Legislation could allow Pittsburgh to fine residents, businesses for excess trash, uncut lawns

Legislation introduced to City Council Tuesday would allow Pittsburgh to fine residents or businesses for quality of life violations, like an accumulation of garbage, tall weeds or improperly stored garbage cans.

The measure, sponsored by Councilman Bruce Kraus, aims to tackle issues surrounding properties that are not properly maintained. Such issues are “costly problems that contribute to the deterioration of property values and general disorder in the communication,” according to the legislation.

The program would impose fines for violations of city code that harm quality of life in the community.

“The Number One call we receive in our office is really around waste management, followed by weeds and parking,” Kraus said.

Under the legislation, people could be fined for an accumulation of garbage. No property can have more than one cubic foot of debris, waste, rubbish or garbage, according to the proposal.

All waste and recycling containers must be stored in the rear of the property, to keep it out of sight from the public right-of-way, under the proposal.

All garbage and recycling containers must be durable, watertight and secured with close-fitted lids, the legislation says, and must be kept clean and sanitary.

The measure also would create quality of life fines for people whose grass or weeds grows beyond 10 inches.

If approved, the legislation would allow any police officer, code enforcement officer, building code official, inspector or other public official to issue a quality of life ticket to a property owner or occupant who violates those ordinances.

Each day a violation continues may constitute a separate offense, meaning an additional fine could be imposed.

People who receive the tickets would be expected to correct the violation.

The initial fine for the first violation within a calendar year would be $35, plus any costs the city incurs in cleanup or other abatement efforts.

If someone receives a second quality of life ticket in a year, the fine jumps to $50. For a third violation, the fine increases to $100.

The legislation also outlines an appeal process, which would allow anyone who has been ticketed for quality of life violations to request an appeal within 15 days.

Anyone looking to appeal the ticket would have to pay their fine in full, but would have it refunded if they win the appeal.

The city would be able to place liens on a property where tickets were issued, but the tickets weren’t paid and the problem was not abated within 45 days.

“We believe this can be utilized in a manner to bring accountability to irresponsible property owners and demonstrate, and even enhance, the beauty that is Pittsburgh,” Sharlee Ellison, president of Knoxville Community Council, wrote to council members in a letter supporting the legislation.

David Panasiuk, president of the Oakcliffe Community Organization, said he favors the proposal, “as it will bring much needed measures of health, safety and equity into our community which will improve our quality of life.”

Kraus called for a post agenda meeting to further discuss the measure before advancing the legislation.

Kraus said his chief of staff, Bob Charland, has been working to pen the legislation for nearly a year.

“I believe it will ultimately serve the residents of Pittsburgh much better than how we have been able to serve them in the past,” Kraus said.