Zoning & Ordinance

Building Permits, both residential and commercial, are processed by Code. Sys Consulting. To apply for a Building Permit you must register at code-sys.com and submit all information through the portal. For any questions regarding building code, please contact Code.Sys Consulting at 412-821-0699.

All Building Permits require a Zoning Certificate from the Township Zoning Officer.

Below is a summary of what may be required for your proposed project:

• Porches / Decks (Zoning Certificate from the Township and Building Permit from Code.Sys)
• Sheds (Zoning Certificate from the Township)
• Fences (Zoning Certificate from the Township and Requires a Property Survey)
• Car Ports (Zoning Certificate from the Township)
• Garages (Zoning Certificate from the Township and Building Permit from Code.Sys)
• Demolition of structures (Zoning Certificate from the Township and Demo Permit from Code.Sys and other responsibilities)
• Additions/changes in house & commercial exterior structure (Zoning Certificate from the Township and Building Permit from Code.Sys)

Zoning Certificates

Before applying for a Zoning Certificate, please review the Zoning Certificate Application Checklist. This will help ensure that you will have everything you need before submitting an application. Follow this link for the Zoning Certificate Application.

Land Development or Subdivision Application 2026

Variance Application

Harrison Township Code of Ordinances, Chapter 27, Zoning, Part 5: Administration and Enforcement, Section 502 Zoning Certificates (PDF)

Grass and weeds cannot exceed 6 inches, and “sight obstructions” such as hedges, shrubs, trees, and underbrush cannot unreasonably interfere with the vision of pedestrians or motorists so as to create danger to those using streets and sidewalks.

Harrison Township Code of Ordinances, Chapter 10, Health and Safety, Part 1: Weeds and Vegetation (PDF)

No occupant of any property shall accumulate refuse, rubbish or junk, including cans, food cartons and containers, yard clippings, discarded furniture, news papers, non-operable automobiles without current inspection stickers, broken down or dismantled automobile parts, or old tires. 

Harrison Township Code of Ordinances, Chapter 10, Health and Safety, Part 2: Storage of Refuse (PDF)

The exterior of a structure shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound and sanitary so as not to pose a threat to the public health, safety or welfare.

Harrison Township Code of Ordinances, Chapter 10, Health and Safety, Part 3: Property Maintenance Regulations (PDF)

• A permit for erection of fencing shall be obtained from the Zoning and Ordinance office. 
• A Property Survey is required for fence permit applications.
• The maximum height of a fence or wall in the rear or side yard shall be six feet.
• The only fences permitted in the front yard in the residential districts are ornamental, limited to four feet in height.  Chain-link type fences are not permitted in front yards.
• The finished side of the fence structure is to face the neighboring property.
• No fence is permitted if it blocks clear view or vision for vehicular traffic.
• Harrison Township Code of Ordinances, Chapter 27, Zoning, Part 3: General Regulations, Section 311 Fences and Wall Regulations (PDF)

Three yard sales are permitted per calendar year and cannot exceed three consecutive days.  No signs advertising the yard sale may be posted on public property such as utility poles and traffic signs.

Harrison Township Code of Ordinances, Chapter 13, Licenses, Permits and General Business Regulation, Part 9: Yard Sales (PDF)

Dogs are not permitted to run at large.  All dogs must be licensed through  Allegheny County.  Dogs cannot bark repetitively or excessively for a period of 10 consecutive minutes during any one-hour period.  Pets are prohibited from defecating on streets, alleys, public property, or private property. 

Harrison Township Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Animals, Part 1: Dogs at Large and Excessively Barking Dogs, and Part 2: Animal Defecation (PDF)

On March 1, 2017 the Board of Commissioners accepted an amendment to the Chapter 13 Ordinance regarding door-to-door solicitation. The amendment permits residents to bar solicitors from their property by posing “No Solicitors” signs or by joining the Townships “No Solicitors List”.

