Business Licensing & Operations in Reading, PA (2026)
2 verified business licensing & operations rules for Reading, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tobacco Retail License
Reading tobacco retailers are licensed primarily at the state level. Pennsylvania Act 112 of 2020 (codified at 18 Pa.C.S. §6305) raised the minimum sales age to 21 for all tobacco products including e-cigarettes and vapes, and the PA Department of Revenue issues the Cigarette Dealer License. Reading retailers must also hold a city Business Privilege License from the Reading City Treasurer, but the city has not enacted a separate municipal tobacco license.
Reading Tobacco Retail Licensing
Heavy RestrictionsSecondhand Dealers
Reading secondhand dealers and pawnbrokers are regulated primarily under Pennsylvania state law - the Pawnbrokers License Act (63 P.S. §281-1 et seq.) and the Precious Metals Sales Act (73 P.S. §1932 et seq.) - and must hold a Reading Business Privilege License. PA requires precious-metals dealers to register with the Pennsylvania State Police, keep transaction records for 4 years, and hold purchased items for at least 7 days.
Reading Secondhand Dealers and Precious-Metals
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Berks County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Reading city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Berks County →