Reading, PA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Section 141-220 of Reading's Code of Ordinances at https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/readingpa/latest/reading_pa/0-0-0-6548 establishes the Animal Control Board and lists its powers, which expressly include granting permits 'for the keeping of exotic animals, domestic agricultural animals, native wildlife animals, aggressive dogs, vicious animals and more than six dogs/cats.' The natural reading of that authority — and the City's standard administrative practice — is that six dogs and cats combined per household is the by-right ceiling, with anything above six requiring Animal Control Board permission. The Board may attach conditions covering enclosure design, sanitation, rabies-vaccination compliance, veterinary care, and limits on outdoor exposure. Permits are processed through the Property Maintenance Division at 815 Washington Street and fees are set by Chapter 212 (Fees) at https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/readingpa/latest/reading_pa/0-0-0-10018. Each individual dog three months or older must also be licensed annually under the Pennsylvania Dog Law (3 P.S. Section 459-201) through the Berks County Treasurer. Households operating commercial kennels (boarding, breeding) face separate state-level kennel licensing under 3 P.S. Section 459-206, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement. Multi-cat households that exceed six without a permit, or that produce odor, noise, or sanitation issues, are commonly cited under Sections 141-204 (nuisance) and 141-220 jointly.