Fire Regulations in Reading, PA (2026)
3 verified fire regulations for Reading, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fireworks
Reading bans igniting consumer fireworks on City streets, sidewalks or property without a Fire Chief permit, and flatly prohibits all aerial fireworks, including mortar shells, mortar cakes, bottle rockets and Roman candles, regardless of distance from any structure. Selling fireworks in the City requires a State license and a City operational permit.
Reading PA Fireworks and Aerial Ban
Heavy RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 225-104
The use of all aerial fireworks to include but not be limited to aerial mortar shells, mortar cakes, bottle rockets, roman candles is strictly prohibited, regardless of the distance from the structure.
Outdoor Burning
Reading requires a Fire Code Official permit before anyone ignites, causes to be ignited, or maintains any open burning in the City, under a 2021 amendment to the adopted International Fire Code. The Office of the Fire Marshal enforces the Fire Prevention Code and administers the permit.
Reading PA Open Burning Permit Requirement
Significant RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 180-1407, Item VV (amending IFC § 301.2)
VV. Chapter 3, Section 301.2. Permits. Add the following sentence at the end of 301.2. No person shall ignite, cause to be ignited, and permit to be ignited or maintain any open burning without first securing a permit from the Fire Code Official.
Smoke Detectors
Existing 3-to-9-unit Group R-2 rental buildings in Reading must have hardwired, interconnected smoke alarms in common areas plus alarms in every sleeping area and story under a local Fire Code amendment.
Reading PA Smoke Alarm Rules for Rentals
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 180-1407 (amending IFC § 907.2.9.4, Group R-2)
907.2.9.4, Group (R-2). The following smoke alarms and/or fire detection systems shall be installed and maintained in existing R-2 occupancies... 1. EXISTING 3-9 DWELLING UNITS a. Common Area. Smoke alarms for all common areas, including hall, corridors, stairways, cellars and basements of buildings, shall be directly hard wired to the buildings power supply and shall be interconnected... clear...
Looking for Berks County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Reading city rules.
Fire Regulations in Berks County →