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Allegheny County, PA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Permit required for
work on County roads/bridges
Issuing agency
Dept. of Public Works
Standard applied
sound engineering practice
Council authority
can rescind any grant

Summary

Anyone performing work on or under a County road or bridge in Allegheny County must first obtain a highway or bridge occupancy permit from the Department of Public Works.

City-specific rules exist: Pittsburgh has its own encroachment permits rules that differ from Allegheny County's county-level regulations. If you live in Pittsburgh, check the city-specific page instead.

No person, public utility, private company, municipality or municipal authority shall occupy or perform any work upon or under a County highway or bridge without first securing a highway occupancy or bridge occupancy permit. County Council does hereby authorize the Department of Public Works to grant such highway and bridge occupancy permits so long as such actions shall promote public safety and welfare and shall not interfere with any existing or anticipated County governmental function. All such grants shall be consistent with sound engineering practices and the regulations of the Department of Public Works in effect on the date hereof or that may be hereafter adopted. County Council does further authorize the Director of the Department of Public Works, or his designee, to take any and all further actions as may be necessary or proper to carry out the authorization granted herein, including, but not limited to, the execution of the permits identified in this section. Notwithstanding the foregoing, County Council shall have the right to rescind or revoke any action taken under the authority granted herein.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4857026; v12 updated 2024-06-04; through 06-04-2024).

Full Breakdown

Chapter 777, § 777-2 bars any person, utility, private company, municipality or municipal authority from occupying or working upon or under a County highway or bridge without first securing a highway or bridge occupancy permit. County Council authorizes the Department of Public Works to issue these permits so long as the work protects public safety, follows sound engineering practice and does not interfere with County government functions, and Council retains the right to rescind any permit authority granted.

Violations & Fines

Occupying or working on a County road or bridge without a highway/bridge occupancy permit violates § 777-2; County Council reserves the right to rescind or revoke any permit authority granted under this article.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs a highway occupancy permit in Allegheny County?
Anyone occupying or working on or under a County-owned road or bridge, including utilities, private companies and municipalities, per § 777-2.
Which agency issues these permits?
County Council authorizes the Department of Public Works to grant highway and bridge occupancy permits.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Allegheny County

All Allegheny County rules

Compare Allegheny County to another location·View the Pennsylvania sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview

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Encroachment Permits in Cities Across Allegheny County