Reading's Public Conduct: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles public conduct a little differently. In Reading, Pennsylvania, there are 7 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Public Marijuana Use

Reading makes smoking or consuming any amount of marijuana or hashish in public a civil offense carrying a $150 fine per violation. City Code Chapter 360, adopted in 2025, treats possession of up to 30 grams the same way, with escalating civil fines instead of arrest or a criminal record.

Key details: Governing law: Reading Codified Ordinances Chapter 360. Public-use fine: $150 civil fine per offense. Possession threshold: 30g marijuana or 8g hashish. First possession fine: $50 plus Marijuana Diversion Program. Enforcement: Civil citation only, no arrest or record.

A public-use citation carries a $150 civil fine regardless of whether it is a first or later offense. Possession citations escalate separately: $50 for a first offense (plus the diversion program), $100 for a second, and $150 for a third or subsequent offense. None of these citations create a criminal record, and Reading Police Department issues them as civil citations rather than criminal charges.

This is one of the stricter rules in Reading's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Public Alcohol Use

Reading bars drinking alcohol in public places unless the law permits it, and bars drinking on private property without the owner's consent. City Code Chapter 127, Part 2 covers streets, sidewalks, parks and playgrounds, and violators face fines up to $1,000 plus court costs.

Key details: Governing chapter: City Code Ch. 127, Part 2. Adopted: 8-30-1989, Ord. No. 89-1989. Last amended: 5-29-2007, Ord. No. 37-2007. Max fine: $1,000 plus costs. Max jail (default): 30 days.

Section 127-203, as amended May 29, 2001 by Ord. No. 14-2001, makes any violation of Part 2 punishable by "a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days." The section applies to "any person, firm or corporation," so a business that allows the conduct on property it controls can be cited alongside the individual drinker.

Loud Party Ordinance

Reading's disruptive-conduct ordinance targets loud, untimely rental-unit behavior: after two documented incidents in a 12-month period, the property owner must begin eviction within 10 working days or risk losing the unit's housing permit.

Key details: Trigger: 2 incidents in 12 months. Owner deadline: 10 working days to act. Consequence: Housing permit suspension/revocation. Records retained: 5 years. Adopted: April 13, 2026, Ord. 25-2026.

Owner inaction after a second incident starts housing-permit suspension/revocation proceedings; the permit isn't reinstated until the reinstatement fee is paid and the disruptive occupant is evicted (or a pending appeal succeeds).

This is one of the stricter rules in Reading's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Jaywalking

In Reading's business district, pedestrians must cross the roadway only in a crosswalk; stepping off the curb mid-block elsewhere is a violation under § 576-1104(A)(1). Ignoring that rule, or the 'Walk'/'Don't Walk' and traffic-signal rules in the same Part, is a summary offense carrying a flat $5 fine plus court costs under § 576-1106.

Key details: Fine: $5 plus court costs. Offense class: Summary offense. Where it applies: Business district roadways citywide. Governing section: § 576-1104(A)(1). Signal rule: Obey Walk/Don't Walk, §§ 576-1101-1102.

A pedestrian who crosses outside a crosswalk in Reading's business district commits a summary offense under § 576-1106, punishable by a $5 fine plus court costs on conviction. The same $5-plus-costs penalty applies to disobeying a 'Walk'/'Don't Walk' or traffic-control signal under §§ 576-1101, 576-1102 and 576-1104.

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

Loitering Rules

Reading bans loitering that obstructs streets, sidewalks, bridges or public buildings by hindering the free passage of pedestrians or vehicles, enforceable citywide by police.

Key details: Adopted: Ord. 48-2002, amended 2021. Trigger: obstructing passage of people/vehicles. Diversion program: available for 1st-2nd offense. Enforced by: Reading Police Department.

First offense: fine up to $25 or diversion program; second offense up to $50; third or later offense up to $100, per § 353-106.

Skateboarding Rules

Reading bans roller-skating, skateboarding and riding a coaster or other toy vehicle on any city street, except to cross the roadway, and on any sidewalk in a business district. Violators face a $5 fine per offense under the City's Vehicles and Traffic Code.

Key details: Governing law: Reading Codified Ordinances § 576-1003. Banned on: Streets (except crossing), business-district sidewalks. Fine: $5 and costs per violation. Park rule: Pathways only; must yield to pedestrians. Pedestrian exception: Pulling a coaster or sled is allowed.

A violation of Section 576-1003, covering unlawful skateboarding, roller-skating or sledding, is punishable on conviction by a fine of $5 and costs. The penalty applies per violation, and the same section separately fines unlawful sledding on a sidewalk or unauthorized roadway at the same $5 rate.

Aggressive Panhandling

Reading bans panhandling within 25 feet of outdoor cafes, 20 feet of ATMs and public toilets, on private property without consent, and in an aggressively defined manner anywhere in the city. Reading Police Department enforces the ban under City Code Chapter 353, with escalating fines and an optional diversion program instead of a criminal record.

Key details: Governing law: Reading Codified Ordinances Chapter 353. Cafe buffer: 25 feet from outdoor or sidewalk cafes. ATM/toilet buffer: 20 feet from ATMs, banks, toilets. First-offense fine: Up to $25 or diversion program. Third-offense fine: Up to $100, diversion discretionary.

Violators can enter a City diversion program combining community service and counseling instead of a fine, per Section 353-106. A first offense carries a fine up to $25 or up to 5 hours community service and 2 hours counseling; a second offense up to $50 or 10 hours community service and 4 hours counseling; a third or subsequent offense carries a fine up to $100, and diversion is available only if the court and the arresting officer agree.

This is one of the stricter rules in Reading's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Reading is tougher than many cities when it comes to public conduct. 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.