Overview & Orientation
Mt. Lebanon is a home rule township in Allegheny County, in Pittsburgh’s South Hills. It covers about 6 square miles. Mt. Lebanon is known for its Uptown business district on Washington Road, the recreation complex in Mt. Lebanon Park, its stops on the T light rail line, the Mt. Lebanon School District, and a National Register historic district that takes in thousands of homes.
Where Mt. Lebanon Is
- County: Allegheny County
- Municipality type: Township, incorporated in 1912. Its home rule charter, one of the first in Pennsylvania, took effect in 1975.
- Size: About 6 square miles
- ZIP codes: 15216, 15226, 15228, 15234, and 15243. Mt. Lebanon addresses use “Pittsburgh, PA” as the mailing city, even though Mt. Lebanon is its own municipality.
- Bordering communities: Dormont and the City of Pittsburgh’s Brookline and Banksville neighborhoods (northeast), Castle Shannon and Baldwin Township (east), Bethel Park and Upper St. Clair (south), and Scott Township (west)
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate. Traffic varies by time of day.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 15–25 minutes |
| Oakland | 20–30 minutes |
| South Hills Village | 10–15 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 25–35 minutes |
| Cranberry Township | 40–50 minutes |
A Brief History
The first European settlers arrived in 1773 and 1774. The name comes from Mount Lebanon in the Middle East, chosen because the landscape looked similar, not from the cedar trees once planted along Washington Road.
The first streetcar line to Pittsburgh opened on July 1, 1901, and Mt. Lebanon grew as a streetcar suburb. It incorporated as a township in 1912. The Liberty Tunnel opened in 1924 and gave drivers a direct route to Downtown. The population jumped from 2,258 in 1920 to 13,403 in 1930.
Notable Landmarks
- Mt. Lebanon Historic District: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014, with about 4,400 buildings developed from 1874 to about 1945. See the township’s historic properties page.
- Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building: 710 Washington Road, itself listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- Mt. Lebanon Golf Course: A nine-hole public course on 99 acres at 1000 Pine Avenue. It began as the Castle Shannon Golf Club in 1907, and the township bought it in 1947.
- Uptown Mt. Lebanon: The business district along Washington Road, with shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and galleries
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
- Historic district: About 4,400 buildings sit inside the National Register historic district, most built between the 1870s and the 1940s.
- Architectural styles: The township lists Tudor, Colonial Revival, Bungalow, Foursquare, Dutch Colonial, and French Provincial among its common styles.
- Growth era: The township grew fastest in the streetcar and Liberty Tunnel years. Its population rose nearly sixfold during the 1920s.
- Design help: The township’s Historic Preservation Board publishes an online design guide covering roofs, windows, masonry, porches, garages, and more.
Types of Homes
Many of Mt. Lebanon’s homes are early- to mid-20th-century single-family houses in the styles above. Apartment and condominium buildings are found along and near Washington Road.
Prices and availability change daily. That means the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Mt. Lebanon.
Schools
Public Schools
Mt. Lebanon is served by the Mt. Lebanon School District. District offices are at Mt. Lebanon High School, 7 Horsman Drive, (412) 344-2000.
- Foster Elementary School (K–5)
- Hoover Elementary School (K–5)
- Howe Elementary School (K–5)
- Jefferson Elementary School (K–5)
- Lincoln Elementary School (K–5)
- Markham Elementary School (K–5)
- Washington Elementary School (K–5)
- Jefferson Middle School (6–8)
- Andrew W. Mellon Middle School (6–8)
- Mt. Lebanon High School (9–12)
Elementary and middle school assignment depends on address. Confirm with the district.
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and other Oakland campuses
- Duquesne University (Bluff, near Downtown)
- Community College of Allegheny County South Campus (West Mifflin)
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
- Washington Road (U.S. Route 19 Truck): The main road through Uptown and the township
- Cochran Road, Bower Hill Road, and Castle Shannon Boulevard: Key local routes connecting neighborhoods with Uptown and nearby communities
- Liberty Tunnel: Opened in 1924, the most direct driving route to Downtown
Public Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) runs light rail, known locally as the T, through Mt. Lebanon. The Red Line stops at Mt. Lebanon, Poplar, and Arlington stations, and runs through the Mt. Lebanon Tunnel. Mt. Lebanon station, at Shady Drive East and Alfred Road, connects to the 38 bus and has walkways to two township parking garages on Washington Road. PRT has scheduled light rail work through 2027, so check the PRT trip planner for current service.
Walkability & Bikeability
See Walk Score for Mt. Lebanon, PA for walking, transit, and bike ratings.
Things to Do
Parks
Mt. Lebanon’s park system covers about 200 acres across 15 parks and parklets. Together they hold five ball fields, eight basketball courts, eight playgrounds, five picnic shelters, and hiking trails.
