10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Berks County, Pennsylvania.
Verified from official government sources
Berks County sets no countywide quiet-hours rule; your municipality does. In Reading, loud yelling, shouting or amplified sound that is plainly audible across a property line is prohibited between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Reading Code §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.
The county sets no countywide construction-hours limit — your municipality does. Reading bars construction, drilling and demolition noise across a residential property line from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. weekdays and Saturdays, and at any time on Sundays or legal holidays.
Reading Code §387-104.C(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 work.
The county sets no countywide barking rule; municipalities do. Reading treats a dog that barks continuously for 10 minutes, or intermittently for a half hour or more, to a person’s disturbance as a prohibited noise disturbance at any time of day or night.
Reading Code §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.
No countywide leaf-blower rule exists; municipalities set the limits. Reading bars mechanically powered saws, drills, lawn and garden tools, snowblowers and similar outdoor devices in residential areas between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. when they disturb across a property line.
Reading Code §387-104.D
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.
Amplified-sound limits are municipal, not countywide. Reading prohibits any radio, loudspeaker or similar device that causes a noise disturbance across a property line at any time, or is plainly audible across a boundary between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Reading Code §387-104.A(1)
At 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. and 7:00 a.m. so as to be plainly audible across a property line (boundary); or which is audible on a public street for a distance of 50 feet from the place or origin of such sound or noise.
Aircraft noise is regulated by the FAA, not by Berks County or Reading. Neither the county nor the city can set overflight noise limits or curfews; complaints go to the FAA or Reading Regional Airport (Carl A. Spaatz Field).
Berks County sets no industrial-noise standard. Factory and commercial noise is controlled through municipal zoning under the PA Municipalities Planning Code and each town’s noise ordinance, with disorderly conduct as a state backstop.
Reading Code §387-104.E
Loading, unloading, opening, closing or other handling of boxes, crates, containers, building materials, garbage cans, or similar objects between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance across a residential property line (boundary).
Berks County and Pennsylvania set no general numeric decibel cap for everyday noise. Reading regulates noise by a plainly-audible / property-line disturbance test rather than a dBA number, except vehicles, which follow state Title 67 Chapter 157 sound levels.
Reading Code §387-102 (Noise Disturbance)
NOISE DISTURBANCE -- Any sound which: ... B. Annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities. ... D. Is audible on a public street for a distance of 50 feet from the place or origin of such sound or noise.
Outdoor-event noise is municipal, not countywide. Reading allows band concerts, block parties and church carnivals in public or private outdoor spaces only if they do not run between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and all required permits are obtained.
Reading Code §387-107.C
Band concerts, block parties, church carnivals or other performances or similar activities publicly or privately sponsored and presented in any public or private space outdoors provided that such activities do not occur between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and all necessary permits as defined by City ordinances have been procured.
Vehicle noise is governed by state motor-vehicle sound levels, applied locally. Reading forbids operating a vehicle or motorcycle on a public right-of-way that exceeds the sound levels set in Pennsylvania Code Title 67, Chapter 157, and bans removing mufflers.
Reading Code §387-105.A
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 attached to such a vehicle exceeds the level set forth in Pennsylvania Code, Title 67, Chapter 157, Established Sound L...
1 cities in Berks County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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