Reading, PA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Reading has not adopted an urban-beekeeping ordinance comparable to those in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, or Lansdale Borough. Chapter 141 of the Reading Code at https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/readingpa/latest/reading_pa/0-0-0-6316 makes no specific allowance for backyard hives in residential districts. In the absence of an express ordinance, the practical effect is that any hive proposed within City limits is subject to (1) the Section 141-215 permit framework for animals not customarily kept indoors, reviewed by the Animal Control Board, and (2) potential nuisance enforcement under Section 141-204 if a hive triggers complaints about swarms or stings. At the state level the Pennsylvania Bee Law (3 Pa.C.S. Section 2101 et seq. at https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/pda/documents/plants_land_water/plantindustry/entomology/apiary/documents/pa%20bee%20law.pdf) requires every person owning or maintaining an apiary in the Commonwealth to register with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and submit hives to inspection by the State Apiarist; registration is approximately $10 for two years and supports tracking of American foulbrood and other diseases. Reading residents interested in beekeeping should: (1) confirm zoning and obtain any required Animal Control Board permit with the Property Maintenance Division at 815 Washington Street; (2) register apiaries with PDA at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/plants-land-water/plant-industry/entomology/apiary-pollinator-services; and (3) follow Penn State Extension best practices (water source, hive orientation, setbacks from property lines) to avoid neighbor complaints. The Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association (https://www.pastatebeekeepers.org/) maintains a Berks County chapter that mentors new urban beekeepers.