FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What about getting my leaves and Christmas tree picked up?
2. How do I request a street repair, or get a pothole filled?
3. What do I do with concerns about Borough trees between the sidewalk and the curb?
4. How do I obtain a handicapped parking permit?
5. How do I apply for a building or demolition permit?
6. Who do I talk to about Wage and Occupational Privilege Tax?
7. Who do I talk to about Real Estate taxes?
8. What is required for a sale of property?
9. Is a dye test required for the sale of property?
10. Does Oakmont have a Chamber of Commerce?
11. I am new to Oakmont. Where can I find information?
12. I received a letter stating that I owe delinquent taxes. What do I do?
13. I received a letter stating that I owe delinquent taxes, but I know I already paid them. What do I do?
14. Why hasn't my street been plowed?
15. As a property owner, what am I responsible for?
16. What do I do if my street light goes out?
17. What do I do about animal complaints?

What about getting my leaves and Christmas tree picked up?

Public Works crews pick up leaves raked between the sidewalk and the curb or behind the curb usually from October through mid-December, depending on weather influences. If you bag your leaves and set them at the curb, both the Borough and our garbage hauler will pick them up. Please do not rake leaves into the streets, which results in expensive repairs to clogged Borough sewers and may present a fire hazard to vehicles parked over dry leaves. Borough Crews pick up Christmas trees placed at the curb for a reasonable time after the holiday season. Our garbage hauler will also pick up Christmas trees on collection days.

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How do I request a street repair, or get a pothole filled?

Call the Borough Office with the location of the problem. The Borough Manager authorizes these repairs, and a Work Order will go to the Street Crew to make the repairs. Keep in mind that during the freeze-thaw cycles of winter, it is very difficult to keep asphalt in a pothole.

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What do I do with concerns about Borough trees between the sidewalk and the curb?

Contact the Borough Office. A Work Order will be sent to the Shade Tree Commission to inspect the tree. The Shade Tree Commission must approve the tree service used to do any work on a Borough tree. Some expenses for Oakmont's shade trees are shared between the Borough and residents. Cost for pruning is assumed by the Borough. The cost for removal of a tree is shared equally by the Borough and the resident. The cost of stump removals and new trees are assumed entirely by the Borough. The Shade Tree commission, by ordinance, is prohibited from removing a tree that is healthy or not a safety threat.

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How do I obtain a handicapped parking permit?

You must first have a handicapped license. Applications for a handicapped parking permit can be obtained at the Borough Office. The fee is $25.00 a year. Your physician, as well as Oakmont Borough Council, must approve the request. Contact the Police Department at 412.826.1578 if you have questions.

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How do I apply for a building or demolition permit?

Contact our Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer Ed Crates at (412) 781-4510 before you begin.

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Who do I talk to about Wage and Occupational Privilege Tax?

Contact Pennsylvania Municipal Service Company (PAMS) who collects these taxes for the Borough at: 412.828.8690.

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Who do I talk to about Real Estate taxes?

For the current year's taxes, contact the Tax Collector at: 412.826.9513. For previous years, or delinquent, taxes, contact the Delinquent Tax Collector at 412.828.3232.

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What is required for a sale of property?

In most cases, you are required to have a Municipal Lien Letter ($35.00 fee) and/or a Tax Certification letter ($10.00) from the Borough for your closing, stating that there are no delinquent tax liens, or any other liens, against your property. These letters must be requested in writing to the Borough of Oakmont. Before the Borough can release the Lien Letter, a Certificate of Occupancy must be filed by the buyer and the seller. These forms can be obtained at the Borough office and must be notarized before returning to the Borough Office.

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Is a dye test required for the sale of a property?

The Seller's Certificate of Occupancy (see above) must certify that the storm and sanitary sewer waters have been separated on the property. If the homeowner is not sure if this has already been accomplished, then a dye test will be required at the owner's expense.

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Does Oakmont have a Chamber of Commerce?

Yes, for information about the Oakmont Chamber of Commerce please contact Summer Tissue at P.O. Box 384, 504 Allegheny River Blvd. Oakmont, PA 15139, Office: 412.828.3238, Cell: 412.496.8941 info@oakmont-pa.com or visit the website: www.oakmont-pa.com

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I am new to Oakmont. Where can I find information?

Welcome to Oakmont! There are packets of information about Oakmont businesses available through Summer Tissue at the Oakmont Chamber of Commerce at 412.828.3238. Any other questions you may have, please feel free to contact the Borough Office. We will be happy to help you in any way.

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I received a letter stating that I owe delinquent taxes. What do I do?

Contact the Delinquent Tax Collector at 412.828.3232. If you intend to pay them, the amount you will owe has to be calculated based on how long you've owed them.

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I received a letter stating that I owe delinquent taxes, but I know I already paid them. What do I do?

If you feel that an error has been made, please provide copies of both sides of your cancelled checks as proof of payment. If your taxes are paid by a mortgage company, it is your responsibility to obtain proof of payment from them.

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Why hasn't my street been plowed?

Emergency routes have to be a priority for salting and plowing during winter. Emergency routes include: Hulton Road, Virginia Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue and Washington Avenue. The Public Works crew makes every effort to get to all other streets as soon as possible. If your street needs to be cleaned, contact the Borough Office at 412.828.3232.

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As a property owner, what am I responsible for?

Property owners are responsible for maintaining their property and the Borough right-of-way abutting their properties in a safe and healthy manner.

Sidewalks: Sidewalk repairs must be performed according to Borough specifications which are available at the Borough Office. If the sidewalk has buckled because of underlying tree roots, the resident is permitted to remove tree roots in order to maintain a level sidewalk.

Snow Removal: Residents are required to remove snow from their sidewalks within 12 hours of the end of the snowfall. Overhanging Tree Limbs: Residents are required to keep tree limbs from their properties that overhang the sidewalks trimmed to above 10' from the sidewalk.

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What do I do if my street light goes out?

If at all possible, obtain the number on the metal tag on the light pole and report the pole number and the pole's location to the Borough Office 412.828.3232. We will contact Duquesne Light with the location and the pole number.

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What do I do about animal complaints?

Animal control is handled through the Police Department. Their non-emergency number is 412.826.1578.