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HomePublic Meetings

Attending Public Meetings

Pennsylvania's Open Meetings Law, or"Sunshine Act," gives you the right to attend and participate in government meetings at the state and local levels where public policy is decided.  In addition, the you have the right to be notified of public meetings, and to have access to minutes and meeting archives.  Examples of public meetings include council meetings at the county, city, township and borough level, school board meetings, pension boards,  subcommittees, and commissions. Anyone can attend a meeting.

Each organization has its own rules about making a public comment at a meeting or submitting a public comment. For the specifics, look at the website of the organization. In general, you need to sign up online to make a comment, and comments are limited to two to three minutes. If you are making a public comment, it's also good to submit it in writing. That way it goes into the public record in a way that is more easily accessible for reference than a video recording of a public meeting.  

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Pennsylvania's "Sunshine Act"
"The General Assembly hereby declares it to be the public policy of this Commonwealth to insure the right of its citizens to have notice of and the right to attend all meetings of agencies at which any agency business is discussed or acted upon as provided in this chapter..."   Pennsylvania Title 65, Chapter 7, "Open Meetings"
View the full text of the Sunshine Act here:  
PA Sunshine Act

Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions here:
PA Office of Open Records

Allegheny County Government Meetings
Allegheny County Council
County Council meetings are held in person in the Gold Room on the 4th floor of the County Courthouse, 436 Grant Street, and are also streamed live.  

County Council meets twice a month on Tuesdays at 5pm, unless otherwise noted. View the County Council Meeting Schedule

View live meetings and recordings of previous meetings on the County Council YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@accounciltv/streams 

You can find agendas, minutes and meeting notices on Allegheny County Legistar.


How to Sign Up to Make a Comment
  • Speakers must submit a request to comment at least 24 hours before the meeting.
  • You must attend in-person in order to speak.  Otherwise, you may submit your comment in writing.
For complete details, see the Allegheny County website:   Allegheny County Council


Allegheny County Board of Elections
Board of Elections (BOE) meetings are held in person in the Gold Room on the 4th floor of the County Courthouse, 436 Grant Street, and are also streamed live on the county Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/AlleghenyCounty  

The Board of Elections schedules regular meetings 14 days before and 20 days after each primary, special or general election held in Allegheny County.  Additional meetings are often scheduled during election seasons as the need arises.  To receive notice of scheduled meetings and other BOE decisions, subscribe to the Allegheny Votes e-Newsletter.

Rules for Public Comments
  • Speakers must email the BOE at BOE@alleghenycounty.us  at least 24 hours before the meeting to submit a comment.  
  • The email should state whether you intend to speak in person or submit your comment in writing.  Written comments will be summarized at the meeting.
Find complete details see the Allegheny County website:   Allegheny County Board of Elections

City of Pittsburgh Government Meetings
Pittsburgh City Council
County Council meetings are held in person in Council Chambers, located on the fifth floor of the City-County Building, 414 Grant Street, and are also streamed live on the city's YouTube channel:   https://www.youtube.com/@CityChannelPittsburgh

The City Council schedule agenda and other details are posted on the City Council Schedule Webpage

How to Sign Up to Make a Comment
  • Speakers must register by 9:00 am on the day of the meeting in order to speak.
  • You may sign up using the form on the  City Council Schedule Webpage or by calling the City Clerk's office at (412) 255-2138.
  •  You must attend in-person in order to speak.  Otherwise, you may submit your written comment by emailing cityclerksoffice@pittsburghpa.gov 

City of Pittsburgh
Board & Commission Meetings
Pittsburgh's City Meeting Hub lists upcoming and recent meetings of city boards and commissions, as well as Public Hearings:  www.pittsburghpa.gov/City-Meeting-Hub

Meeting locations, web links, agendas and reports are provided for each meeting.  

Recordings of past meetings can be found on the city's YouTube channel:  www.youtube.com/@CityChannelPittsburgh   
Other Municipalities
Other Municipalities 

in Allegheny County
Allegheny County is home to 131 municipalities, and we can't provide schedules and meeting procedures for all of them, but we can help you find the resources you need.

Start with a web search for your township, borough or city.  Most municipalities maintain a website where you can find information on meeting schedules, procedures, and contact information. 

If you do not find a website
, you can find contact information for your municipality on this  Allegheny County Municipal Map & List.  
  • Choose your municipality by clicking on the map or choosing from the alphabetical list.
  • Click on the name of your municipality in the top line of this Community Profile page.  You will be taken to the municipality website, if there is one.
  • If there is no website, scroll down to find the designated Community Contact for your municipality.

School Board Meetings
Pittsburgh Public Schools
The Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Directors holds several types of meetings:
  • Public Hearings are held in Conference Room A of the Administration Building, 341 S. Bellefield Avenue in Oakland. Public Hearing Meetings are held on the Monday before the Legislative Meeting.

How to Sign Up to Make a Comment:

  • Agenda Review Meetings, where agenda items are discussed are normally* held on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:00pm.  Public comments are not accepted at these meetings.
  • Legislative Meetings, where board members vote on agenda items are normally* on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:00 pm.  Public comments are not accepted at these meetings.

The Agenda Review and Legislative meetings are live-streamed at this link:  vimeo.com/event/2209618 

*Check the district calendar to confirm meeting dates:  www.pghschools.org/calendar


Other School Districts 

in Allegheny County
Allegheny County is home to over 40 school districts, and we can't provide schedules and meeting procedures for all of them. Your district's website should have the information you need.  Use the phrase "board meeting" in your search to help you reach the relevant page.  

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU) maintains a list of district websites for Allegheny County school districts.  Scroll down on the page to find the list.