Mt. Lebanon Park
900 Cedar Boulevard. The township’s main park and home to the Recreation Center, Ice Center, Swim Center, and Tennis Center.
Other parks
Bird Park, Twin Hills Trails Park, the LEBO Arboretum, Robb Hollow Park, Rockwood Park, Williamsburg Park, and more
Recreation
- Ice Center: A regulation 200-by-85-foot main rink plus a smaller studio rink, (412) 561-4363
- Swim Center: A 50-meter outdoor pool open in summer, with a zero-depth leisure pool, a double slide tower, and a climbing wall, (412) 561-6626
- Tennis Center: 15 courts, including four platform courts, with courts covered for indoor play from October to April, (412) 343-3411
- Golf Course: Nine holes at 1000 Pine Avenue. Tee times: (412) 561-9761.
- Programs: The Recreation Department offers classes and programs year-round, (412) 343-3409
Annual Events
- Uptown Market (May to October): Saturday mornings in Uptown, with farmers, makers, and artists
- Mt. Lebanon Artists’ Market (September): A weekend art market in Uptown
- Pumpkin Patch Parade (October 31): A Halloween parade along Washington Road
See the township’s calendar of events for current dates.
Dining & Shopping
- Uptown Mt. Lebanon: Boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops, and galleries along Washington Road
- Rollier’s Hardware: 600 Washington Road, a local hardware store in Mt. Lebanon since 1953
- South Hills Village: A larger shopping center 10 to 15 minutes south
Library
The Mt. Lebanon Public Library is at 16 Castle Shannon Boulevard, (412) 531-1912. Founded in 1932, it holds more than 140,000 books and offers public computers and programs.
Local Services & Resources
Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building
710 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228
Phone: (412) 343-3400
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Website: mtlebanon.org
Commission meetings: See agendas and minutes for the current schedule.
Utilities
- Trash and recycling: Collected by the township’s contractor, Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill/County Hauling. Garbage is picked up weekly and recycling every two weeks. See garbage collection details for the street-by-street schedule.
- Leaves: The township’s Public Works Department runs leaf collection in the fall
- Electric: Duquesne Light
- Service requests: Call (412) 343-3400 during business hours, or use the township’s myLebo online portal
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Mt. Lebanon Police: Public Safety Building, 555 Washington Road. Records: (412) 343-4143.
- Fire: Mt. Lebanon Fire Department, 555 Washington Road
- EMS: Medical Rescue Team South Authority, which serves Mt. Lebanon and other South Hills communities. Administration: (412) 343-5111.
Hospitals Nearby
- St. Clair Hospital (1000 Bower Hill Road, in Mt. Lebanon), (412) 942-4000
Permits & Zoning
Mt. Lebanon requires permits for many common projects, including fences, decks, additions, sheds, driveways and parking pads, patios, pools, roofing, window replacements, and furnace or air conditioning installations. Contact the Inspection Office on the second floor of the Municipal Building, (412) 343-3408, before starting work. Projects in the National Register historic district can be discussed with the township’s historic preservation staff liaison.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Mt. Lebanon, PA in?
Mt. Lebanon is in Allegheny County, in Pittsburgh’s South Hills.
Is Mt. Lebanon part of the City of Pittsburgh?
No. Mt. Lebanon is a separate home rule township, incorporated in 1912. Its addresses use “Pittsburgh, PA” as the mailing city.
What school district serves Mt. Lebanon?
The Mt. Lebanon School District. It operates seven elementary schools, Jefferson and Mellon Middle Schools, and Mt. Lebanon High School.
How long is the drive from Mt. Lebanon to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 15 to 25 minutes, usually through the Liberty Tunnel. Traffic varies by time of day. The T light rail is another option.
Is there public transit in Mt. Lebanon?
Yes. PRT’s Red Line light rail stops at Mt. Lebanon, Poplar, and Arlington stations and runs to Downtown Pittsburgh.
What recreation facilities does Mt. Lebanon have?
Mt. Lebanon Park on Cedar Boulevard has an ice center, a 50-meter outdoor swim center, and a tennis center, and the township runs a nine-hole public golf course on Pine Avenue. About 200 acres of parks include ball fields, playgrounds, and trails.
What types of homes are in Mt. Lebanon?
Many are early- to mid-20th-century single-family homes in styles like Tudor, Colonial Revival, Bungalow, and Foursquare. About 4,400 buildings are in the township’s National Register historic district.
Do I need a permit for a fence in Mt. Lebanon?
Yes. New and replacement fences need a fence permit from the Inspection Office, (412) 343-3408.
Where is the Mt. Lebanon municipal building?
The Municipal Building is at 710 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228. The phone number is (412) 343-3400.
Thinking About a Move to Mt. Lebanon?
Whether you are buying in Mt. Lebanon or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Mt. Lebanon 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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