Environmental Rules in Reading, PA (2026)
6 verified environmental rules for Reading, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Reading regulates stormwater under its Watershed Stormwater Management Ordinance, Chapter 505, which applies to development inside the Schuylkill River and Tulpehocken Creek watersheds. Land development, subdivisions, new impervious surfaces like driveways and parking lots, and other regulated activities need a City-approved drainage plan. Violators face a fine of up to $1,000 a day and up to 90 days in jail.
Reading PA Stormwater Management Rules
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 505-105A, D(1)-(4)
§ 505-105. Applicability; regulated activities. A. This Part shall apply to those areas of the City of Reading within the Schuylkill River and Tulpehocken Creek Watersheds, as delineated in Appendix D which is hereby adopted as part of this Part. ... D. The following activities are defined as "regulated activities" and shall be regulated by this Part: (1) Land development. (2) Subdivisions. (3)...
Erosion Control
Reading requires an approved erosion and sediment control plan before any regulated earth disturbance can start, tying local project approval to DEP and Conservation District sign-off.
Reading Erosion & Sediment Control
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 505-123
No regulated earth disturbance activities within the municipality shall commence until the municipality receives or the municipality receives notice of an approval from the Conservation District of an erosion and sediment control plan for construction activities. B. DEP has regulations that require an erosion and sediment control plan for any earth disturbance activity of 5,000 square feet...
Flood Zones
Any construction or development anywhere in Reading needs a floodplain zoning permit from the Floodplain Administrator before work starts, under § 600-1803(A) of the Zoning Code's Floodplain Overlay Zone Part. The only carve-out is minor repairs to existing buildings or structures. Reading adopted the Part under the state's 1978 Floodplain Management Act to promote safety and cut flood-related costs.
Reading PA Floodplain Development Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 600-1803
A. It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, business or corporation to undertake, or cause to be undertaken, any construction or development anywhere within the City of Reading unless a floodplain zoning permit has been obtained from the Floodplain Administrator. B. A Floodplain Zoning Permit shall not be required for minor repairs to existing buildings or structures.
Boat Dock Permits
Reading's Zoning Ordinance lists boat docks, wharves and marinas as an allowed use only inside the Riverfront Redevelopment Overlay Zone, on tracts over 10 acres with approved planned-development plans, kept 50 feet back from the Schuylkill River's bank.
Reading PA Boat Dock Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 600-815(C)(37), (D)(1)(l)
(37) Boat dock, wharf or marina. ... (l) Riverfront building setback: minimum of 50 feet from the top of the bank of the Schuylkill River or a structural wall or improved water's edge along the Schuylkill River, based upon conditions that will exist after the development is completed, based upon the approved final PRD plan. Pedestrian access may be placed within this setback.
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
Reading limits parked vehicle idling to 15 minutes per hour within 150 feet of a residence when it creates a noise disturbance across the property line, enforced by police under the City's noise ordinance.
Reading PA Vehicle Idling Time Limit
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 387-105.B
No person shall operate or permit the operation of any motor vehicle or any auxiliary equipment attached to such a vehicle for a period longer than 15 minutes in any hour while the vehicle is stationary, for reasons other than traffic congestion, anywhere within 150 feet of any residence in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance across a residential property line (boundary). C. Unne...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Reading requires new construction and substantial improvements in the Zone AE Without Floodway Subdistrict to elevate the lowest floor at least 1.5 feet above the Base Flood Elevation, a stricter local freeboard standard.
Reading PA Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 600-1823
Within the Zone AE Without Floodway Subdistrict, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to at least 1 1/2 feet above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). (2) Within the Zone A Subdistrict, where there are no Base Flood Elevations specified on the FIRM, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floo...
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