• For full amendment details see Ordinance No. 1993 (PDF).
• To join the Township’s “No Solicitors List” please call the Township Office at 724-226-1393. or submit your request via our online contact form. Please include your full name, address, contact information and clearly state that you would like to be added to the “No Solicitors List” when using the online contact form to submit your request.
• View NO SOLICITATION LIST

• Spring through Fall: high grass and weeds (six inches or higher) MUST be cut; grass clippings are NOT to be put in the street and are NOT to be put out for Township compost collection; glass clippings MUST be bagged for the weekly garbage pickup.
• Fall: leaves MUST be collected; leaves are NOT to be put in the street and NOT put out for garbage pickup.
• Winter: Snow MUST be removed from sidewalks; snow is NOT to be placed in the street.
• Spring: the Township will pick up leaves placed in approved paper bags and small branches and twigs no longer than 4 ft, bundled for one individual to handle.
• Harrison Township Code of Ordinances, Chapter 21, Streets and Sidewalks, Part 4: Material on Streets & Sidewalks (PDF)
• Harrison Township Code of Ordinances, Chapter 10, Health and Safety, Part 1: Weeds and Vegetation (PDF)

 Bulk storage containers and dumpsters must have a Harrison Township Permit with a $50 permit fee.

Storage Units/Pods cannot be placed on Township property, street, or right-of-way.

Dumpsters may be placed on Township property, street, or right-of-way.  Bulk storage containers and dumpsters cannot be placed for more than 30 days, subject to extensions.  All dumpsters must be covered and removed when they are full

Harrison Township Code of Ordinances, Chapter 13, Licenses, Permits and General Business Regulations, Part 10: Bulk Storage Containers and Dumpster Permits (PDF)

All households and apartments are required to pay for and maintain garbage service.  Uncontrolled accumulation or disposal of garbage, rubbish, or trash creates a hazard and danger to the health, safety and welfare of the people of the Township of Harrison and is subject to fines of up to $300 per day for each violation.  All households and apartments are required to recycle aluminum and tin cans, glass, and papers in the Township-provided recycle containers to be collected every other week by the contracted garbage service.  Leaves are not to be put in with the weekly garbage collection, but put in commercial paper leaf bags for Township Public Works pickup.  Grass clippings are to be bagged and put in for the weekly garbage collection. 

Harrison Township Code of Ordinances, Chapter 20, Solid Waste, Part 1: Collection of Garbage (PDF)  and Part 2: Collection of Solid Waste and Recyclables (PDF)

 Every swimming pool, fishing pond and other water storage facility shall be enclosed by a fence or wall not less than four feet high to prevent uncontrolled access by small children.  A Township permit is required for accessory utility sheds, storage sheds, and carports and the structures must meet certain building codes.  Satellite dish antennas in a residential zoned district cannot be higher than 17 feet above the ground, except that antennas installed on a roof of a dwelling may go up to 35 feet above the ground.

Harrison Township Code of Ordinances, Chapter 27, Zoning, Part 3: General Regulations, Section 302 Accessory Uses (PDF)

A Township permit shall be obtained for the erection of all signs, with the applicant submitting a sketch with size, lettering, and location.  The Township ordinance for “signs” specifies requirements and limitations for all signs. 

Political signs are permitted in the public right-of-way portion of landowner’s property, provided they do not interfere with motorist or pedestrian visibility or safety.  Signs pertaining to election candidates or issues shall be removed within five days immediately following the election for which they were displayed.

The regulations related to open burning in Harrison Township are the same as the regulations approved by Allegheny County.

Allegheny County Open Burning Regulations (PDF) and Open Burning Fact Sheet (PDF)

 Any activity, conduct, or condition occurring upon private property within the Township which unreasonably annoys, injures or endangers the safety, health, morals, comfort or repose of any member of the public may be deemed as a public nuisance.  The Township may impose a repeat nuisance service call fine upon the owner or occupant of private property if the Township has rendered a nuisance call to response to the property on three or more occasions within a period of 60 days.

Every rental landlord shall be responsible for regulating the conduct and activities of the occupants of every rental dwelling he or she owns in the Township.  If tenants or occupants of the rental dwelling are engaged in disorderly practices and a Township Ordinance Officer notifies the property owner that an occupant of a rental dwelling unit has violated a provision of the Township ordinance, the owner shall take immediate steps to remedy the violation and take steps to assure that there is no reoccurrence of the violation.  In the event that a second violation occurs within a license year involving the same occupant or occupants, the Township Ordinance Officer may direct the owner to evict the occupants who violated the ordinance.

Harrison Township Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6, Conduct, Part 7: Excessive Nuisance Calls (PDF)

Harrison Township Code of Ordinances, Chapter 11, Housing, Part 2: Landlord Licensing and Tenant Conduct (PDF)