Over-The-Counter review is conducted by staff for low-impact projects that meet certain eligibility criteria. To learn more, please download the Over-The-Counter Process Guide. 

Public Art & Civic Design Commission Hearings are open to the public. Community members are welcome to provide verbal comments or written statements about items on the Commission agenda each month.

Agendas, presentations, and project information for upcoming meetings can be found on this page in the Public Art & Civic Design Commission Meeting Material section below. To provide public comment regarding an agenda item, you can:

• Email pacd@pittsburghpa.gov - Email testimony will be accepted until the business day before the meeting at 12 p.m. 
• Mail a letter to the Department of City Planning, attn PACD Commission, 100 Ross St., Suite 202, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 - Mailed testimony must be received by two business days before the meeting. 
• Join the Zoom Meeting - Use the raise hand function to request to speak during the relevant agenda item. 
• Call into the Zoom Meeting on your phone - Press *9 to use the raise hand function, and be called on to speak during the relevant agenda item.

Public Art Committee:
Mikael Owunna, Committee Chair/Commission President
Christine Bethea
Anneliese Martinez

Civic Design Committee:
Ariam Ford, Committee Chair/Commission Vice President
Ali Abdullah
Lisa Carver
Gerrod Winston
Megan Ziegler

The following Citywide standards have been approved by the Commission:

• Bicycle Parking Guidelines (PDF)
• Fixit Bike Repair Station Standards (PDF)
• Greenway Standards (PDF)
• Open Space Signage Standards (PDF)
• Regional Park Signage Standards (PDF)
• Small Cell Aesthetic Guidelines (PDF)
• Swiftmile Charging Stations (PDF)
• Vacant Lot Toolkit (PDF)

I was told that I need Public Art & Civic Design Commission approval. What do I do now? 

Your first step is to check the PACD Commission schedule to determine the date of the meeting at which you wish to present. For your application to appear before the Commission, it must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month, three weeks prior to the upcoming Commission meeting you plan to attend. If you have missed this deadline, you must wait until the next month's hearing to present to the Commission. 

The next step is to read through the Public Art & Civic Design Commission Application Guidelines. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the Public History, Art, & Design Division at pacd@pittsburghpa.gov.

You may also be required to attend a Development Activities Meeting prior to submitting your Public Art & Civic Design Commission application. Details can be found on the Development Activities Meeting (DAM) webpage.

When are the hearings? 

Public Art & Civic Design Commission meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month. The Public Art Committee meets at 2:00 PM. The Civic Design Committee meets at 4:00 PM. See the Meeting Calendar on the Commissions, Boards, and Panels Homepage.

What does the Public Art & Civic Design Commission review? 

The Commission reviews permanent installations (one year or more) in the Public Realm.

The Civic Design Review Committee reviews the design of new structures and designed sites, or the modification of existing structures and designed sites. This commonly includes buildings, signs, and other elements of non-standard infrastructure on City property and in the right-of-way.

The Public Art Review Committee reviews the addition, modification, relocation, and removal of items of Public Art, including murals, sculptures, monuments, fountains, and exterior items intended for ornament or commemoration.

I want to host a festival or event that is art-related and on public property. How can I do this?

If your event is temporary, you will not need to seek Commission approval and can speak with zoning about obtaining the proper permits. As all events and projects are unique, please email the Zoning Office at zoning@pittsburghpa.gov with any questions. You may also find more information about events on the City of Pittsburgh Special Events webpage.

I'm constructing a new artwork or structure on private property and I'd like some advice on how to improve the design. Can I consult with the Public Art & Civic Design Commission? 

You may request a Courtesy Review with the Public Art & Civic Design Commission. You will still need to submit the application form and all related materials.

What is a Development Activities Meeting and when do I have to have one?

If the site of your project is within the boundaries of a Registered Community Organization (RCO), the Pittsburgh Administrative Code requires that a Development Activities Meeting (DAM) be held at least 30 days before the hearing. You can identify areas covered by RCOs using this GIS Map. The full guidelines for Development Activities Meetings can be found on our Development Activities Meeting (DAM) webpage.

Who serves on the Public Art & Civic Design Commission and how are they elected?

The Commissioners are elected by the Mayor and serve without compensation. Ex-officio members include the Director of the Department of Public Works and the Director of the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure. Members of the commission represent different disciplines that contribute to the quality of civic design and the public realm. The commission consists of practicing artists, architects, design professionals, and community members.

The Public Art & Civic Design Commission is directly governed by Chapter 175 of the City Code. Other sections of the City Code and Home Rule Charter include additional context for the regulation of the City’s boards and commissions.
Per Chapter 175, the Commission shall have the power to adopt its own rules of procedure, consistent with relevant laws or ordinances. The Commission's Rules of Procedure can be found here.

Please read the Application Guidelines for detailed instructions on how to apply.

Applications must be submitted electronically at https://engage.pittsburghpa.gov/pacd-commission-application.

A full application package as described in the Guidelines must be received by 4:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month.