can serve as the barrier if the ladder is secured.
Pittsburgh requires a building permit for any pool, spa, or hot tub 24+ inches deep. Permits issued by the Bureau of Building Inspection under PA UCC.
Pittsburgh pools must meet PA ISPSC safety standards and the federal VGB Act requiring anti-entrapment drain covers on pool and spa drains.
Hot tubs in Pittsburgh need a building permit if 24+ inches deep. A lockable ASTM F1346 safety cover can replace the full perimeter barrier.
Pittsburgh enforces the PA-adopted ISPSC requiring a 48-inch minimum barrier around all pools 24+ inches deep. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching.
Pittsburgh's limited-lodging framework distinguishes between owner-occupied dwellings and dedicated rentals, with zoning rules favoring operators using their primary residence as a short-term rental.
Pittsburgh's 2018 short-term rental ordinance does not impose a uniform host-presence rule, but unhosted whole-home rentals must still meet permit, life-safety, and zoning requirements before listing online.
Stays of thirty consecutive days or more shift a Pittsburgh dwelling out of the limited-lodging short-term rental framework and into ordinary residential leasing under the Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act.
Pittsburgh's Permits, Licenses, and Inspections bureau may suspend or revoke a limited-lodging license when an operator accumulates repeated nuisance, occupancy, or life-safety violations at the same short-term rental property.
Online booking platforms collect Pittsburgh and Allegheny County hotel-occupancy taxes on bookings, and city ordinance trends push platforms toward verifying license numbers before publishing limited-lodging listings.
Pittsburgh Chapter 781 requires all STR operators to obtain a Rental Permit through PLI at $35.50/unit. Properties must pass inspection. Enforcement began June 2025 with $500/unit/month fines.
Pittsburgh does not mandate liability insurance for STR operators by ordinance. Operators should maintain property and liability coverage as platform host protection has exclusions.
Pittsburgh does not impose any annual night caps or maximum rental day limits on short-term rental properties. Operators may rent their properties year-round without a cap on the number of nights per year.
Pittsburgh has no STR-specific parking mandates. Guests follow standard residential parking rules. Some neighborhoods require residential parking permits unavailable to short-term guests.
Pittsburgh has no STR-specific occupancy caps. Maximum occupancy follows the IPMC based on room sizes and egress. No per-bedroom guest limits exist citywide.
Pittsburgh STR guests must comply with the city noise ordinance under Chapter 601 and Title Nine Article XVI. Quiet hours run from 10 PM to 6 AM with residential limits of 55 dB(A) nighttime and 65 dB(A) daytime.
Pittsburgh's 2021 STR ordinance requires every short-term rental host to register with the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI), pay an annual license fee, and post the license number on every listing. STRs in residential zones must be the operator's primary residence; investment STRs are limited to mixed-use and commercial districts.
STR operators in Pittsburgh must collect and remit: 6% PA Hotel Occupancy Tax (72 P.S. §7209), plus 7% Allegheny County Hotel Room Rental Tax. Total effective STR tax rate: approximately 13%. Booking platforms (Airbnb, VRBO) collect and remit the PA state tax as booking agents.
Pittsburgh property owners must maintain, repair, and replace sidewalks and curbs adjacent to their property under Chapter 417. A DOMI sidewalk repair permit is required before work begins.
Pittsburgh prohibits obstructions in the public right-of-way without a DOMI permit. No harmful materials or vehicles may be placed on sidewalks. Sidewalk parking banned under PA Vehicle Code 3353.
Pittsburgh operates a free Rodent Baiting Program and enforces pest control through its property maintenance code. Landlords must maintain pest-free rentals under PA habitability law.
Pittsburgh requires a Construction Staging Permit from DOMI for scaffolding in the public right-of-way. Scaffolds must comply with OSHA standards. A compliance inspection is required.
Pittsburgh enforces the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code IBC and IRC sprinkler triggers, requiring NFPA 13 or 13R systems for most new multi-family, high-rise, and commercial buildings under Title 10 plan review.
Pittsburgh follows IBC Chapter 10 egress hardware rules under Title 10, requiring single-action unlatching, panic hardware on assembly and educational uses, and prohibitions on chains or thumb-turn locks that block escape.
