Noise Ordinances in Reading, PA (2026)
8 verified noise ordinances for Reading, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Reading bars loud yelling, shouting and similar disturbing sounds on public streets between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., part of a citywide noise curfew enforced by police under Chapter 387.
Reading Noise Curfew: 10 PM-7 AM
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 387-104.B
Engaging in loud or raucous yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing: (1) On the public streets between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (2) At any time or place in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance.
Construction Hours
Construction, drilling and demolition equipment can't create a noise disturbance across a residential property line in Reading between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, or at any time Sundays and holidays.
Reading Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 387-104.C(1)
Operating or permitting the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction operations, drilling or demolition work: (1) Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day on weekdays and Saturdays or at any time on Sundays or legal holidays, such that the sound therefore creates a noise disturbance across a residential real property line (boundary), except for emergency w...
Barking Dogs
Owning or harboring an animal or bird that barks, howls or squawks continuously for 10 minutes, or intermittently for a half hour, to another person's disturbance is a Code violation in Reading, day or night.
Reading Barking Dog Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 387-104.F
Owning, possessing, harboring or controlling any animal or bird which howls, barks, meows, squawks, or makes other sounds continuously and/or incessantly for a period of 10 minutes or makes such noise intermittently for 1/2 hour or more to the disturbance of any person at any time of the day or night regardless of whether the animal or bird is situated in or upon private property; provided, how...
Leaf Blower Rules
Reading bars mechanically powered lawn and garden tools, including leaf blowers, from running outdoors in residential areas between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. if they disturb a neighbor.
Reading PA Leaf Blower Quiet Hours
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 387-104(D)
Domestic power tools. Operating or permitting the operation of any mechanically powered saw, drill, sander, grinder, lawn or garden tool, snowblower or similar device used outdoors in residential areas between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. so as to cause a noise disturbance across a residential property line (boundary) except in an emergency. E. Loading and unloading. Loading, unlo...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Radios, stereos, loudspeakers and other sound-amplifying devices can't create a noise disturbance across a property line at any time, or be plainly audible across one between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., under Reading's noise code.
Reading Amplified Sound Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 387-104.A(1)
Operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, drum, musical instrument, sound amplifier, automobile radio, automobile stereo or high fidelity equipment, disc or tape player, loudspeaker or other similar device ... [a]t any time in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance across a property line (boundary), or between the hours of 10:00 p.m. ...
Aircraft Noise
Reading's zoning noise-control section exempts aircraft, including helicopters, lawfully operating from the city's maximum sound-level table, leaving overflight noise to the FAA and only the separate noise chapter for other sources.
Reading Aircraft and Helicopter Noise Rules
Few RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 600-917.B(8), (9)
The maximum permissible sound level limits set forth in the above table shall not apply to any of the following noise sources: ... (8) Vehicles lawfully operating on a public street, railroads and aircraft. (9) Matters that are regulated by Chapter 387, Noise.
Decibel Limits
Reading's zoning code sets a sliding decibel ceiling for any use's noise at a receiving lot line, tightest for residential districts at night.
Reading PA Noise Decibel Limits by District
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 600-917(A)
No principal or accessory use its operations or activities shall generate a sound level exceeding the limits established in the table below, when measured at the specified locations... A. At a lot line of a residential use in a residential district ... 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ... 62 dBA ... 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. ... 55 dBA
Vehicle Noise
Reading bans excessive vehicle sound on public streets, restricts horn use and sound trucks, and separately makes it illegal to remove or disable a car's muffler under its noise ordinance.
Reading PA Vehicle Noise and Muffler Rules
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 387-105.A; § 387-104.I(1)
No person shall operate or cause to be operated a public or private motor vehicle or motorcycle, or any equipment attached to such a vehicle, on a public right-of-way at any time in such a manner that the sound level emitted by the motor vehicle or motorcycle, or any equipment that causes noise disturbances in violation of this chapter (see noise and noise disturbance definition herein). ... Th...
Looking for Berks County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Reading city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Berks County →