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1. For which holidays is Town Hall closed?

Town Hall is closed on New Year's Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day/July 4, Labor Day, Election Day (the November general election day), Thanksgiving, and the day after, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day.

If any of the above holidays fall on a weekend, Town Hall will be closed either the Friday before or the Monday after the holiday.

2. How can I contact Town staff members?

The listing of staff members and their contact information can be found on our contact us page. In addition to individual contact information, there is a contact form at the bottom of that page where inquiries may be sent by subject matter/department.

3. What are the Town’s hours of operations?

Administrative / Tax Offices

Monday through Friday
9 am to 5 pm

Police Department

Monday through Friday
8 am to 4 pm (Note: an officer can be reached 24 hours a day)

Building / Zoning / Fire Marshal

Monday through Friday
8 am to 5 pm

Public Works

Monday through Friday
7 am to 3 pm

McCandless / Northern Allegheny Heritage Center

Wednesday through Friday
10 am to 4 pm

Saturday through Sunday
1 to 4 pm

Town Parks

Annually from April 1 to November 1

4. Where can I find a schedule of fees?

A schedule of fees can be found by visiting Building and Code Enforcement, Fire Marshal, Planning and Zoning, or Public Works departments. For your convenience, Schedule of Fees (PDF).

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1. Am I allowed to keep chickens?

In July 2021, Town Council passed a series of ordinance amendments to permit responsible ownership of backyard chickens on single-family properties.

The keeping of chickens is permitted as an Accessory Use by Permit in the R- 1, R- 2, R- 5, and R -C Zoning Districts. Participants in the backyard chicken program must obtain a building/zoning permit from the Town and display a Town-issued Certificate of Approval directly on the coop.

Guidelines and requirements for keeping chickens on properties are available in our Backyard Chicken Permit Guidelines (PDF) document.

2. How do I know what my property is zoned?

You can view the official zoning map (PDF). If you have any questions, please call the Zoning Office at 412-364-0616, ext. 129.

3. How do I subdivide a property?

All lots in a subdivision must front a public road. All subdivision applications must be submitted for review by the Town Planning Commission and approved by the Town Council. If Town Council approves, then the Town engineer, Town Council, and Town manager must sign the plan. After the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development reviews the plan, it is recorded at the Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds Office.

4. What and where are flood plains?

There are floodways and floodplains. These are areas determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to be in an area prone to flooding.

Rivers and streams where FEMA has prepared detailed engineering studies may have designated floodways. For most waterways, the floodway is where the water is likely to be deepest and fastest. It is the area of the floodplain that should be reserved (kept free of obstructions) to allow floodwaters to move downstream. Placing fill or buildings in a floodway may block the flow of water and increase flood heights. Because of this, your community will require that you submit engineering analyses before it approves permits for development in the floodway.

If your home is already in the floodway, you may want to consider what you will do if it is damaged. If it is substantially damaged in a flood or by any other means (the costs to repair is equal to or exceed 50% of the market value of the building), your community, in accordance with National Flood Insurance Program regulations, will require that you bring it into compliance. In most cases, this means you will have to elevate the structure above the base flood elevation. Because placing fill dirt in the floodway can make flooding worse, you'll probably have to elevate your structure on columns, pilings, or raised foundation walls. If your land is large enough to have a site outside of the floodway, or even out of the floodplain, you may want to think about moving your home to a safer location.

Floodplain area means the area of a stream and its banks that are covered by water during a 100-year flood. A 100-year flood is the greatest flood that is likely to occur every 100 years; for example, that has a one percent chance of occurring each year, although the floodway occurred in any year and more often than once in any given year.

The Town maintains current FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps. To determine if you are in a floodplain or floodway, view the FEMA Flood Map website. If you have any questions, please contact the Zoning Office.

The Town also has strict guidelines for construction and grading in a floodplain. These strict guidelines help provide those who require it reduced flood insurance rates.

Please do not dump anything in a stream. These items may get washed downstream during a storm and accumulate, which may cause flooding.

5. What are setbacks?

Setbacks are distances of a structure to a lot line or right-of-way. In the Town of McCandless, these are known as yard requirements. Each building has a required front yard, rear yard, and side yard. Please refer to the permit requirement pages for the specific structure you are proposing. If you have any questions, please call the zoning officer at 412-364-0616, ext. 129.

6. What is a Conditional Use?

A Conditional Use is a use of property which is permitted as long as the applicant can meet the explicit criteria contained in the Zoning Ordinance for that particular use.

