How Reading Handles Property Maintenance: A Practical Guide

Reading maintains 123 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with property maintenance. 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.

Property Blight

Reading's property maintenance code defines blighted property to include public nuisances, two-year tax-delinquent vacant lots, and unfit dwellings, letting the City record a formal Declaration of Blight against the deed.

Key details: Governing code: IPMC § 108.1.3.1. Recorded with: Berks County Recorder of Deeds. Tax delinquency threshold: 2 years unpaid. Fine range: $75 to $1,000.

Violating the underlying property maintenance code is a summary offense: $75-$500 for the first two uncorrected violations and $150-$1,000 for the third and later violations on the same property, plus a $50 Neighborhood Mitigation Penalty per conviction and up to 90 days in jail for nonpayment.

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

Vacant Lot Maintenance

Reading requires vacant land and structures to be kept clean, safe, secure and sanitary so they don't cause blight: the same code that limits weeds to six inches on every lot.

Key details: Standard: Clean, safe, secure, sanitary condition. Purpose: Prevent blight and health hazards. Self-help: City may cut weeds, bill owner. Code: Ch. 180, Part 13, § 301.3.

Noncompliance triggers a notice of violation and possible compliance order (§§ 106.4, 107.5); if weeds aren't cut, the City may abate them itself and lien the property for its costs (§ 302.4).

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing

Reading requires sidewalks cleared of snow and ice within 2 hours downtown or 4 hours citywide after snowfall stops, backed by escalating $25 to $250 fines.

Key details: Downtown deadline: 2 hours after snow stops. Citywide deadline: 4 hours after snow stops. First-offense fine: $25 to $50. Third+ offense fine: $100 to $250. Enforced by: Property Maintenance Division, police.

First offense fines run $25 to $50, second $50 to $100, and third-plus $100 to $250 within a 12-month period, plus the City's abatement costs if it clears the sidewalk itself.

The Bottom Line

Reading's property maintenance rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Reading is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Reading's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.