Department of Public Safety
Disruptive Properties Administration

Since Disruptive Properties place a substantial threat and burden on the common health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the City of Pittsburgh, the Public Safety Director is authorized to charge the cost of law enforcement to the property owner in order to deter repeated violations of state and local law. When a property violation remains unabated for an unreasonably long period of time, misdemeanor charges may result.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What is a Disruptive Property?
A:A property is declared "disruptive" after it has received 3 notices of disruptive activity within a 180 day window. A disruptive activity is defined as a violation of any of these ordinances/statutes.
StatuteCodeViolation
601.03CitySoliciting Business
601.04CityNoise Control
601.06CityIntersexual Massage
601.07CityUnlicensed Alcohol or Liquor Sale
601.08CityAlcohol or Liquor Consumption on Streets or Sidewalks
604CityCurfew
607.03CityDischarging Firearm or Airgun
607.05CityArchery and Slingshots
609CityNoxious Weeds, Excessively High Grass and Refuse
613.02CityObscene Materials
613.03CityDissemination of Explicit Sexual Materials to Minors
613.04CityAdmitting Minors to Shows
615CityAny
615CityAny
619.04CityAccumulation of Muncipal Waste
633.08CityDogs at Large
633.09CityHarboring a Nuisance
633.11CityNondomestic Canine/Feline and Hybrids
633.12CityNumber of Pets Permitted in City Limits
633.2CityDangerous Dogs
635.02CityFowl at Large
4304StateEndangering the Welfare of Children
5501StateRiot
5502StateFailure to Disperse
5503StateDisorderly Conduct
5505StatePublic Drunkenness
5506StateLoitering
5511StateCruelty to Animals
5512StateLotteries
5513StateGambling Devices, Gambling
5514StatePool Selling and Bookmaking
5901StateOpen Lewdness
5902StateProstitution
5903StateObscene and Other Sexual Materials and Performances
5904StatePublic Exhibition of Insane or Deformed Person
6101StatePA Uniform Firearms Act
6110.1StatePossession of Firearm by Minor
6301StateCorruption of Minors
6308StatePurchase, Consumption, or Possession of Alcoholic Beverages
6310StateInducement to Buy Alcoholic Beverages
6310.1StateSelling or Furnishing Alcoholic Beverages to Minors
6310.7StateSelling or Furnishing Nonalcoholic Beverages to Minors
6319StateSolicitation of Minors to Traffic Drugs
6319StateSolicitation of Minors to Traffic Drugs
6501StateScattering Rubbish
Q:How does a property get declared disruptive?
A:A property is declared disruptive after 3 violations of the above ordinances/statutes within a 180-day period. Upon being cited for any of these violations, the property owner can appeal the Notice of Disruptive Activity to the Disruptive Properties Appeal Board. If the Board overturns the Notice of Disruptive Activity, it does not count against the property as one of the requisite "three strikes" needed to declare the property disruptive.
Q:What happens if my property is declared disruptive?
A:If a property accumulates 3 Notices of Disruptive Activity within 180 days, the property is declared Disruptive. A Disruptive Property notification means that the property owner will be charged for any and all future public safety service calls to the property. However, if law enforcement authorities are not called to the property for 12 consecutive months, then the property will no longer be classified as Disruptive.
Q:I got a Notice of Disruptive Activity in the mail. What do I do?
A:Upon receiving a Notice of Disruptive Activity, a property owner is permitted to appeal the Notice to the Disruptive Property Appeals Board. The Board will then decide to uphold the Notice or overturn it. Overturned notices are removed from the system and do not count as part of the 3-notice total required to declare a property disruptive.

For any other questions contact the Department of Public Safety at 412-255-4789.
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