Environmental Rules in Reading, PA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

Reading maintains 100 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 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.

Stormwater Management

Reading regulates stormwater under Code Chapter 505 (Stormwater Management), most recently amended by Ord. 28-2021 (4-12-2021). The ordinance implements Pennsylvania's Storm Water Management Act (Act 167 of 1978, 32 P.S. §§ 680.1 - 680.17) and the NPDES MS4 framework at 25 Pa. Code Ch. 92a. New development must submit a drainage plan, prioritize infiltration-based BMPs, and protect stream buffers along perennial and intermittent waterways in the Schuylkill River and Tulpehocken Creek watersheds.

Key details: Code Chapter: Reading Code Ch. 505 (Stormwater Management). Most Recent Amendment: Ord. 28-2021 (4-12-2021). State Authority: Storm Water Management Act, 32 P.S. §§ 680.1 - 680.17 (Act 167). MS4 Permit: 25 Pa. Code Ch. 92a (NPDES Phase II). Watersheds: Schuylkill River + Tulpehocken Creek.

Chapter 505, § 505-193 et seq. authorizes civil penalties, stop-work orders, and revocation of permits. Under Pennsylvania's Second Class A City Code and 53 P.S. § 37403, municipal stormwater violations can carry fines up to $1,000 per day plus injunctive relief. Discharges of pollutants to the MS4 (oil, paint, sediment, pool water with chlorine) can also trigger PA DEP enforcement under the Clean Streams Law (35 P.S. § 691.601) and federal Clean Water Act penalties.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Reading actively enforces its stormwater management requirements.

Flood Zones

Reading regulates development in FEMA-mapped flood hazard areas through the Floodplain Overlay Zone in Zoning Code Article XVIII (§§ 600-1801 to 600-1830). The City has adopted FEMA's Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Maps dated July 3, 2012 (and subsequent revisions) per § 600-1817. Reading carries significant flood risk along the Schuylkill River and Tulpehocken Creek, and any construction, fill, or substantial improvement in a Special Flood Hazard Area requires a floodplain zoning permit from the Floodplain Administrator under § 600-1809.

Key details: Code Article: Reading Zoning Code Art. XVIII (§§ 600-1801 to 600-1830). FIRM Effective Date: July 3, 2012 (and subsequent revisions). Permit Required: Floodplain zoning permit before any construction in SFHA. Freeboard: Lowest floor >= BFE + 1.5 ft (per § 600-1822). Major Flood Sources: Schuylkill River, Tulpehocken Creek.

Section 600-1813 authorizes the Floodplain Administrator to post placards on non-compliant structures and pursue injunctive relief. Building or substantially improving in the overlay without a permit can trigger fines under Article XXII of the Zoning Code (up to $500 per offense per day under 53 P.S. § 37403), revocation of building permits, and - critically - loss of flood insurance coverage and ineligibility for FEMA disaster assistance. Persistent municipal non-enforcement can result in NFIP probation or suspension, which would strip every property owner in Reading of subsidized flood insurance.

Compared to other cities, Reading takes a harder line on flood zones. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Reading is tougher than many cities when it comes to environmental rules. Out of the 2 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.