Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Reading, PA (2026)
3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Reading, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sidewalk Repair
Reading places the duty to build, pave and repair sidewalks squarely on the abutting property owner, who must fix hazards or the City will do it and bill them.
Reading PA Sidewalk Repair Responsibility
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 508-508
Owners of property abutting on any public street shall, at their own expense, construct, pave, curb, repave and recurb the sidewalks on such property. Owners of property abutting on any public street shall, at their own expense, keep sidewalks along such property in proper good repair in accordance with City standards and maintained free from hazardous conditions.
Obstruction Rules
Reading's code bars placing or erecting any obstruction on a sidewalk, alley, street, bridge or public passageway anywhere in the city. Temporary barriers or warning signs put up to protect the public are exempt. A conviction under Chapter 536 carries a fine of up to $1,000 plus costs, with jail time of up to 30 days if the fine goes unpaid, and each day a blockage remains is a separate offense.
Reading PA Sidewalk Obstruction Ban
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 536-104; § 536-105
§ 536-104. Obstructing a passageway. No person shall place or erect upon any sidewalk, alley, street, bridge or public passageway in any building any obstruction of any type; provided, that this chapter shall not be held to restrict the placing of temporary barriers or warning signs for the purpose of safeguarding the public. § 536-105. Violations and penalties. Any person or persons who shall ...
Encroachment Permits
Before setting curb, opening a sidewalk, or building a vault under one, Reading requires a permit from the Director of Public Works for any private encroachment into the public right-of-way.
Reading PA Curb and Sidewalk Work Permit
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 508-501
No person, firm or corporation shall set any curbing, set any building, open any sidewalk, lay new sidewalk or relay old sidewalk or construct any vault under a sidewalk, until a permit has been obtained from the Director of the Department of Public Works or his/her designee. The Director or his/her designee is authorized and directed to establish such rules and regulations, as s/he deems neces...
Looking for Berks County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Reading city rules.
Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Berks County →