Accessory Structures in Reading, PA (2026)
5 verified accessory structures rules for Reading, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Reading is a third-class city in Berks County (population approximately 95,000) governed by the Reading Zoning Ordinance (a comprehensive 2014 rewrite, separate from the Reading City Code on eCode360 at https://ecode360.com/RE1294). Pennsylvania has no statewide accessory dwelling unit preemption statute, so ADU permissibility, density, owner-occupancy requirements, and design standards in Reading are determined entirely by the Reading Zoning Ordinance under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (53 P.S. §10101 et seq.). Property owners must consult the Zoning Ordinance and Reading Department of Community Development for whether ADUs (variously called accessory apartments, in-law suites, or second dwelling units) are permitted by right, by special exception, or by conditional use in the applicable residential district.
Reading PA ADU Rules (Reading Zoning Ordinance; PA MPC 53 P.S. §10101 et seq.; No State ADU Preemption)
Some RestrictionsADU Permits
An accessory dwelling unit in Reading requires permits from two municipal offices: a zoning permit from the Reading Department of Community Development (confirming the ADU is permitted in the district under the Reading Zoning Ordinance, either by right or by special exception/variance through the Reading Zoning Hearing Board) and a building permit from the Reading Building Code Official under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code at 34 Pa Code §401.7 for the construction itself. Pennsylvania has no statewide ADU preemption like California's SB 9 or Oregon's HB 2001, so timelines, fees, and approval criteria are set by Reading and the PA UCC.
Reading PA ADU Permits (Reading Dept. of Community Development; PA UCC 34 Pa Code 401.7; Zoning + Building Both Required)
Some RestrictionsADU Impact Fees
Pennsylvania municipalities have limited statutory authority to impose impact fees on new development. Under the Municipalities Planning Code Article V-A (53 P.S. §§10502-A through 10503-A), the only authorized impact fee is a transportation impact fee, and even that requires a multi-year traffic study, an adopted impact fee ordinance, and impact-fee districts. Reading has not adopted a transportation impact fee ordinance under Article V-A as of mid-2024. Other typical "impact" charges (water/sewer connection fees, school district contributions, recreation fees) operate under separate authorities. ADU applicants in Reading generally face only standard zoning and building permit fees, water/sewer tap-in charges, and any school district enrollment-related charges if dwelling-unit count increases.
Reading PA ADU Impact Fees (PA MPC 53 P.S. §10502-A Transportation Impact Fee Authority; Limited Use)
Few RestrictionsShed Rules
Sheds and similar accessory structures in Reading are regulated through two layers: (1) the Reading Zoning Ordinance, which sets dimensional standards (size, height, setbacks, lot coverage, location relative to the principal dwelling) by district; and (2) the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code at 34 Pa Code §403.1, which exempts non-residential utility sheds under 1,000 square feet from UCC permitting but does not exempt them from local zoning compliance. Reading property owners typically need a zoning permit from the Department of Community Development even when no building permit is required, especially in the city's dense rowhouse neighborhoods where rear-yard space is constrained.
Reading PA Shed Rules (Reading Zoning Ordinance; PA UCC Exemption for Sheds <1,000 sq ft, 34 Pa Code 403.1)
Some RestrictionsGarage Conversions
Converting a Reading garage into habitable space (a bedroom, in-law suite, home office, or ADU) requires both (1) zoning approval under the Reading Zoning Ordinance for the change of use (because the converted space is no longer accessory parking and may count toward floor area or trigger an ADU classification) and (2) a building permit under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code at 34 Pa Code §401.7. Conversions must meet the 2018 International Residential Code for habitable spaces (egress windows under IRC R310, ceiling height under IRC R305, ventilation, smoke and CO alarms under IRC R314/R315), and Reading's local off-street parking minimums in the Zoning Ordinance must still be satisfied.
Reading PA Garage Conversions (Reading Zoning Ordinance Change-of-Use; PA UCC Permit Required)
Some RestrictionsLooking for Berks County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Reading city rules.
Accessory Structures in Berks County →