Pittsburgh advances green building through Title 10 energy provisions tied to Pennsylvania UCC IECC adoption and the city's Climate Action Plan 3.0, with city-funded projects subject to higher LEED-equivalent benchmarks.
Pittsburgh has strict lead safety rules under Code Chapter 782. All pre-1978 rental dwellings must undergo lead hazard inspections. PA Act 36 requires seller/landlord disclosure.
Elevator safety in Pittsburgh is regulated by PA state law under 34 Pa. Code Chapter 405. The Department of Labor and Industry has sole jurisdiction over inspections and certificates.
Pittsburgh's Title 6 Section 659 prohibits landlords from refusing applicants because their income comes from Section 8 vouchers, Social Security, veterans benefits, or other lawful non-wage sources, expanding fair-housing protections beyond federal law.
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh administers Housing Choice Vouchers funded by HUD, inspecting units, executing HAP contracts, and partnering with city enforcement on habitability and source-of-income protections.
Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act caps security deposits at two months' rent during the first year and one month's rent thereafter, with mandatory escrow interest and a thirty-day refund window after lease termination.
Pittsburgh's 2022 Right-to-Counsel pilot funds free legal representation for low-income tenants facing eviction, deterring landlord harassment, illegal lockouts, and retaliatory filings that would otherwise pressure tenants to leave.
Pittsburgh has no broad municipal relocation-assistance ordinance for displaced renters, though federal Uniform Relocation Act payments may apply when government-funded projects or condemnations cause displacement of lawful tenants.
Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act, not a Pittsburgh ordinance, controls no-fault tenancy terminations, requiring written notice tied to lease length and a magisterial district court judgment before any lockout.
Pennsylvania court rulings have effectively preempted local rent regulation, so Pittsburgh has no formal pass-through framework, and landlords negotiate utility, tax, and capital pass-throughs through the lease itself.
Pennsylvania state law preempts local rent control ordinances. Pittsburgh does not have rent control or rent stabilization regulations. Landlords may set and increase rents at market rates with proper notice. The Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act governs landlord-tenant relations statewide.
Pittsburgh does not have a just cause eviction ordinance. Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law allows landlords to terminate tenancies for various reasons including non-payment and lease violations. Month-to-month tenancies may be terminated with proper notice without stating a specific cause. Evictions must follow Pennsylvania's judicial process through the local magistrate court.
Pittsburgh launched its Residential Housing Rental Permit Program in December 2024 through the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections. All rental properties must be registered with the city. The program is designed to ensure rental properties meet basic health and safety standards through regular inspections and compliance verification.
Allegheny County Health Department inspects Pittsburgh food facilities under Article III rules; consolidated 2024 absorption of city Health Department centralized food-safety enforcement countywide and posts inspection results online for public review.
Pittsburgh property owners must keep premises free of rats and harborage; ACHD and Bureau of Building Inspection enforce abatement, requiring baiting, trash containment, and structural repairs in older Pittsburgh neighborhoods like Bloomfield, Lawrenceville, and the Hill District.
Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law plus Pittsburgh property maintenance code make rental owners responsible for bed bug remediation; tenants must report infestations promptly, and ACHD investigates habitability complaints in multi-unit buildings citywide.
Pittsburgh supports syringe service programs through Prevention Point Pittsburgh, and ACHD provides sharps disposal kiosks; residents must place used syringes in rigid containers, never loose trash, to protect sanitation workers and the public.
ACHD Article III requires every Pittsburgh food facility to designate a Certified Food Protection Manager on staff during operating hours; certification comes from ANSI-accredited programs like ServSafe and must be renewed every five years.
Pittsburgh has not adopted a general sit-lie ordinance criminalizing sitting or lying on public sidewalks, instead relying on existing Title 6 conduct rules around obstruction, aggressive panhandling, and Downtown clean-streets enforcement.
Pittsburgh coordinates encampment sanitation through the Department of Public Works, the Office of Community Health and Safety, and Allegheny County outreach providers, with notice protocols and personal-property storage rules guiding cleanups.
Bridge housing in Pittsburgh runs through the Allegheny County Continuum of Care, which coordinates emergency shelter, low-barrier sites, and rapid-rehousing slots paired with HACP voucher set-asides for households exiting encampments.
Pennsylvania Act 112 of 2020 raised the legal tobacco purchase age to 21 statewide under 35 P.S. §6303, fully preempting local age rules; Pittsburgh retailers must verify ID for buyers under 30 and face state license penalties for underage sales.
