Welcome To Ben Avon Heights Borough!
Brief Borough History
The Borough of Ben Avon Heights is situated on a hill above the Ohio River just nine miles from the city of Pittsburgh, PA. The approximately two square mile area Borough is primarily a residential community with 142 homes, a lovely community park, and one commercial property, the Shannopin Country Club. Some have described the neighborhood as A Norman Rockwell Kind of Community.
The Borough is governed by a mayor and borough council all of whom serve as elected volunteers. The Borough has a storied past and has included many past mayors and burgesses and well as an interesting history of places where voting has occured.
The current borough real estate tax rate is 7.95 mills and a wage or earned income tax of one half of one percent. The borough’s annual budget is about $500,000. Demographics from 2010 are available.
For a complete history of the formation of Ben Avon Heights Borough, please visit the Borough History page.
Notice of Public Hearing Concerning Adoption of a New Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map
In accordance with Article VI of Act 247 of 1968 (the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as reenacted and amended), Notice is hereby given that the Council of the Borough of Ben Avon Heights will conduct a Public Hearing on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at Shannopin Country Club, 1 Windmere Road, Ben Avon Heights, Pennsylvania, to hear testimony and admit relevant evidence concerning the adoption of a new Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map that will repeal and replace the existing Zoning Ordinance, originally adopted as Ordinance No. 261 (as amended by multiple subsequent Ordinances).
The proposed Zoning Ordinance sets out the purpose, findings and community development objectives to be achieved through the Ordinance. Numerous new definitions have been added and new yard type illustrations have been included. New zoning districts have been added with the Borough zoning districts now being single-family recreation, community recreation and conservation & open space districts. Tables setting forth lot sizes, widths, principal structure heights, setbacks and lot coverages have been included for each zoning district. A number of new accessory uses and structures have been detailed, including standards. Express standards and procedures for conditional uses and special exceptions have been amplified. Supplemental regulations on performance standards, screening and lighting, outdoor storage, utilities, exterior finishes and temporary uses have been implemented. Parking guidelines including drawings, standards/ratios and off-street loading have been added. Comprehensive language on signs, including prohibited signs and temporary signs have been expanded. Provisions on nonconforming uses, structures and lots have been updated. Zoning administration and enforcement language is more detailed with permit procedures and enforcement mechanisms explained. Duties of the planning commission, zoning officer and zoning hearing board are set forth. A new zoning map with the updated districts is included.
The proposed Ordinance and Zoning Map will be available for public inspection at the Board Secretary’s Office by appointment (412) 766-1561, bahb.secretary@gmail.com , from now until final passage; also see online at www.benavonheightsborough.com.
Borough Council may take action to adopt the Ordinance at its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 9, 7:00 p.m. at Shannopin County Club, 1 Windmere Road, Ben Avon Heights (Pittsburgh) Pennsylvania.
2025 Annual Report
The Ben Avon Heights Borough Council is pleased to make available the 2025 Annual Report.
Ben Avon Heights Borough is in very good financial health.
In 2023, Ben Avon Heights Borough was awarded two grants ($149,000 and $257,054) from the State of Pennsylvania to improve the quality of its sewer system. These were major wins in our continuing effort to improve the sanitary infrastructure in the borough. We implemented Phase I of the Sanitary O&M Project in 2024 and will utilize the $149,000 grant for this Phase. We intend to implement Phase II in 2025-2026 and will utilize the second grant.
In 2024 and 2025, Ben Avon Heights Borough was awarded additional grants for $181,000 and $250,000 to improve the curbs and sidewalk on Canterbury, in an effort to increase pedestrian safety and improve ADA access. We will start this project in 2026 and apply this work to the grant.
We encourage each Resident to review the 2025 Annual Report to find out all the details.