How do I find the controlling Pittsburgh ordinance for a franchise?

Search the City Code and City Council legislation for the ordinance number tied to the franchise; the City Code contains governing provisions but the authorizing ordinance contains franchise-specific terms.

Who enforces franchise compliance in Pittsburgh?

Enforcement is carried out by the City through the authorizing department and City Council oversight; for operational compliance issues contact the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections (PLI).

Are there standard monetary fines in the City Code for franchise breaches?

No single standard fine is listed for all franchise breaches in the general code; fines and remedies are typically spelled out in the franchise ordinance or contract.

Franchise Agreement Review - Pittsburgh, PA

Business and Consumer Protection Pennsylvania 4 Minutes Read · published February 09, 2026

Franchise agreements that grant private use of public rights-of-way or city services require careful review under Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania municipal rules. This guide explains where to find the controlling city code, who enforces franchise terms, typical compliance risks, and the concrete steps a business or property owner should take when negotiating, reviewing, or disputing a franchise agreement in Pittsburgh.

Confirm whether the franchise is authorized by City Council ordinance before signing.

Overview

Franchise agreements commonly cover utilities, telecommunications, transit concessions, and other private uses of public property. In Pittsburgh these agreements are governed by the City Code and by the specific ordinance or contract approving the franchise. Review both the underlying City Code provisions and the authorizing ordinance or contract language to understand rights, obligations, term, renewal, insurance, indemnity, and maintenance duties.

Penalties & Enforcement

Primary legal authority for franchise terms is the City of Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances; specific penalties for breaches of a franchise typically appear in the ordinance or the franchise contract rather than as uniform fines in the general code. Where the code or ordinance specifies fines or remedies, those provisions control; where it does not, the city may pursue contract remedies or administrative actions.

Fines and monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page for general franchise breaches; consult the authorizing ordinance or franchise contract for dollar amounts and per-day rates. ^[1]

Franchise sanctions often appear in the specific ordinance or in the executed franchise, not in a single code section.

Escalation and repeat offences: Not specified on the cited page; escalation is normally set in the franchise agreement or ordinance and may include notice, cure periods, and increasing penalties.

Non-monetary sanctions:

Orders to repair, maintain, or remove structures placed in public rights-of-way.
Temporary suspension of franchise rights or operations under the franchise or ordinance.
Court action or injunctions seeking compliance or termination of the franchise.

Enforcers, inspections and complaints: Enforcement typically involves the City of Pittsburgh acting through the authorizing department and City Council oversight; practical compliance contact is the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections (PLI). To report compliance issues or request inspections, contact PLI via the department contact page. PLI contact^[2]

Appeals and review: Appeal routes for administrative actions or permit denials vary by the specific action; time limits and appeal procedures are usually set in the ordinance, the franchise agreement, or the administrative rule that issued the sanction and are not specified on the cited general code page.

Common violations

Placement or expansion of facilities in the right-of-way without express city authorization.
Failure to maintain or repair franchise-installed infrastructure.
Noncompliance with inspection, recordkeeping, insurance, or indemnity requirements.

If the franchise documents are silent on a remedy, the city may pursue contract remedies or seek judicial relief.

Applications & Forms

Franchise grants in Pittsburgh are normally authorized by City Council ordinance and implemented by a signed franchise contract. There is no single universal franchise application form published in the City Code; specific instructions, forms, or submission processes (if any) are set by the authorizing department or by the legislative process for the ordinance. For administrative questions and department-level requirements, contact PLI or review the relevant ordinance text. ^[2]

How to review a franchise agreement

Follow a structured checklist to identify obligations, risks, and remedies before signing or disputing a franchise.

Locate the authorizing City Council ordinance and the executed franchise contract.
Confirm term, renewal, transfer/assignment rules, and termination clauses.
Check specified fines, liquidated damages, performance bonds, and insurance requirements.
Identify maintenance, repair, and restoration obligations for public infrastructure.
Note inspection rights, notice and cure periods, and dispute resolution or appeal procedures.
Contact PLI or the City Solicitor for procedural guidance or to file complaints; use official contact channels. PLI contact^[2]

FAQ

How do I find the controlling Pittsburgh ordinance for a franchise?: Search the City Code and City Council legislation for the ordinance number tied to the franchise; the City Code contains governing provisions but the authorizing ordinance contains franchise-specific terms.^[1]
Who enforces franchise compliance in Pittsburgh?: Enforcement is carried out by the City through the authorizing department and City Council oversight; for operational compliance issues contact PLI.^[2]
Are there standard monetary fines in the City Code for franchise breaches?: No single standard fine is listed for all franchise breaches in the general code; fines and remedies are typically spelled out in the franchise ordinance or contract and are not specified on the cited general code page.^[1]

How-To

Identify the franchise by ordinance number or contract name and obtain the full text.
Compare contract obligations against City Code provisions cited in the ordinance.
Document maintenance, insurance, and indemnity obligations and confirm proof of insurance and bonds.
Check termination, cure periods, and dispute resolution to understand timelines for appeal.
If unclear, request guidance from PLI or the City Solicitor and keep records of all communications.

Key Takeaways

Franchise specifics live in the authorizing ordinance and executed contract; the general code may not state dollar fines.
Contact PLI for procedural questions and to report compliance issues.
Preserve timelines and cure notices for any appeal or dispute process.