Pennsylvania licenses e-cigarette and vape retailers through the Department of Revenue under the Tobacco Products Tax Act; Pittsburgh shops must maintain state licensure, follow Tobacco 21 rules, and face Clean Indoor Air Act limits on indoor vaping in enclosed workplaces.
Pennsylvania has no statewide flavored tobacco or vape ban beyond federal FDA action on certain cartridge flavors; Pittsburgh has not enacted local flavor restrictions, leaving menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars, and flavored vape liquids broadly available citywide.
Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act requires medical dispensaries to sit at least 1,000 feet from schools and daycare centers; Pittsburgh zoning Title 9 layers additional residential and park buffers, sharply limiting eligible parcels citywide.
Pennsylvania allows licensed medical dispensaries to deliver cannabis directly to certified patients and caregivers; Pittsburgh follows state rules without local additions, and only registered patients with valid ID cards may receive deliveries.
Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act bans home cultivation by patients; all medical cannabis must come from licensed dispensaries, and Pittsburgh cannot legalize personal grows because state law fully preempts the question regardless of Ord. 2015-2070.
Pittsburgh zoning Title 9, Chapter 911, designates which districts permit medical dispensaries and grower-processor facilities; most dispensaries fall under Local Neighborhood Commercial or Urban Industrial districts subject to special exception review.
Pennsylvania has not legalized recreational cannabis. Home cultivation of cannabis is illegal in Pennsylvania for both recreational and medical purposes. Medical marijuana patients may purchase from licensed dispensaries but cannot grow their own plants. Possession of cannabis without a medical card remains a criminal offense under state law.
Pennsylvania regulates medical marijuana dispensary locations through the Department of Health. Dispensaries must be licensed by the state and comply with local zoning regulations. Pittsburgh's zoning code addresses where medical marijuana dispensaries may locate, with buffer zones from schools and other sensitive uses. Only state-licensed operators may open dispensaries.
Pennsylvania Act 14 of 2024 partially preempts local plastic bag ordinances, complicating Pittsburgh's path to a citywide ban; existing bag-fee proposals stalled, and retailers continue offering single-use carryout bags absent statewide action or new legislative authority.
Pittsburgh has no citywide ban on polystyrene foam containers for retail or restaurants; city government procurement policies discourage foam in municipal facilities, and the Climate Action Plan 3.0 targets foam phase-out as a sustainability goal rather than a mandate.
Pittsburgh has no binding plastic straw ban; restaurants citywide continue offering straws by default. ADA accessibility concerns and partial state preemption have kept any on-request-only mandate in proposal stage rather than enacted code.
Pittsburgh adopted Climate Action Plan 3.0 in 2018 committing the city to carbon-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with 2030 interim targets covering buildings, transportation, energy, and waste sectors citywide.
Pennsylvania's Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicle Idling Act and Pittsburgh enforcement limit diesel truck and bus idling to five minutes per hour, with school-zone and residential adjacency restrictions enforced by Pittsburgh Police and ACHD.
Pittsburgh has not banned gas-powered leaf blowers but restricts use through general noise ordinance decibel limits and quiet-hours rules. Council has discussed phase-outs but no city-wide gasoline equipment ban currently exists.
Pittsburgh's sustainable procurement policy requires city departments to prioritize Energy Star, recycled-content, low-VOC, and locally sourced goods aligned with Climate Action Plan 3.0 carbon-neutrality goals across municipal operations and contracted services.
Pittsburgh encourages cool roofs via the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code adopted statewide and local stormwater credits. There is no mandatory cool-roof reflectivity standard for low-rise residential, but commercial roofs face IECC compliance.
Pittsburgh enforces stormwater management regulations through its municipal code and the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA). New development and significant redevelopment must implement on-site stormwater controls including retention, detention, or infiltration systems. The city is currently updating its stormwater code to align with green infrastructure and resiliency goals through the Stormwater Code and Ordinance Review process.
Pittsburgh requires grading permits for earthwork and land-disturbing activities. The city's steep terrain and hillside geography make proper grading and drainage critical. The zoning code includes hillside development regulations requiring geotechnical review for construction on steep slopes. Grading plans must be submitted to the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections.
