Road and Bridge Permits

Utility workers installing a new gas line

Highway Occupancy Permit

A Highway Occupancy Permit (HOP) is required before any individual, utility company, municipality, authority, corporation, or organization performs any construction within, under, or over an Allegheny County right-of-way. 

Right-of-way is an area of land designated for use as a road or bridge, including the travel portion, shoulders, curbs, berms, gutters, and any other area needed for drainage structures, guide rail, or road signs.

Examples of typical work within county right-of-way include utility line installations and repairs, driveway and sidewalk installations and repairs, road sign installations and repairs, new storm sewer connections, and new road connections.

Construction work is only allowed within county right-of-way once a permit has been issued. When emergency work is necessary, a permit is required within 72 hours after the work is completed.

To learn more about our Highway Occupancy Permit policies, procedures, and fees related to construction:

Download Public Works Permit Manual(PDF, 4MB)

To apply for a Highway Occupancy Permit for construction, download an application and other potentially required forms:

The completed forms and a bond or certificate of insurance can be emailed to hop@alleghenycounty.us or mailed to:

Allegheny County Department of Public Works, Attn: Permits Manager
County Office Building
542 Forbes Avenue, Room 501
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Fees will be assessed during the permit review process.

If you have a question about applying for a Highway Occupancy Permit related to construction, email hop@alleghenycounty.us or call 412-350-5874.

Special Events and Film Shoots

A permit is required before any individual, municipality, corporation, or organization can temporarily occupy or restrict traffic on a county-owned road and bridge for a special event or film shoot. Special events include parades and other community events, runs, walks, athletic competitions, block parties, exhibits, and performances. First Amendment activities, such as public assemblies and marches, political and religious speeches, printed material distribution, and signature collection, do not require a permit.

No traffic restriction is allowed on a county-owned road or bridge for a special event or film shoot until a permit has been issued.

To apply for a permit for a special event or film shoot:

Download Special Events and Film Shoots Application(PDF, 224KB)

A completed application, certificate of insurance, and traffic control plan can be submitted via:

Email
specialeventspermit@alleghenycounty.us

Fax
412-350-5386 (include a cover sheet that includes an attention to the Public Information Officer)

Mail
Allegheny County Department of Public Works
Attn: Public Information Officer
County Office Building
542 Forbes Avenue, Room 501
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

The fees for special events and film shoots are as follows:

  • $135/day for each road, bridge, and/or tunnel where a traffic restriction will be implemented for a special event or film shoot
  • $332 for each road, bridge, tunnel, and the associated sidewalks cleaned by Public Works, as needed, for a special event or film shoot
  • $840 for the removal and reinstallation of delineators by Public Works, as needed, for a special event or film shoot

If you have a question about applying for a permit for a special event or film shoot, contact Brent Wasko at brent.wasko@alleghenycounty.us or 412-350-2451.

Overload/Oversize Permit

An Overload/Oversize Permit is required before driving a vehicle on an Allegheny County-owned roadway or bridge that is more than:

  • 8 feet 6 inches wide OR
  • 13 feet 6 inches high OR
  • 75 feet long OR
  • 80,000 pounds

To apply for an Overload/Oversize Permit, download an application:

Download an Overload/Oversize Permit Application(PDF, 370KB)

Applications must be submitted at least three business days before an overloaded or oversized vehicle can use a county-owned road or bridge. A minimum of two weeks’ notice is required for superloads, which are vehicles that are more than 16 feet wide, 160 feet long, and/or 201,000 pounds.

A completed application and certificate of insurance can be submitted via:

Email
oversizepermits@alleghenycounty.us

Fax
412-350-2523 (include a cover sheet that includes an attention to Kevin Lemon)

Mail
Allegheny County Department of Public Works
Attn: Kevin Lemon
County Office Building
542 Forbes Avenue, Room 501
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

The fees for overload/oversize permits on county-owned roads and bridges are as follows:

  • Road (single trip) – $100
  • Road (annual) – $200
  • Bridge (single trip) – $350
  • Bridge (annual) – $700

If you have a question about applying for an Overload/Oversize Permit, email oversizepermits@alleghenycounty.us or call 412-350-2517.

Back to top