A Conditional Use requires a public hearing before Town Council. In most circumstances, Town Council acts in a legislative capacity. However, in the case of a Conditional Use, Town Council acts in a quasi-judicial capacity in order to determine if the Conditional Use criteria are met.

Where the applicant can establish through evidence and testimony that the criteria have been met, Council is required to approve the Conditional Use application. A decision must be based solely on the evidence presented at the public hearing and the applicable law - no presuppositions, preferences, biases or public opinion may be taken into account.

Council is required to carefully consider the evidence put forth by the applicant, any interested party-objectors and the public in general at the public hearing. This evidence may include testimony and other documentary evidence such as plans, reports and drawings. Council is permitted to ask questions during the public hearing but should not give its opinions or take a position either for or against the application.

Town Council will review the evidence presented at the public hearing and is required to issue a written decision either approving or denying the Conditional Use application. If Council approves the application, Council may attached reasonable conditions which are consistent with the Town's Zoning Ordinance and state law.

7. What is a right-of-way?

The standard right-of-way (ROW) in the Town of McCandless is generally 50 feet The right-of-way extends 25 feet to each side from the center of the paved road, assuming the road is in the center of the right-of-way. Older roads may not have the same width and therefore the ROW would be calculated differently. The only way to be absolutely sure of the location of the right-of-way is to have your property surveyed and staked.

Please view the town code for the most accurate information regarding objects in the ROW such as temporary signs, shrubs, and foliage.

8. What is a variance?

A variance is relief granted from the Town Zoning Code by the Town of McCandless Zoning Hearing Board. To initiate a variance, an application (Zoning Hearing Board Procedure (PDF)) must be completed and submitted to the Zoning Office with a check in the amount of $200 for R-1 and R-2 zoned districts, $250 for all other zoning districts. The applicant must present evidence that the criteria specified in the application are met in order for the Zoning Hearing Board to grant a variance. Meetings take place on the 4th Wednesday of every month.

The Town must receive all required information and fees thirty days prior to the date of the hearing. The Town will advertise the hearing and give the applicant a placard, which is to be conspicuously placed on the property in question at least fifteen days prior to and up to the date of the hearing. The hearing will be held at the McCandless Town Hall, 9955 Grubbs Road, and all relevant testimony will be taken. If a decision is not rendered immediately following the conclusion of testimony, a future date of the decision will be announced. The decision of the Zoning Hearing Board may be appealed to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas within thirty days of the date of the decision. For more information, please visit the Zoning Hearing Board page.

9. What is an easement?

Easements are grants by a property owner to an entity to use its property for specified purposes. There are many types of easements. The easements, which are the subject of this article, are easements granted to the Town either specifically by the property owner or during the recording of the subdivision plan. Grants by the property owner are recorded by deed. Most easements are perpetual. Once granted by a property owner, the recipient of the easements retains their granted rights.

Plans are laid out by the developer. Plan recordings are reviewed by the Town engineer, Planning Commission, and Town Council. After Town Council approves, the plan is recorded by the developer. When lots are sold, the easements are required to be shown on the survey. Easements dedicated to the Town of McCandless cannot have any structures placed on them. The easements can be used as part of the required setback from property lines but cannot be built upon.

If you have any questions about easements, please call the Public Works Department at 412-364-0616, ext. 184, or the Zoning Office at ext. 129.

10. When do I need a building permit?

A building permit is required for the following: Shed over 100 square feet, inground pool, above-ground pool, hot tub (see above-ground pool requirements), covered patio/deck, enclosed/covered porch, open deck, covered deck, fence, shed/barn, retaining wall between 4 feet and 6 feet, detached garage, addition/renovations, new residential single-family dwelling, temporary structures, waterproofing/French drain, and new driveway.

Permits are also required for multi-family dwellings, additions/renovations, satellite dishes over 37 inches, towers, signs, commercial building, commercial additions/renovations, demolition residential/commercial. Please call the building department at 412-364-0616, ext. 128, for permit requirements.

For more information, please review the various building form applications and permit requirements for your project on our Building Permits, Applications and Forms page.

11. Yard signs? Political signs?

Signage (including political signs) may not be placed closer than 5 feet to the edge of the pavement on private property along McCandless roadways. They are prohibited on public property. Signage in violation of these regulations may be subject to removal. This keeps sight distance safe. View the Regulations on Signs in Right of Way (PDF) for more information.

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1. Are BB-guns permitted in the Town?

No person is permitted to discharge any firearm, air gun, spring gun, or other implement that impels with force a pellet or projectile of any kind.