Pittsburgh is an inland city at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers with no ocean coastline. Coastal development regulations do not apply. Riverfront development is regulated through the city's floodplain management ordinance, zoning overlays, and riverfront development standards.
Pittsburgh participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and enforces floodplain development regulations for properties in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas. The three rivers and numerous streams present significant flood risks. Structures in flood zones must be elevated above base flood elevation and a floodplain development permit is required.
Pittsburgh requires erosion and sediment control measures on construction sites under its grading and excavation regulations. Projects disturbing one acre or more must obtain coverage under Pennsylvania's NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges (PAG-02) and implement an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan approved by the Allegheny County Conservation District.
PWSA customers must report visible water leaks, broken hydrants, water main breaks, and sewer backups promptly via PWSA's 24-hour emergency line. Property owners face responsibility for service-line leaks from the curb stop to the building.
Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA), the separate municipal authority serving the city, does not impose seasonal day-of-week lawn-watering bans. PWSA encourages voluntary conservation and may issue advisories during drought declarations.
Pittsburgh has no municipal purple-pipe recycled water system. Reuse focuses on stormwater capture, rain barrels, and graywater for irrigation. PA DEP regulates beneficial reuse of treated wastewater under Title 25 Chapter 92a permits.
Pittsburgh's land use is governed by Title 9 Zoning Code adopted 2002 and continually amended. The code establishes base districts, overlay districts, neighborhood plans, and specific Riverfront, Hill District, and Oakland zoning overlays.
Pittsburgh's Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance (Ord. 2019-0696, Title 9 Chapter 907) requires 10% affordable units in qualifying developments and offers density bonuses, parking reductions, and dimensional waivers in exchange for deeper affordability commitments.
Pittsburgh promotes transit-oriented development along Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) light rail (the former T) and Bus Rapid Transit corridors through reduced parking minimums, mixed-use overlays, and density bonuses, particularly in Downtown, Oakland, and East Liberty.
Pittsburgh's Urban Forest Master Plan and CAP 3.0 prioritize tree canopy investment in low-canopy and environmental-justice neighborhoods such as Hill District, Hazelwood, and Homewood, partnering with Tree Pittsburgh and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
Pittsburgh regulates tree removal on city property and in the public right-of-way through its shade tree program. Street tree removal requires city approval through the Department of Public Works. Private property tree removal may be subject to conditions during development review, particularly for significant trees.
Pittsburgh may require tree replacement when street trees are removed during development or infrastructure projects. The Department of Public Works oversees replacement requirements. TreePittsburgh partners with the city on tree planting initiatives to expand the urban canopy.
Pittsburgh does not have a formal heritage or landmark tree ordinance. Large and mature trees may receive consideration during development review. The city's urban forestry program and TreePittsburgh nonprofit promote tree preservation and canopy expansion but do not designate individual heritage trees.
Pittsburgh maintains bike lanes, protected cycle tracks, and shared-lane markings under Title 5 and Title 6. POGOH bikeshare stations operate citywide with required helmet recommendations. Cyclists follow PA Title 75 motor vehicle code on roadways.
Pittsburgh's shared electric scooter pilot operated under Pennsylvania House Bill 140 of 2021 and Act 154 special exemption legalizing motorized scooters in the city only. Riders must follow bike-lane rules, observe 15 mph speed caps, and avoid sidewalks.
Pittsburgh's Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) manages curb regulations including metered parking, loading zones, residential permit parking, ride-hail pickup, and POGOH bikeshare docks under Title 5 and Title 6 of the city code.
Massage establishments in Pittsburgh require a city business license, individual practitioner certification through Pennsylvania's State Board of Massage Therapy, and zoning compliance under Title 9. Anti-trafficking inspections and posting requirements apply to all bodywork businesses.
Secondhand goods dealers and pawnbrokers in Pittsburgh must hold a Pennsylvania pawnbroker license and a city business privilege license, plus report transactions through Pittsburgh Bureau of Police's electronic database to support stolen-property recovery.
Tobacco retailers in Pittsburgh must hold a Pennsylvania Department of Revenue cigarette dealer license and a Pittsburgh business privilege license. The Allegheny County Health Department also requires tobacco-permit registration with annual inspections and youth-access compliance checks.
