How Reading Handles Environmental Rules: A Practical Guide
Reading maintains 123 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with environmental rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Reading falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
Reading limits parked vehicle idling to 15 minutes per hour within 150 feet of a residence when it creates a noise disturbance across the property line, enforced by police under the City's noise ordinance.
Key details: Idling limit: 15 minutes per hour. Distance trigger: Within 150 feet of residence. Applies to: Vehicle and auxiliary equipment. Penalty: $100-$1,000 fine, up to 30 days. Enforced by: Reading Police Department.
Violating the idling limit carries a fine of $100 to $1,000 plus costs, with up to 30 days' imprisonment if unpaid; each day of continued violation is a separate offense.
Erosion Control
Reading requires an approved erosion and sediment control plan before any regulated earth disturbance can start, tying local project approval to DEP and Conservation District sign-off.
Key details: Governs: Regulated earth disturbance activities. Trigger: 5,000+ sq ft disturbance (DEP threshold). Requires: Conservation District E&S plan approval. On-site: Plan and permit copy kept at project site.
Starting regulated earth disturbance without the required Conservation District approval or NPDES coverage violates § 505-123; the city's Building/Trades officials and law enforcement are authorized to enforce this Part and may pursue summary criminal proceedings for violations.
Stormwater Management
Reading regulates stormwater under its Watershed Stormwater Management Ordinance, Chapter 505, which applies to development inside the Schuylkill River and Tulpehocken Creek watersheds. Land development, subdivisions, new impervious surfaces like driveways and parking lots, and other regulated activities need a City-approved drainage plan. Violators face a fine of up to $1,000 a day and up to 90 days in jail.
Key details: Governing chapter: Ch. 505, Watershed Stormwater Management Ordinance. Coverage area: Schuylkill River & Tulpehocken Creek watersheds. Triggers review: Land development, subdivision, new impervious surface. Fine range: $100-$1,000 per violation, per day. Jail exposure: Up to 90 days.
Under §505-195, violating any provision of the stormwater ordinance carries a fine of $100 to $1,000 for each violation plus costs, or up to 90 days in jail, or both, and every day the violation continues is a separate, cumulative offense. The City Solicitor can also seek an injunction, mandamus or other court order to force compliance, and altering or removing a required control structure without following the approved drainage plan is separately unlawful under §505-197B.
Flood Elevation Requirements
Reading requires new construction and substantial improvements in the Zone AE Without Floodway Subdistrict to elevate the lowest floor at least 1.5 feet above the Base Flood Elevation, a stricter local freeboard standard.
Key details: Freeboard requirement: 1.5 feet above Base Flood Elevation. Applies to: Zone AE Without Floodway Subdistrict. Permit required: Floodplain zoning permit before construction. Enforcement: Misdemeanor charge plus fine. Legal basis: Pennsylvania Floodplain Management Act of 1978.
Noncompliance is a misdemeanor with a fine under § 600-206, plus the property can be declared a public nuisance and abated by City Council until corrected.
Flood Zones
Any construction or development anywhere in Reading needs a floodplain zoning permit from the Floodplain Administrator before work starts, under § 600-1803(A) of the Zoning Code's Floodplain Overlay Zone Part. The only carve-out is minor repairs to existing buildings or structures. Reading adopted the Part under the state's 1978 Floodplain Management Act to promote safety and cut flood-related costs.
Key details: Permit required for: Any construction/development citywide. Exemption: Minor repairs to existing structures. Administering official: Floodplain Administrator (Zoning Admin.). State authority: PA Floodplain Management Act, 1978. Violation classification: Misdemeanor, fine under § 600-206.
Failing to obtain a floodplain zoning permit, or ignoring a compliance notice from the Floodplain Administrator, is a misdemeanor under § 600-1815(B), punishable by a fine under § 600-206. The Administrator must first serve written notice describing the violation and allowing up to 30 days to correct it under § 600-1815(A); unpermitted or noncompliant development can also be declared a public nuisance by City Council and abated as such.
Compared to other cities, Reading takes a harder line on flood zones. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
Boat Dock Permits
Reading's Zoning Ordinance lists boat docks, wharves and marinas as an allowed use only inside the Riverfront Redevelopment Overlay Zone, on tracts over 10 acres with approved planned-development plans, kept 50 feet back from the Schuylkill River's bank.
Key details: Allowed only in: RR Overlay Zone. Min. tract size: 10+ acres. Riverfront setback: 50 feet. Approval needed: final PRD plan. Citation: § 600-815.
Building a dock, wharf or marina outside the RR Overlay Zone, without final PRD approval, or inside the 50-foot riverbank setback is a zoning violation that can block a certificate of occupancy and draw City enforcement.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Reading actively enforces its boat dock permits requirements.
The Bottom Line
Reading is tougher than many cities when it comes to environmental rules. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Reading, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.
This guide is based on Reading's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.