Pittsburgh, PA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Max grass/weed height
- 6 inches
- Compliance notice period
- 5 days
- Individual fine
- Up to $15 + costs
- Commercial/multi-family fine
- $50–$500 + costs
- Enforcing department
- Dept. of Public Works
Summary
Pittsburgh requires every owner or occupant to keep grass and weeds under six inches on their real estate, including vacant lots, or face notice, city abatement, and fines up to $500 for commercial properties.
It shall be the duty of every owner or occupant of real estate within the City at all times to cut and destroy noxious weeds as required and poison ivy, and to mow the grass and other weeds on their respective lots, and in the lawn space adjacent to curb lines along the front, rear and side lot lines thereof, so that neither grass nor weeds shall grow above the height of six (6) inches, and every owner or occupant shall remove the cuttings, mowings or other debris therefrom.
Full Breakdown
Pittsburgh Code Chapter 609 makes every owner or occupant of real estate responsible for cutting noxious weeds, poison ivy, and grass over six inches on their lot, including the lawn strip to the curb, and hauling away the clippings. The Director of Environmental Services can serve a five-day compliance notice; if the owner or occupant misses it, the Department of Public Works can mow the lot itself and bill the cost as a lien against the property. Violators face fines up to $15 for individuals, or $50 to $500 for multi-family buildings of six units or more and commercial, institutional, or municipal properties, with each day a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
Up to $15 for a first violation; $50 to $500 for multi-family buildings of six or more units, or commercial, institutional, or municipal properties; each day of noncompliance is a separate offense, per Pittsburgh Code § 609.07.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pittsburgh's weed law apply to vacant lots?
What happens if I ignore the compliance notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pittsburgh
Compare Pittsburgh to another location·View the Pennsylvania property maintenance overview
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