Reading, PA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Application deadline
- 30 days before settlement
- Rush fee trigger
- under 15 days notice
- Standards checked
- 15 items, § 431-204.E
- Compliance letter validity
- 12 months
Summary
Reading requires a certificate-of-transfer inspection before any residential, nonresidential or mixed-use property changes hands, with the seller applying at least 30 days ahead and the city checking 15 specific safety items.
No property within the City of Reading shall be transferred until the City has received evidence that a property transfer inspection has been completed; a certificate of transfer has been issued by the City and: (1) The City has issued a property transfer compliance letter, or (2) An agreement has been executed between the buyer and the seller which is determined by the City to provide reasonable assurance that any deficiencies or violations will be cured, corrected or abated within 12 months from the date of settlement.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-8: Current through August 10, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Code § 431-203, no property in Reading may be sold or transferred until the city has issued a certificate of transfer following a property transfer inspection, or the buyer and seller sign an agreement to cure any deficiencies within 12 months. Sellers apply to the Property Maintenance Division at least 30 days before settlement (§ 431-204); applications filed within 15 days of settlement trigger a rush fee. The inspection checks 15 items, smoke detectors in every bedroom and common area, adequate egress, minimum 60-100 amp electrical service, GFCI outlets, address numbers at least three inches tall, and more (§ 431-204.E), and results in either a compliance letter or a notice of violation with a corrective timeline.
Violations & Fines
Transferring property without the required certificate of transfer or inspection can trigger fines and additional fees under the City of Reading Fee Schedule, plus mandatory corrective work and re-inspection before resale (§ 431-215).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the property transfer inspection replace a full property maintenance inspection?
What happens if the inspection finds problems?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Reading
Compare Reading to another location·View the Pennsylvania building safety overview
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