PROPERTY MAINTENANCE AND CODE ENFORCEMENT
FAQ’s
DOES THE MUNICIPALITY HAVE A GRASS ORDINANCE?
YES. Grass in excess of 8 inches is considered to be in violation.
WHAT IS CONSIDERED A JUNK VEHICLE?
Junk vehicles shall be those without a current inspection sticker and are either rusted, wrecked, discarded, dismantled, partly dismantled, inoperative, or in an abandoned condition; all of which are hereby declared to be a nuisance and detrimental to the environment of the Municipality of Bethel Park.
CAN I TRIM OVERHANGING BRANCHES FROM MY NEIGHBOR’S TREE
YES. You can trim everything that is overhanging onto your property up to the property line.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TREES IN EASEMENTS AND ROADS?
The property owner is responsible to keep trees and branches clear from the roadways at a height of 14 feet as well as 3 feet of clearance off of the roadway. This ensures school buses, emergency vehicles, plow trucks, and garbage trucks can pass through with no issues.
DRAINAGE
Any water flowing from your property such as a sump pump, drain, roof downspouts, etc. needs to be discharged in a way that does not cause a nuisance on the roadway or the neighboring properties.
DANGEROUS STRUCTURE
Contact Vince Kelly, Residential Building Inspector
412-831-6800, x133
Or submit a report via our Citizen Action Line
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I REPORT AN ISSUE?
The Code Enforcement Officers go out to verify that there is in fact an ordinance violation. The property owner is given a certain amount of time, depending on the type of violation, to abate the issue. If, after the deadline, the issue has not been resolved, a citation will be issued, and it will be handled by the magistrate.
Building Inspections
5100 West Library Avenue
Bethel Park, PA 15102
OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Friday, 10-11 a.m.
Afternoon hours by appointment only
Robert Hicks
Commercial Building Inspections
412-831-6800, x135
rhicks@bethelpark.net
Vince Kelly
Residential Building Inspections
412-831-6800, x133
vkelly@bethelpark.net
The Building Inspection Division of Community Development is responsible for the enforcement of the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code as well as the adopted ICC codes. In addition, the Building Inspection Division is tasked with the enforcement of our local zoning ordinances as found in Chapter 69 of our Municipal Code.
Permits:
Building Permits are required for an owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building, structure and facility or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system regulated by the Uniform Construction Code and shall first apply to the building code official and obtain the required permit under§ 403.42a.
A Zoning Permit is required for:
Any and all changes in the use of a residential or commercial property, including any changes that affect parking facilities.
Sheds
Detached garages
Play structures
Carports
Any alterations and/or additions that affect property drainage (ie. surface drainage).
Driveways and parking lots that are increased in size
Questions about Building Code and/or permit requirements should be directed to permits@bethelpark.net or by calling 412-831-6800, x130 (Commercial) OR x131 (Residential).
Permit Submissions
Permits, Applications and Fee Schedules can be downloaded from our Permits and Applications page.
To better serve residents, there are multiple ways to submit a permit with us. You can follow the traditional route and drop them off to the Community Development Department, or you can submit all necessary information via email at Permits@bethelpark.net. If you have any questions regarding permit applications, call 412-831-6800 (x130 Commercial OR x131 Residential).
Property Maintenance
Municipal Building
5100 West Library Avenue
Second Floor
Bethel Park, PA 15102
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday
Resources:
What You Need To Know About Dead or Fallen Trees
Property Maintenance is essential for the overall health, safety and welfare of our community. Regulations and ordinances are adopted by Municipal Council. Residents and commercial property owners must maintain their properties in accordance with the established ordinances. The Code Enforcement Officer is responsible for working with property owners to explain the Municipality’s regulations on vegetation growth, storage of materials and recreational vehicles, yard parking, junk, and debris as well as other related issues. Failure to bring properties into compliance will result in having a fine assessed and a mandate to bring the property into compliance with all applicable codes.
Residents may report possible code violations (such as high grass, yard debris, stagnant water) by using the Citizen Action Line or by calling the Municipality at 412-831-6800, x240.
