How to Obtain a Vacation for a City Dedicated Right-of-Way:

• Step 1: Prior to obtaining an application at the Department of Public Works (DPW), the applicant must prepare a letter of request. The letter should clearly state what you are requesting
  and why. Attach drawings and/or plans that would help in the
  review process. Itemize all materials that will be used in construction. All material must comply with City standards.
   
  The letter should be addressed to:
  Mr. Robert W. Kaczorowski, Director
  Department of Public Works
  611 Second Avenue
  Pittsburgh, PA 15219

• Step 2: Prepare an undated check for $150.00 made payable
  to the “Treasurer, City of Pittsburgh”.
• Step 3: Prepare a notarized petition signed by the applicant and the abutting property owner(s).
• Step 4: Applicant fills out a Vacation Application at the DPW Permit Counter (611 Second Avenue).

In the Know:

• Upon receipt of the letter of request, check and petition, as well
  as any plans or drawings that may be helpful, the review process will begin.
• DPW distributes a memo to various City Departments and agencies asking if there is any objection to the Vacation.
• Variance request is reviewed by various City Departments and Authorities such as:
  - Department of Public Works
  - Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority
  - Pennsylvania American Water Company
  - Other Utilities
  - Department of City Planning
  - City Law Department
  - City Finance Department
• A field inspection by the DPW Administrator and Inspector is completed.
• When the review and verification process is complete, legislation
  is drawn up and sent to City Council for approval.
• Final approval is obtained from the Mayor’s Office.
• The entire review time takes an average of three months.

General Information for Street Vacations:

• If the requested street vacation has utility easements as part of
  the vacation, no building of structures will be allowed over the easement area.
• All vacated street areas are subject to the existing zoning requirements for the area in which they are located.
• Please note that each street or way was plotted on a sub-division plan. When a street is vacated, half the reversionary rights go to
  the adjacent property owners on each side.
• Most street vacations of unimproved or unopened streets have no additional cost other than the processing fee. The adjacent
  owners essentially own half of the street if it has never been
  opened after 21 years and are also responsible for half of the maintenance.
  The street vacation legislation essentially validates this ownership and allows for official map changes by the County.
• If a street vacation request is limited to one parcel or lot, City analysis may determine that it is feasible to vacate a larger
  portion of the street. The requestor will then be responsible to
  have the adjacent owners sign the petition to support the larger vacation.
• When legislation is passed supporting the street vacation, the Department of Public Works sends a copy of said legislation to
  the Allegheny County Board Assessment. The area of the
  vacated street will then be assigned an assessed value for tax purposes.

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