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

If you live in Reading or are thinking about moving there, parking rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Reading has 7 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of parking rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Driveway Rules

Driveway design, curb cuts and off-street parking in Reading are governed by Chapter 600 (Zoning) of the Codified Ordinances, particularly §600-1501 (Private roads and driveways), and by the City's right-of-way and engineering rules administered by the Department of Public Works. Off-street parking ratios for residential and non-residential uses are set in the parking provisions of Chapter 600. Construction in the right-of-way (curb cuts, aprons) requires a City permit.

Key details: Zoning Code: Reading Code Chapter 600. Driveway Standards: §600-1501 (Private roads and driveways). Curb-Cut Permit: City DPW Street Opening permit. State Construction Code: 34 Pa. Code §§401-405 (PA UCC). Zoning Contact: 850 Washington St., Rm 25 - 610-655-6326.

Constructing a curb cut or driveway apron without a Street Opening / Right-of-Way permit is enforceable by the City Department of Public Works, which can require restoration at the owner's expense. Off-street-parking and surface violations under Chapter 600 are enforced by the Reading Zoning Office, which can issue notices of violation and refer cases to the District Justice; general Code violations in PA third-class cities are typically punishable by fines up to $1,000 per violation plus costs.

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions

Commercial vehicles in Reading are defined as motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 10,000 pounds or more used for transporting goods, wares or merchandise. Their parking and storage are regulated by Chapter 576 (Vehicles and Traffic) and Chapter 564 (Property Maintenance / Nuisances) of the Reading Codified Ordinances, with §564-105 imposing a permit and fee framework for parking trucks, trailers and mobile homes within the City. Loading-zone use is governed by §576-411.

Key details: Commercial Vehicle: GVW 10,000 lb+ (Reading Code definition). Permit Required: §564-105 (trucks, trailers, mobile homes). Loading Zones: §576-411 (Ch. 576 Vehicles and Traffic). Street Storage: 72-hour limit (§576-407). State Law: 75 Pa.C.S. (PA Vehicle Code) + Title 67 PA Code.

Parking a commercial vehicle without the required §564-105 permit, or in a loading zone in violation of §576-411, is enforceable through the City's parking-fine schedule with immediate towing available under §576-415 and §576-803 (75 Pa.C.S. §3353.3.b). Repeat or aggravated violations are enforceable as Code offenses through the District Justice with fines typically up to $1,000 per violation plus costs in PA third-class cities.

Compared to other cities, Reading takes a harder line on commercial vehicle restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Abandoned Vehicles

Abandoned and inoperable vehicles in Reading are handled under Chapter 576 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the Codified Ordinances, particularly §576-408 (Parking of Inoperable or Illegally Registered Vehicles) and §576-803 (Authority to Remove and Impound Unattended Vehicles on Private Property... as per 75 Pa.C.S. §3353.3.b), together with the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code abandoned-vehicle provisions at 75 Pa.C.S. §7311 et seq. Unclaimed impounded vehicles are disposed of under §576-810.

Key details: State Law: 75 Pa.C.S. §7311+ (Abandoned Vehicles). Inoperable on Streets: §576-408 (Reading Code). Private Property Tow: §576-803 (75 Pa.C.S. §3353.3.b). Disposition: §576-810 (Unclaimed Vehicles). On-Lot Junk Vehicles: §564-104 + Chapter 600 Zoning.

Parking an inoperable or unregistered vehicle on a City street violates §576-408 and is subject to ticket and immediate tow under §576-415. Towing and storage fees are at the owner's expense; unclaimed vehicles are disposed of under §576-810 and the state abandoned-vehicle title process at 75 Pa.C.S. §7311 et seq. Storing junked or inoperable vehicles on residential property in violation of Chapter 600 / Chapter 564 is enforceable by the Reading Zoning Office and Codes office with notices of violation and fines, generally up to $1,000 per violation plus costs through the District Justice.

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

Overnight Parking

Reading does not impose a citywide overnight parking ban on passenger vehicles, but on-street overnight parking is limited by the 72-hour continuous-parking rule in §576-407 of the Reading Code (Storage of Vehicles on Streets) and by signed local restrictions, residential permit zones and snow-emergency rules. Recreational vehicles, trailers and commercial trucks face additional restrictions under §564-105 and the Chapter 576 storage provisions.

