Overview & Orientation
Lower Burrell is a third-class city in Westmoreland County, on the south bank of the Allegheny River northeast of Pittsburgh. It covers about 11.3 square miles of land. Lower Burrell is known for Burrell Lake Park, K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial Park, the Leechburg Road business corridor, and the Burrell School District.
Where Lower Burrell Is
- County: Westmoreland County
- Municipality type: Third-class city, chartered in 1959. It is governed by a mayor and four council members under a commission form of government.
- Size: About 11.3 square miles of land
- ZIP code: 15068, shared with New Kensington. Local addresses are written both ways, so confirm an address sits inside the City of Lower Burrell when checking schools or permits.
- Bordering communities: New Kensington (west), Upper Burrell Township (east), and Plum in Allegheny County (southwest, across Pucketa Creek). The Allegheny River forms the northern edge, with Harrison Township and Natrona Heights on the far bank.
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate. Traffic varies by time of day.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 35–45 minutes |
| Oakland | 35–45 minutes |
| Monroeville | 25–35 minutes |
| Pittsburgh Mills (Frazer) | 10–15 minutes |
| Greensburg | 40–50 minutes |
| Cranberry Township | 40–50 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 55–65 minutes |
A Brief History
European settlement began in the 1760s. In 1852, Burrell Township was carved out of Allegheny Township by order of Judge Jeremiah Murry Burrell, who gave it his name. In 1879 it split into Lower Burrell and Upper Burrell Townships.
New Kensington annexed parts of the township in the 1930s, and residents pushed for city status. Referendums failed in 1945 and 1956. The third passed on November 4, 1958, by 2,061 to 838.
Governor George M. Leader signed the city charter on January 12, 1959. The population nearly tripled between 1945 and 1960, from 4,214 to 12,543.
Notable Landmarks
- Allegheny River Lock and Dam No. 4: Built between 1920 and 1927, the dam spans the river along Lower Burrell’s northern edge, with the lock on the Harrison Township shore. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
- Burrell Lake Park: The city park built around a lake at 209 Delberta Road, home to Fisher Hall.
- K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial Park: Off Wildlife Lodge Road, with an archway entrance honoring the Lower Burrell police K-9 officer the park is named for.
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
- Housing units: About 5,400, according to the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2020–2024).
- Growth era: Much of the city grew in the postwar years. The population nearly tripled between 1945 and 1960.
- Terrain: Bon Air, Central City, and Gladeview sit on large stretches of flat land. Other sections climb gentle slopes, and some areas have steep hillsides above the river.
- Named sections: Bon Air, Braeburn, Central City, Gladeview, and Kinloch
Certificate of Compliance for Home Sales
Lower Burrell requires a certificate of compliance before a building changes ownership, under Chapter 228 of the city code, Real Estate Sales. The seller notifies the Code Enforcement Officer of the transfer date, and the city inspects within 10 days. A provisional certificate may be issued with corrections due by a set date. That means sellers should build the inspection into the listing timeline from day one.
Prices and availability change daily. That means the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Lower Burrell.
Schools
Public Schools
Lower Burrell is served by the Burrell School District, headquartered at 1021 Puckety Church Road. The district also serves Upper Burrell Township.
- Bon Air Elementary School (K–5)
- Charles A. Huston Middle School (6–8)
- Burrell High School (9–12)
A small section of the city known as the “40 Acres” is assigned to the New Kensington-Arnold School District. Confirm the district for any address.
Career & Technical Education
Career and technical programs are offered through Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center.
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- Penn State New Kensington (Upper Burrell Township). Penn State’s trustees voted in May 2025 to close the campus after spring 2027.
- University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg and Seton Hill University (Greensburg)
- Westmoreland County Community College (Youngwood)
- University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and other Oakland campuses
For school performance data, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Future Ready PA Index and the district’s own website. School assignments can change. Confirm directly with the district.
Getting Around
Major Roads
- Leechburg Road: The city’s main commercial corridor, with shopping plazas, restaurants, medical offices, and Bon Air Elementary
- PA Route 56: Enters from New Kensington and continues east toward Vandergrift
- PA Route 366 (Greensburg Road): Runs south through the city toward Plum
- PA Route 780 (Seventh Street Road): Heads northeast into Upper Burrell Township
- PA Route 28: The expressway to Pittsburgh, reached from New Kensington over the C.L. Schmitt Bridge or the Tarentum Bridge
Public Transit
Lower Burrell is served by Westmoreland Transit, not Pittsburgh Regional Transit. Route 14F, the New Kensington-Pittsburgh Flyer, links Vandergrift, Lower Burrell, and New Kensington with Downtown Pittsburgh. Local Routes 12, 14, and 15 connect the area with New Kensington, Pittsburgh Mills, Greensburg, and Vandergrift. The Hillcrest Plaza park-and-ride in Lower Burrell serves Routes 14, 14F, and 15. Call (724) 834-9282 for current schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
See Walk Score for Lower Burrell, PA for walking, transit, and bike ratings.
