City ordinance change limits hours of construction downtown, Strip District

PITTSBURGH — Development in downtown Pittsburgh is booming, but all that construction can be a disruption to people who live and work there.

"You never really know when it's going to start,” said Jacob Wasson, a Pittsburgh resident. “It'll be like 3 a.m. and I'm cramming for a test and there will be drilling out of nowhere."

On Tuesday, the City Council expanded the current noise ordinance to include downtown and the Strip District.

The change specifically limits all private development activity to between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Heavy construction like demolition and jack hammering is limited to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"The city hasn't seen construction like this in 60 years,” Councilman Dan Gillman said. “We've doubled the number of permits the city has issued just since Mayor (Bill) Peduto has taken office."

Nighttime work, however, is still permitted in other parts of the city if a special permit is issued, something that gets the phones ringing at City Hall.

“I get a lot of calls in my district when there is work at night about people who can't sleep and I understand it. It's a difficult situation for us,” Gillman said.

Peduto’s office said nearly 400 permits have been issued since January for work within the city limits.

Cox Media Group