Construction hours in Reading, PA β sometimes called construction noise rules or contractor work-hour ordinances β set when contractors can run power tools, hammers, and heavy equipment.
Reading restricts construction and demolition noise to 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. No construction operations that cause a noise disturbance across a residential property line are permitted on Sundays or legal holidays at any hour. Emergency work is exempt. The rule is at Β§ 387-104(C) of the Codified Ordinances.
Section 387-104(C) of Reading's noise ordinance specifically prohibits 'operating or permitting the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction operations, drilling or demolition work' between 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,' when the sound creates a noise disturbance across a residential real property line. 'Construction operation' is defined in Β§ 387-102 as the erection, repair, renovation, demolition, or removal of any building or structure, plus excavation, filling, grading, and lot regulation in connection therewith. Domestic power tools β saws, drills, sanders, grinders, lawn and garden tools, snowblowers β are governed separately under Β§ 387-104(D) but follow the same 10 p.m.β7 a.m. nighttime restriction for residential areas. 'Emergency work' (defined in Β§ 387-102 as work to prevent or alleviate physical trauma or property damage) is exempt under Β§ 387-104(C)(1), and blasting under proper permit may occur only between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday per Β§ 387-107(B). Reading does not exempt licensed contractors during off-hours; the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (34 Pa. Code Ch. 401) governs permit requirements but does not preempt local time-of-day limits.
Under Β§ 387-109, fine of $25-$1,000 plus costs per offense, with each day a separate violation. Stop-work orders are available to the City under its building code authority where construction is permitted but the operator violates conditions of approval.
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