Adult entertainment businesses in Pittsburgh require a special-use zoning approval under Title 9 plus a city business license. Buffer distances from schools, churches, parks, and residential districts apply, and the city enforces strict signage and operational standards.
Pittsburgh hotel guests pay a layered tax: 7% Allegheny County hotel room excise tax plus 6% Pennsylvania state sales tax, totaling roughly 13% on lodging. Operators collect monthly and remit to county treasurer.
Pittsburgh's Living Wage Ordinance, Title 1 Chapter 161, requires city contractors and subsidized employers to pay above the Pennsylvania $7.25 minimum. The rate adjusts annually based on Allegheny County cost-of-living data published by the city.
The Pittsburgh Paid Sick Days Act, Ordinance 2015-1518, requires employers to provide accrued paid sick leave. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the ordinance in 2019, making Pittsburgh the first PA city with mandatory paid sick leave.
Pennsylvania law sets the minimum wage at the federal floor of $7.25 per hour and preempts cities from raising it locally. Pittsburgh cannot enact a higher general minimum wage despite repeated council efforts and statewide debate.
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.
Smoking is prohibited inside virtually all Pittsburgh workplaces, restaurants, and public accommodations under Pennsylvania's Clean Indoor Air Act of 2008. Pittsburgh layers local rules covering city parks, playgrounds, and outdoor stadium plazas.
Pennsylvania prohibits open alcoholic containers in public, and Pittsburgh Code reinforces the ban on streets, sidewalks, parks, and city right-of-way. Limited exceptions exist for licensed sidewalk cafes, parade-route permits, and Strip District festival districts.
Pittsburgh prohibits aggressive panhandling under Pittsburgh Code Title 6, banning solicitation that involves physical contact, following, blocking, or soliciting near ATMs, transit stops, and outdoor cafes. Passive sign-holding remains constitutionally protected speech.
Loud parties violate Pittsburgh's noise ordinance and may trigger social-host liability when underage drinking occurs. Police can issue citations, disperse gatherings, and bill repeat-offender properties for response costs in Oakland and South Side districts.
Pittsburgh's loitering ordinance applies narrowly after Pennsylvania and federal court rulings struck down vague public-presence laws. The current rule targets specific conduct like drug-market loitering and obstructing pedestrian flow rather than mere standing in public.
Pittsburgh's Welcoming City policy, established by mayoral executive order and reinforced by City Council, limits Pittsburgh Bureau of Police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Officers do not detain residents on civil ICE detainers absent a judicial warrant.
Pennsylvania's Public Works Employment Verification Act (43 P.S. Section 167.1 et seq.) requires public works contractors and subcontractors statewide to enroll in and use the federal E-Verify system to confirm work authorization for new employees.
Pittsburgh requires building and electrical permits for solar panel installations. The Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections reviews applications for residential and commercial solar systems. Pittsburgh has been recognized as a solar-friendly city and supports renewable energy through its Climate Action Plan.
Pennsylvania does not have a specific solar rights act limiting HOA authority over solar installations like some states. HOAs in Pittsburgh may impose restrictions on solar panel placement and aesthetics through their covenants. However, unreasonable restrictions that effectively ban solar may face legal challenge. Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act supports renewable energy development.
Pittsburgh HOAs may require architectural review for exterior modifications under their declaration. PA law (68 Pa.C.S. Ch. 53) requires that review criteria be published and applied uniformly.
PA law (68 Pa.C.S. Ch. 53) governs HOA assessments in Pittsburgh. Associations may levy regular and special assessments, and unpaid assessments create a statutory lien that can lead to foreclosure.
Pittsburgh HOAs enforce CC&Rs through violation notices, fines, and statutory liens under PA's UPCA (68 Pa.C.S. Ch. 53). Due process is required before imposing penalties.
Pittsburgh HOA board procedures are governed by PA's Uniform Planned Community Act (68 Pa.C.S. Ch. 53). State law mandates open meetings, annual meetings, quorum rules, and election procedures.
PA encourages but does not mandate mediation for HOA disputes. The Attorney General has UPCA oversight. Pittsburgh residents may use Allegheny County courts to resolve conflicts.
Pittsburgh has no specific smoker ordinance, but the Allegheny County Health Department Article XXI (Air Pollution Control Regulations) prohibits visible emissions over 20% opacity. Pittsburgh Code Chapter 619 prohibits open burning in residential areas; enclosed smokers are generally exempt. Code Red and Code Orange air quality days trigger ACHD restrictions on residential combustion.