Key details: Citywide Overnight Ban: None for passenger vehicles. 72-Hour Storage Cap: §576-407 (Reading Code). Permit Zones: Selected residential blocks (RPA). Snow Emergencies: Snow Emergency Routes - Ch. 576. Oversize Vehicles: §564-105 permit framework.

Overnight violations of signed local restrictions, residential permit zones, or the 72-hour storage rule are payable parking tickets under the City's fine schedule and the vehicle may be towed under §576-415 and §576-803. Failure to remove a vehicle from a posted Snow Emergency Route during an activation is subject to ticket and tow at the owner's expense. Repeat or aggravated violations of the underlying PA Vehicle Code can carry summary-offense penalties under 75 Pa.C.S.

EV Charging

Pennsylvania does not have a statewide EV-ready building mandate or model municipal EV ordinance comparable to New Jersey's, so EV charging in Reading is governed primarily by the locally adopted zoning provisions of Chapter 600 of the Reading Codified Ordinances and the electrical permit requirements of the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (34 Pa. Code §§401-405, adopting the NEC). Single-family residential EVSE is generally treated as a permitted accessory use requiring only an electrical permit.

Key details: State EV Mandate: None - PA uses voluntary model ordinances. Local Code: Reading Code Chapter 600 (Zoning). Construction Code: PA UCC - 34 Pa. Code §§401-405 (NEC). Home EVSE: Electrical permit + licensed electrician. Statewide Toolkit: PennDOT EV Model Ordinance Toolkit.

Installing EVSE without the required electrical permit violates the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (34 Pa. Code §§401-405) and is enforceable by the City Codes office with stop-work orders, fines under the local Code and refusal to issue a Certificate of Occupancy or final inspection until the work is properly permitted and inspected. Zoning issues for commercial installations (parking layout, signage, screening) are enforceable by the Reading Zoning Office under Chapter 600.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Reading gives residents more flexibility on ev charging.

RV & Boat Parking

Reading regulates parking and storage of recreational vehicles, trailers, mobile homes and similar oversize vehicles under Chapter 564 (Property Maintenance / Nuisances) and Chapter 576 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Reading. §564-105 (Parking trucks, trailers and mobile homes; permit fee; penalties) imposes a permit and fee framework for parking trucks, trailers and mobile homes within the City, and §576-407 prohibits storing any vehicle on a public street for more than 72 continuous hours.

Key details: Code Chapters: Ch. 564 (Nuisances) + Ch. 576 (Vehicles). Street Storage Limit: 72 hours continuous (§576-407). Truck/Trailer Permit: §564-105 (permit + fee required). Tow Authority: §576-803 - 75 Pa.C.S. §3353.3.b. Yard Storage: Ch. 600 Zoning - district-by-district.

Violations of §576-407 (storage on streets) carry parking-fine penalties under the City's parking schedule and the vehicle is subject to immediate towing under §576-415 and §576-803, with the owner liable for tow and storage charges. Violations of §564-105 carry the permit-fee and penalty schedule listed in that section. General Code violations are enforceable under the Codified Ordinances' general penalty framework (typically up to $1,000 plus costs per violation for non-traffic ordinance offenses in PA third-class cities) and each day of continuing violation may be charged separately.

Compared to other cities, Reading takes a harder line on rv & boat parking. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Street Parking Limits

On-street parking in Reading is governed by Chapter 576 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the Codified Ordinances and the underlying Pennsylvania Vehicle Code (75 Pa.C.S.), notably §3353 (Restrictions on parking). The Reading Parking Authority manages metered parking, residential permit programs and many on-street operations within the City. §576-403 (Parking Prohibited in Specific Areas) lists locations where parking is barred, and §576-411 governs loading and timed zones.

Key details: State Statute: 75 Pa.C.S. §3353 (Restrictions on Parking). Local Code: Reading Code Chapter 576. Prohibited Areas: §576-403. Hydrant Setback: 15 ft (75 Pa.C.S. §3353). Stop-Sign/Signal Setback: 30 ft (75 Pa.C.S. §3353).

Parking-ticket fines are set by the City's parking-fine schedule (adjusted by ordinance). Vehicles in violation of §576-415 conditions (blocking a hydrant, crosswalk, or driveway; expired registration; obstruction of traffic; designated tow-away zones) are subject to immediate towing at the owner's expense. Repeat or aggravated violations under the underlying §3353 state statute carry summary-offense penalties under the PA Vehicle Code.

The Bottom Line

Reading is tougher than many cities when it comes to parking rules. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 3 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.

Keep in mind that Reading can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.