Reading, PA Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)

Unlike Lower Merion Township and a handful of other Pennsylvania municipalities that have enacted gas-leaf-blower bans, the City of Reading's Codified Ordinances contain no separate leaf-blower chapter, no decibel cap specific to blowers, and no seasonal restriction. Leaf blowers fall under § 387-104(D)'s catch-all for 'any mechanically powered saw, drill, sander, grinder, lawn or garden tool, snowblower or similar device used outdoors in residential areas.' Use between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. that 'cause[s] a noise disturbance across a residential property line' is unlawful except in emergencies. During daytime hours, leaf blowers are permissible, but operators remain subject to the across-the-board noise-disturbance prohibition in § 387-103 — meaning blower use that is plainly audible 50 feet away on a public street, or that disturbs a reasonable person across a property line, can still be cited at any hour. Pennsylvania has not preempted local leaf-blower regulation, so Reading City Council could enact a stricter rule in the future. As of May 2026, none has been adopted.