Pittsburgh requires building permits for outdoor kitchens with gas lines, electrical wiring, plumbing, or structural roofs. Trade permits are filed through PLI's OneStopPGH portal. Standalone freestanding grills require no permit. Historic district properties require Historic Review Commission approval. Rowhouse rear yards face setback challenges.
Pittsburgh Fire Code under Title 1004 adopts the International Fire Code with Pennsylvania amendments. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas tanks over 1 lb on combustible balconies of multi-family buildings with three or more units. Charcoal grills must be 10 feet from combustible buildings. Dense rowhouse neighborhoods often cannot meet the 10-foot clearance.
Pittsburgh has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Size, lighting, and blower noise are governed by HOA and condo covenants under PA UCA and UPCA. Pittsburgh Code Title 6 Chapter 601 noise limits (Noise Control) could theoretically apply to blower motors but are rarely enforced for seasonal decorations. Best-display neighborhoods include Mount Lebanon-adjacent areas and Brookline.
Pittsburgh has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Display timing, brightness, and animation are governed by HOA and condo covenants under PA UCA (68 Pa.C.S. 3101) and UPCA (68 Pa.C.S. 5101). Historic district properties may have informal neighborhood association guidelines. Pittsburgh's iconic Light Up Night is a city celebration, not a regulation of private displays.
Pittsburgh has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments on residential property. Title 1003 Property Maintenance Code requires general property upkeep but does not address ornament content. Historic district properties (Mexican War Streets, Manchester, Allegheny West, others) may have Historic Review Commission appearance review for permanent installations. HOA and condo covenants commonly regulate ornaments.
Pittsburgh provides weekly curbside trash and recycling collection through the Department of Public Works, Environmental Services Division. Residents receive city-issued bins. Collection days vary by neighborhood. Trash must be in approved containers placed at the curb by the morning of collection day.
Pittsburgh requires trash and recycling bins to be placed at the curb with lids closed on collection day. Bins must not block sidewalks or create obstructions. After pickup, bins must be returned to their storage location. The city's narrow streets and steep terrain may affect placement options in some neighborhoods.
Pittsburgh provides curbside single-stream recycling collection. Residents should separate recyclable materials including paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, and metal cans into the recycling bin. Pennsylvania's Act 101 requires municipalities with populations over 10,000 to provide curbside recycling collection.
Pittsburgh offers bulk item pickup services through its Environmental Services Division. Residents can request collection of large items such as furniture, appliances, and mattresses. Items must be placed at the curb on the scheduled date. Illegal dumping is a violation subject to fines and prosecution.
Commercial drone operations in Pittsburgh require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Operators must comply with Part 107 rules. LAANC authorization is typically needed due to proximity to Pittsburgh International Airport. Pittsburgh has a growing drone industry with research and development at Carnegie Mellon University and local startups.
Recreational drone use in Pittsburgh is governed by FAA regulations. Pilots must register drones with the FAA, fly below 400 feet, and maintain visual line of sight. Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Airport create controlled airspace zones requiring LAANC authorization for drone flights in certain areas.
Pittsburgh requires food trucks to obtain a mobile vendor license and a health permit from the Allegheny County Health Department. Food trucks must pass a health inspection and operate from an approved commissary. The city has a growing food truck scene with regular events and designated vending areas.
Pittsburgh regulates where food trucks may operate under Chapter 719 of the City Code (Vendors and Peddlers), as comprehensively rewritten by Ordinances 34 and 35 of 2025 (signed November 2025, effective November 19, 2025). Mobile vendors must operate from locations approved by the License Officer in the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI), and the four-hour-per-spot limit and 150-foot competitive-distance rule are the core zone controls.
Pittsburgh requires door-to-door solicitors and peddlers to obtain a permit from the city. Applicants must submit to a background check and carry their permit while soliciting. Solicitation hours are restricted to reasonable daytime hours. The permit must be displayed upon request by residents or police.
Pittsburgh honors no-soliciting signs posted at residences. Solicitors who ignore a no-soliciting sign may be cited. Residents can post a sign to opt out of door-to-door sales visits. Religious and political canvassing is generally exempt under First Amendment protections.
