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Here's what to know about Pittsburgh's 'quality of life' tickets for trash violators

Arturo Fernandez/Post-Gazette

Here's what to know about Pittsburgh's 'quality of life' tickets for trash violators

City council passed the new ordinance to reduce the amount of trash and litter found around the city

Pittsburgh City Council passed a new ordinance allowing the city to issue “quality of life” tickets. It’s an effort to reduce the amount of trash and litter found around the city. 

Here’s what residents need to know about Quality of Life tickets: 

What are Quality of Life tickets? 

Quality of life tickets will be issued by the city to owners and occupants of a building for a number of trash violations. The goal of these tickets is to cut down on litter and improve the quality of life for city residents. 

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So what can I get in trouble for? 

Tickets will be issued for violations surrounding improper storage of garbage. All trash must be stored in a watertight container with a close-fitting lid. When possible, garbage cans must be stored in the rear of the building and out of sight from the public right-of-way.

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If garbage cans are placed on the curb prior to 6 p.m. the night before collection and left there after 10 p.m. the day of collection, the resident could face a ticket. 

The tickets will be issued to the owner and occupant of the building. In cases where the occupant is not the owner, like rental properties, the owner must take responsibility, unless they can prove that they had provided a waste and recycling fact sheet signed by the tenant and landlord prior to the citation being issued.

The waste and recycling fact sheet can be found on the city’s website and should be included as a lease addendum for all tenants.

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Upon request, the tickets can also be provided in the preferred language of the recipient, for anyone whose first language is not English.

There are some exemptions.

If a resident has already applied for city-sponsored social services like Snow Angels or City Cuts, they could be given a notice of the violation, but not a citation.

In some instances, the city may step in to clean up the problem, like if it poses a health or public safety risk. In those situations, the resident will also be billed for the city’s clean-up efforts, on top of the citation. 

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How much will a ticket cost? 

For the first violation the citation will be $35. If the second violation happens in the same calendar year as the first, the ticket will go up to $50. If a third violation happens in the same calendar year as the second, the fine will be raised to $100. The fines will go into the city’s general fund.

Residents can appeal the quality of life tickets, although it has to be done within 15 days. The physical copy of the ticket will include instructions on how to appeal. They can also be found on the city’s website.

The fine does not have to be paid prior to the appeal.

The goal, according to City Council members, is to have ticketing begin sometime early next year, although there will be a phase-in period where violators will receive a notice, rather than a citation.

Why is the city doing this? 

The main goal of the new ticketing system is to cut down on litter and ensure that garbage is properly disposed of and collected.

“The city is filthy and my district is no exception, as reflected during the 2024 Garbage Olympics, where all three winners were my neighborhoods. Quality of Life ticketing will work to reduce these issues and promote a more vibrant community,” Councilman Bob Charland, one of the legislation’s co-sponsors said in a statement. 

The violations have always been on the city’s books, but the new ticketing system will give the city a more clear way to enforce them. 

At a meeting last week, Councilwoman Barb Warwick said that the goal of this legislation is for the city to “be more proactive” rather than just chasing 311 calls, she hopes this will empower the city to go out to the neighborhoods “where we already know there are problems.”

If neighbors have concerns about trash in their neighborhoods, they can still file a complaint with 311. 

“This initiative is not just about enforcement; it’s about encouraging voluntarily compliance and fostering a culture of pride in our neighborhoods for our City workers,” Mr. Charland said. “Together, we can make Pittsburgh a cleaner and more beautiful place to live.”

First Published: October 22, 2024, 6:35 p.m.
Updated: October 23, 2024, 4:04 p.m.

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