Reading, PA Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking Rules (2026)

Chapter 576, Part 9 gives Reading two distinct snow-removal tools. First, § 576-902 lets the Mayor, or the Managing Director if the Mayor is unavailable, declare a citywide snow emergency whenever weather requires expedited traffic and restricted parking, snow is actively falling, snow has already covered the pavement, or a recognized forecasting service issues a firm snow forecast. Once declared, parking is banned on every 'snow emergency route,' a defined term for streets Public Works has marked as such, and stays banned until the Mayor or Managing Director announces the emergency is over.

Owners have only four hours from the declaration to clear a vehicle off a route. Second, and separately, § 576-903 lets the Director of Public Works, or in the Commercial Core District or a Parking Zone the Mayor, Managing Director or the Parking Authority's Executive Director, post any City street 'no parking' for snow removal or inclement weather even with no emergency declared; that posting also carries a four-hour removal window once temporary signs go up. A, with 'Snow Emergency Route. No Parking During Emergency.

' signage posted at intervals not exceeding 660 feet under § 576-905. During a declared emergency, the Reading Parking Authority must let city residents park free in its garages. Section 576-907 authorizes the Director and Chief of Police to close streets for plowing, making it unlawful to enter a closed area without authorization, and bars anyone from shoveling snow or ice from private property or a sidewalk onto a City street.