2. Can a person or corporation distribute advertising information at my residence?

The Town has an ordinance that prohibits any person, firm, or corporation from distributing advertising materials at a residence by placing such material at a residence, on the property, or on the mailbox of the person owning or occupying the residence unless the person, firm, or corporation, its agents, servants, employees, and/or independent contractor distributing such materials is doing so at the resident's request or through the use of the United States mail service.

3. Can I have wild or dangerous animals as pets?

Wild or dangerous animals are those animals that are considered wild, fierce, dangerous, noxious, venomous, or naturally inclined to do harm, such as bears, cats (except domestic cats), crocodilians, porcupines, primates, raccoons, reptiles, spiders, and weasels. Their possession is prohibited by ordinance.

4. Does McCandless have a dog ordinance?

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires the owner of any dog to keep at all times such dog either confined within the premises of the owner, firmly secured by means of a collar and chain or other device so that it cannot stray beyond the premises on which it is secured, or under the reasonable voice control of some person. Dogs are also required to be licensed, quarantined if they bite, and vaccinated. Dog license applications are available at the police station.

5. Does the Town require a permit when someone is selling door to door?

The Town requires any transient vendor to obtain a permit. You may ask to see the permit that has been issued by the Town. Transient vendors may operate with their permit from Monday through Saturday, between the hours of 9 am and sunset. Persons who go onto residential property within the Town to solicit funds must also be registered with the Town. They are required to have an identification card issued by the Town. Their hours of operation are as follows:

• 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday, October 1 to April 30.
• 9 am to 9 pm, Monday through Saturday, May 1 to September 30.

Groups or individuals that solicit funds on business properties within the Town are also required to have a Town issued identification card.

For more information, view our vendors page.

6. How do you obtain a handicapped parking placard or registration plate?

Applications are available at the police department, at a notary's office, or through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. After it is obtained, your family doctor fills it out and it is returned to the Department of Transportation in Harrisburg. If you qualify, the Department of Transportation then issues the placard.

7. Is loud noise illegal?

Municipal ordinance prohibits loud, unusual, and unnecessary noise that annoys, injures, or endangers the comfort, repose, health, or welfare of nearby residents or visitors. The ordinance is not applicable to the use of lawnmowers, chainsaws, and other mechanical or motorized tools commonly used on residential property, provided the same shall only be used during daylight hours, but not before 8 am, prevailing time, and shall not be used in the operation of any business on the property. The ordinance is not applicable to noise created by normal land development between 6 am and 10 pm.

8. Is the use of fireworks permitted?

Anyone over the age of 18 can purchase fireworks. Consumers can purchase and use "Class C" or "consumer-grade" fireworks that include firecrackers, Roman Candles, bottle rockets, and similar fireworks that contain a maximum of 50 milligrams of explosive material ("Display fireworks," which are classified as including salutes that contain more than two grains or 130 milligrams of explosive materials, and professional-grade aerial shells containing more than 60 grams of pyrotechnic compositions, are still only to be used by professionals with a permit from the municipality where the display will take place.)

They cannot be ignited or discharged:

1. On a public or private property without the express permission of the property owner.
2. From or within a motor vehicle or building, toward a motor vehicle or building.
3. Within 150 feet of an occupied structure.
4. While the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or another drug.

9. What crime prevention services does the police department offer?

Representatives of the police department are available to speak with neighborhood or civic groups on a regular basis. In addition, officers are scheduled to present a variety of programs in all of the schools on a regular basis. Tours of the police station are available for scout groups. Call the Chief of Police to arrange for a speaker.

10. What designates a handicapped parking space?

Typically, handicapped parking spaces are designated by the posting of signs and the universal handicapped symbol painted in blue on the pavement. The painting of the symbol in the space is not enough; the signs have to be present.

11. What emergency preparedness plans does the Town have?

The Town of McCandless has developed an Emergency Management Plan to assist and protect residents should a catastrophe occur. All emergency service providers are an integral part of the Town's Emergency Management Plan. The plan includes provisions for warning notifications to be transmitted to residents via available media outlets, such as KDKA radio and by public safety vehicles equipped with public address systems.

The plan also offers provisions of food, water, and shelter to emergency or disaster related events. Fire Marshal Jeff Wissner is the emergency management coordinator for the Town. Any resident who has a question pertaining to emergency management situations or who has an interest in assisting, identifying, and providing resources that may be used during emergency situations, can call him at 412-364-0616, ext. 128.

