Pittsburgh officials on Thursday began what could become a lengthy process to give the city more control over noise complaints involving bars and restaurants with liquor licenses.
Pittsburgh City Council members, state officials, entertainment venue operators and law enforcement representatives gathered for a discussion on how state regulations intersect with the city’s noise ordinance.
At the center of the conversation was whether Pittsburgh could eventually seek a waiver allowing the city — instead of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement — to investigate and handle noise complaints involving liquor-licensed establishments.
Different decibel standards
The discussion focused on ongoing issues tied to changes in state laws that require Allegheny County businesses with liquor licenses to follow stricter noise standards than surrounding counties. Under the rules, businesses cannot increase amplified sound above existing noise levels without risking citations.
“It has caused an incredible amount of unnecessary conflict,” said Councilwoman Erika Strassburger, D-Squirrel Hill.
In 2022, Pennsylvania lawmakers passed Act 67, a measure aimed at modernizing the state Liquor Code by standardizing noise regulations, updating contract brewing rules and giving license holders greater operational flexibility.
Under the law, businesses in most Pennsylvania counties — excluding Allegheny and Philadelphia — can play amplified music up to 75 decibels without facing citations. Amplified sound includes live music, DJs and speakers, while unamplified noise covers crowds, shouting and outdoor gatherings.
Businesses serving alcohol in Allegheny County must maintain no increase in amplified sound levels, otherwise they run the risk of citation from the state.
“It’s an inequitable system currently. That current system lacks transparency and the ability to be proactive and work in a neighborly way,” Strassburger told TribLive.
Lynn Benka-Davies, executive director of the Liquor Control Committee for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, said Allegheny and Philadelphia counties were excluded because of their dense populations and concerns that having local police enforce decibel standards at licensed establishments could create community tensions.
Benka-Davies said the state had no specific decibel standard before Act 67 took effect. Since the law changed, she said, Pennsylvania has continued to issue roughly the same number of annual noise citations — about 10 per year.
The law primarily gave some counties greater flexibility, she said.
Under Pittsburgh’s city code, which governs businesses without liquor licenses, amplified sound cannot exceed 75 decibels in residential areas.
The National Hearing Conservation Association defines 75 decibels as roughly equivalent to chamber music in a small auditorium.
Businesses voice concerns
Melissa Larrick, executive director of Pittsburgh Brewers Guild, said citations from the state put businesses at the risk of losing their license.
“If we don’t have that license, we can’t operate. It feels like we are being superseded. We just want to be included in the conversation,” Larrick said.
Larrick was among five people at the meeting representing restaurants, bars or entertainment establishments.
Chris Copen, owner of Bottlerocket Social Hall, said the current system “feels designed exclusively to embarrass” business owners.
Business owners said the complaint process leaves little room for communication with nearby residents because complaints filed with the state can remain anonymous. They argued that without direct conversations, businesses lose opportunities to address concerns or reach compromises before citations are issued.
State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Lawrenceville, said many businesses operate on thin margins and rely on attractions such as live music to draw customers.
Other municipalities have applied for waivers to be exempt from the zero decibel rule.
The city of Pittsburgh could apply for a waiver allowing it to govern its own noise complaints. If approved, enforcement involving bars and restaurants serving alcohol would shift from the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement to local police, Benka-Davies said.
Strassburger said a key question moving forward will be whether the city’s existing noise ordinance could take the place of state oversight or whether new legislation would be required.
Police officials also raised concerns about staffing and enforcement capacity. The city currently employs fewer than 800 police officers.
“For us to take this on would be a significant lift,” said Pittsburgh Chief Jason Lando.
Police Sgt. Andrew Robinson, who oversees the South Side Entertainment Patrol, said officers would require additional training to properly operate decibel meters.
Megan Trotter and Ruby Kolik are TribLive staff writers. Megan can be reached at mtrotter@triblive.com, Ruby at rkolik@triblive.com.