Things to Do
Parks
Lower Burrell’s city parks are managed by the Department of Public Works and Parks, (724) 889-2007. Pavilions, Fisher Hall, and athletic fields can be reserved through the online park reservation system. Alcohol is not permitted in city parks.
Burrell Lake Park
209 Delberta Road. A lake with reservable pavilions and Fisher Hall, an indoor rental space. Each June it hosts a free youth fishing derby.
K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial Park
Off Wildlife Lodge Road. Renamed from Wolf Pack Park in 2016. It has a baseball field and a dog park with two sections, named for police dogs Benny and Odin.
Recreation
- Wildlife Lanes: The city’s bowling center at 1000 Wildlife Lodge Road, with a bar and food
- Fishing: Burrell Lake, the site of the annual youth fishing derby
- Dog park: Two fenced sections at Kotecki Park
Annual Events
- Lower Burrell Farmers Market (late spring to early fall): Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Bon Air Elementary parking lot at 3260 Leechburg Road
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March): On Leechburg Road. The city made it an official annual event in 2021.
- Youth Fishing Derby (June): At Burrell Lake Park, hosted by the Tri-County Trout Club, the Lower Burrell Parks Commission, and American Legion Post 868
See the city calendar for dates.
Dining & Shopping
- Glen’s Frozen Custard: Founded in 1948, Glen’s opened its Lower Burrell stand in 2010. It typically opens the second Thursday of March and closes the day before Thanksgiving.
- Jerry’s Custard: 2705 Seventh Street Road. Founded in 1978 and open seasonally, with picnic areas on site.
- Gus Franco’s Pizza: A pizza shop the Tribune-Review featured among Lower Burrell’s local standouts
- Leechburg Road plazas: Day-to-day shopping at Burrell Plaza and Hillcrest Plaza
- Pittsburgh Mills: A larger shopping center in Frazer, 10 to 15 minutes away
Library
The Peoples Library Lower Burrell Branch is at 3052 Wachter Drive, (724) 339-1565. The main library is at 880 Barnes Street, New Kensington, (724) 339-1021.
Local Services & Resources
Lower Burrell City Hall
2800 Bethel Street, Lower Burrell, PA 15068
Phone: (724) 335-9875
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, except holidays
Website: cityoflowerburrell.com
Council meetings: See agendas and minutes for the current schedule.
Utilities
- Public Works: (724) 889-2007. The Public Works page covers stormwater, street opening permits, and street light outages.
- Trash and recycling: Waste Management, under a city contract that moved residents to wheeled recycling carts in 2023. Call City Hall for the current schedule.
- Sewer: Billed through the city’s Treasurer and Tax Office
- Snow removal: City crews plow once about 2 inches have fallen and more is expected, main roads first. See snow removal details.
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Lower Burrell Police: Police department page. 2800 Bethel Street, (724) 339-4287.
- Fire: Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 (Kinloch), (724) 339-8855, and Volunteer Fire Department No. 3 (Lower Burrell), (724) 339-9611
- Animal control: Hoffman Kennels, (724) 468-5505
Hospitals Nearby
- AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital (Natrona Heights), with an emergency department
- UPMC primary care offices (2500 Leechburg Road)
Permits & Zoning
Before a renovation, addition, fence, or sign, start with the city’s Zoning and Building page. Zoning approval from the city comes first. Building permits are then handled by the city’s code agency, Code.sys Code Consulting. The full city code is on eCode360.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Lower Burrell, PA in?
Lower Burrell is in Westmoreland County, along the Allegheny River northeast of Pittsburgh. It borders Plum in Allegheny County.
Is Lower Burrell part of New Kensington?
No. Lower Burrell is an independent third-class city, chartered in 1959. It shares ZIP code 15068 with New Kensington, so addresses may be written with either name.
What school district serves Lower Burrell?
The Burrell School District. It operates Bon Air Elementary, Charles A. Huston Middle School, and Burrell High School, and also serves Upper Burrell Township. A small section called the “40 Acres” is assigned to the New Kensington-Arnold School District.
How long is the drive from Lower Burrell to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 35 to 45 minutes. Traffic varies by time of day.
Is there public transit from Lower Burrell to Pittsburgh?
Yes. Westmoreland Transit’s Route 14F, the New Kensington-Pittsburgh Flyer, connects Lower Burrell with Downtown Pittsburgh. It stops at the Hillcrest Plaza park-and-ride.
What parks are in Lower Burrell?
The two main city parks are Burrell Lake Park on Delberta Road and K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial Park off Wildlife Lodge Road.
Is there a dog park in Lower Burrell?
Yes. K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial Park has a dog park with two sections.
Do sellers in Lower Burrell need an inspection before a sale?
Yes. Chapter 228 of the city code requires a certificate of compliance from the Code Enforcement Officer before a building changes ownership.
Where is the Lower Burrell municipal building?
City Hall is at 2800 Bethel Street, Lower Burrell, PA 15068. The phone number is (724) 335-9875.
Thinking About a Move to Lower Burrell?
Whether you are buying in Lower Burrell or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Lower Burrell listings, or reach out to our team.
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
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Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
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