Pittsburgh city parks are generally closed from dusk or a posted closing time until dawn. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and city manage park hours. Entry into parks during closed hours is a violation subject to citation. Some parks may have extended hours for specific programs or events.
Pittsburgh enforces a juvenile curfew under Chapter 601 of the Municipal Code (Public Order). Minors under 18 are prohibited from being in public places during designated nighttime hours. Exceptions include minors accompanied by a parent or guardian, traveling to or from work, and attending supervised activities.
Pittsburgh establishes building setback requirements through the Unified Development Code and Zoning Ordinance (Title 10). Setbacks vary by zoning district and include front, side, and rear yard requirements. The zoning code specifies minimum setbacks for residential, commercial, and industrial zones. Variances may be obtained through the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Pittsburgh regulates building heights through its zoning code. Maximum heights vary by zoning district. Residential zones generally limit buildings to 35 feet. Downtown and commercial zones allow significantly taller structures. The city's varied topography means height may be measured differently on hillside lots.
Pittsburgh limits lot coverage through its zoning code. Maximum lot coverage varies by zoning district. All structures including accessory buildings count toward lot coverage calculations. The zoning code includes impervious surface limits in some districts to manage stormwater runoff.
Pittsburgh limits the frequency of garage sales to distinguish between occasional residential sales and ongoing commercial operations. Exceeding a reasonable number of sales per year may result in zoning enforcement. The city treats frequent sales as commercial activity prohibited in residential zones.
Pittsburgh restricts garage sales to reasonable daytime hours. Sales must not create noise disturbances or excessive traffic congestion in the neighborhood. Each sale event is limited in duration to prevent ongoing commercial activity at residential properties.
Pittsburgh allows residential garage and yard sales without requiring a specific permit for occasional sales. Sales must be conducted on the resident's own property and comply with property maintenance and sign regulations. Ongoing or frequent sales may constitute commercial activity requiring different permitting.
Pittsburgh regulates trash container storage and placement through its property maintenance code. Bins must be stored out of public view when not set out for collection. The city provides curbside collection and residents must follow placement guidelines for their designated collection day.
Pittsburgh requires owners of vacant lots and properties to maintain them free of weeds, rubbish, and debris. Overgrown vegetation must be kept below specified heights. The city may issue citations and abate nuisance conditions on unmaintained vacant properties, with costs assessed to the property owner as a lien.
Pittsburgh allows residential garage and yard sales subject to general property maintenance and zoning regulations. Sales must be conducted on private property and items may not be displayed on sidewalks or in the public right-of-way. Frequent sales may be treated as unpermitted commercial activity in residential zones.
Pittsburgh enforces property maintenance and anti-blight regulations through its Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections. Properties must be maintained free of rubbish, overgrown vegetation, and structural deterioration. The city uses its condemned structures program for severely blighted buildings and may pursue demolition of unsafe structures.
Pittsburgh property owners must remove snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours of the storm ending. The cleared path must run the full sidewalk width. Where ice cannot be removed, salt, sand, or ash must be applied. Code enforcement issues citations to owners who fail to comply.
Pittsburgh addresses light trespass through its nuisance regulations and zoning code. Commercial and industrial lighting must be directed to minimize spillover onto neighboring residential properties. Complaints about excessive lighting may be filed with the city's code enforcement program.
Pittsburgh does not have a dedicated dark sky ordinance. Outdoor lighting is regulated through zoning code provisions and building standards. Commercial development must comply with lighting standards that may include shielding and cutoff requirements. Residential outdoor lighting is subject to general nuisance standards.
Pittsburgh's sign regulations must comply with First Amendment protections for political speech. Political signs on private residential property are generally permitted. The city cannot impose content-based restrictions on political signs. Size and placement regulations apply on a content-neutral basis.
Pittsburgh regulates temporary signs including garage sale signs. Signs may be placed on private property but are generally prohibited in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, and on city property. Signs must be removed after the sale ends. The city's code enforcement may remove signs placed in prohibited locations.
Pittsburgh does not impose specific restrictions on residential holiday displays beyond general safety requirements. Holiday lights and decorations on private property are permitted. Displays must not create electrical or fire hazards or obstruct the public right-of-way. Historic district properties may have additional considerations for exterior modifications.
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.