For more on the Town's emergency management, view our emergency management page.

12. What is required to be on a vehicle that is parked in a handicapped parking space?

The motor vehicle must display a handicapped registration plate on the rear of the vehicle or a placard from the rear view mirror, or if not the mirror, then somewhere on the dashboard.

13. When must an accident be reported to the police?

All accidents should be reported; however, it is not a requirement. Accidents involving death, or personal injury, or if one or more vehicles cannot be driven from the scene under its own power, must be reported to the police department in the jurisdiction where the accident occurred. Fender-bender-type accidents in which there are no injuries and in which the vehicles are operable are not required to be reported; however, your insurance provider may require a police report. The rule of thumb would be to report all accidents in McCandless to the police.

14. When should I call 911?

• 911 is for emergencies.
• 412-473-3056 is for any other police calls.

You are to use 911 for any Fire, Police, or Emergency Medical Services (EMS) that you may need. There is a non-emergency number for Allegheny County's Dispatch Center which is 412-473-3056 and should be used for non-emergency and non-life-threatening situations, such as barking dog complaints or general questions. Please do not call the police station when you need the police to respond to an incident.

Several years ago 911 was created to streamline the dispatching of all emergency responders by developing 911 Dispatch Centers across the country. The Allegheny County 911 Dispatch Center dispatches all calls for police, fire, and EMS in Allegheny County by prioritizing calls so that true emergencies always receive priority over non-emergency calls. In an effort to make sure we do not miss any request for service, we have been trying ever since to re-train residents to use the County 911 Dispatch Center for any police assistance. In spite of our recurring efforts, people are still calling or leaving messages at the police station when they need police assistance, which is delaying our response and in some cases, they are calling the station even for emergencies. The police station is not equipped with the proper dispatching phones and if you call the station, we have to direct you to hang-up and dial the County 911 Dispatch Center. The County 911 Dispatch Center has many features in place to facilitate proper emergency response such as call recording/tracking, number identification and officer tracking so that police response is expedited most efficiently.

Please know that you are always welcome to come to the police station when you need advice or to file a report. The police department is always open and there is always an officer assigned to take walk-in reports. If the police station appears unattended after normal business hours, there is a wall-phone in the lobby that directly calls into the County 911 Dispatch Center. The dispatcher will contact the appropriate officer to respond to assist you at the station. We do have a voice mail system at the station, but sometimes it takes the officers hours before they are able to retrieve those messages because they are generally out in the community responding to calls, where their service is most needed.

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1. How do I get rid of TVs or other electronics? What about chemicals? Fluorescent lights? Other hard-to-recycle items?

Many of these items can be disposed of via the At Your Door Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and E-Waste Collection service offered through the Town's contract with Waste Management.

Other disposal information may be found on Allegheny County's Recycling Resource Guide Page.

2. My trash / recycling was not picked up. Who should I call?

Contact Waste Management at 800-866-4460. If you are experiencing ongoing issues related to trash and recycling, contact the Town at 412-364-0616.

3. What holidays cause trash and recycling pickup to be delayed?

If a holiday falls on a regularly scheduled workday, collections for the holiday and each day thereafter will be delayed by one day and Friday's material will be collected on Saturday. If these holidays fall on a weekend, the collection schedule will operate as it normally does.

• New Year's Day
• Memorial Day
• July 4
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

4. What should I do with extra trash that will not fit in my cart?

Call Waste Management 24 hours prior to your pickup day at 800-866-4460 to alert them of the extra pickup. You are permitted to put up to three bags of trash outside of your bin for two weeks in a row without being charged. On the third consecutive week, your account will be charged.

For more information on this subject, view our overflow/bulk item pickup costs page.

5. When does trick-or-treating take place?

Halloween trick-or-treating is held on October 31, from 6 to 8 pm.

This year, because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is advisable to follow the CDC and state guidelines regarding face coverings and social distancing while out trick-or-treating. Here are a few other suggestions to help celebrate the holiday safely:

• If you plan to trick-or-treat in a group, try to limit the size as much as possible. Carry hand sanitizer and try to use it any time you or your child come in direct contact with a participant outside your group.
• Trick-or-treaters should wash their hands when they get home.
• Additionally, trick-or-treaters should hold off on eating any candy until they get home

If you will be home on Halloween and expect trick-or-treaters to stop by, here are some tips:

• Homes that want to have visits by trick-or-treaters should have their homes/porches lit up to welcome costumed kiddos.
• Homes that do not want trick-or-treaters should be kept dark (to make it clear to trick-or-treaters to skip over that house).
• If you want trick-or-treaters to stop by but are at a higher risk of infections, consider leaving a candy bowl outside (or, perhaps leave some grab-and-go bags out for the kids).

6. Where do I vote?

A list of current polling places (as well as a link where you can find your polling place by typing in your address) can be found on our polling places page.

For other voting information (such as how to register and the Town's voting ward and district map), view our voting information page.

7. Which public school will my child attend if I am a resident of McCandless?

North Allegheny School District, ranked by Niche.com as one of the Best Districts in the Nation (#15), Best Districts in Pennsylvania (#3), Best District in the Pittsburgh area (#1), and Best District in Allegheny County (#1).

8. Who do I call when my trash / recycling / yard waste cart needs to be repaired or replaced?

Call Waste Management at 800-866-4460.

You are not responsible for payment unless the cart is damaged as a result of placing hot ashes inside or you intentionally destroy the cart.

9. Who do I contact regarding dye testing in McCandless?

Residents must contact the McCandless Township Sanitary Authority (MTSA) at 412-366-2700 to schedule and have dye testing performed on their property.

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1. What is the cost of a municipal lien letter?

A municipal no-lien letter is included when you request a tax certification. The cost is $20 if you are requesting the results to be mailed to you. The cost is $25 if you wish the results to be emailed or both mailed and faxed to you. You may send your request via the following options: 

• By Mail: 9955 Grubbs Road, Wexford, PA 15090
• By Fax: 412-364-5066
• By Email: Email Joanne Steigerwald  

In your request, include the homeowner’s name, address, and parcel identification number. Also, include the reason for the request. If you are mailing the request in, include your check (made out to “Town of McCandless”). If you want the results mailed back to you, include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request.

2. How can I pay my taxes?

Your Real Estate Taxes and Per Capita Taxes can be paid:

• In-person at Town Hall (via check made out to “Town of McCandless”, cash or credit card)
• By mail via check made out to “Town of McCandless.”
• Online via credit card or ACH direct debit.

Please note, if you pay with a credit card, you will be subject to a fee of 2.75 percent of the total amount. If you pay via ACH debit, you will pay a fee of $1.50.

Your Business Privilege Taxes can be paid:

• In-person at Town Hall via check made out to “Town of McCandless” or cash
• By mail via check made out to “Town of McCandless”

Your local Earned Income Tax (or Net Profits Tax) collection is handled by the Keystone Collections Group (724-978-0300).

3. What is the property tax millage rate for the Town, County and School District?

• Town of McCandless: 1.236 mills
• Allegheny County: 4.73 mills
• North Allegheny School District: 19.1408 mills

A mill generates $1 in tax for every $1,000 of a property’s assessed value.

4. As a landlord, do I have to report who my tenants are?

Pursuant to Section 329.06 of the Codified Ordinances of the Town of McCandless and Act 511 of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, all owners of rental property within the Town of McCandless shall submit the name and address of all persons occupying such property within 15 days of occupancy. The list shall include all tenants, regardless of whether their names appear on the lease.

View the tenant listing form.

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1. How do I apply to serve on Town boards, committees, etc?

A description of all Town Authorities, Boards, Commissions and Advisory Committees, as well as the application and the appointment policy may be found on our Authorities, Boards, Commissions and Advisory Committees Page.

If a specific vacancy occurs, the position will be advertised on the Town website for 30 days, unless a different length of time is set by Town Council. If feasible, the position will be advertised in other Town publications. Applicants will be interviewed by Town Council, and a majority vote by Council will lead to appointment.

Even if there is no vacancy, the Town is accepting applications all the time. Applications may be emailed to administration or mailed/hand-delivered to:

Town of McCandless
9955 Grubbs Road
Wexford, PA 15090

2. How do I contact Town Council members?

The home addresses, phone numbers and email contact forms for Town Council members may be found on our town council page and/or on our contact us page. View the Ward and Voting District Map to help you determine which ward you live in. The listing of which Councilmembers serve as chair and vice chair of committees may be found on our committees of council page.

If you are unsure of which Councilperson you need to contact or if you have any other questions, send an email to administration.

3. Where can I find meeting agendas and minutes?

Agendas are posted as they are completed and minutes are posted about a month after the conclusion of a meeting. If you want to see agendas and minutes that are no longer on the site, please send us a Right-to-Know Request.

4. When are Town Council meetings held?

Unless otherwise noted, Meetings of the Town Council are held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7:30 pm. More information on Town Council is available on our town council page.