Reading, PA Permit Requirements: Renovation Permits (2026)

Reading is a Pennsylvania 3rd-class city that has elected to administer and enforce the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) locally. Construction permits are governed by Reading Chapter 180 (Construction Codes) of the Codified Ordinances and by 34 Pa. Code Chapter 403 (the state UCC regulations). 34 Pa. Code Section 403.42(a) lists the work that does NOT require a permit: ordinary repairs that do not involve structural members, electrical service, plumbing piping, gas piping, or mechanical equipment; replacement windows of the same rough opening that meet the energy code; one-story detached accessory buildings under 1,000 sq ft; fences not over 6 feet; retaining walls under 4 feet; siding and roofing on detached one- and two-family dwellings (state-law exemption); painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work; and swings and playground equipment. Section 403.42(b) requires a permit for everything else, including additions, alterations involving structural members, removal of load-bearing walls, new electrical circuits or service upgrades, new plumbing or gas piping, mechanical equipment replacements (furnaces, water heaters, central air), and any change in occupancy classification. Permits are issued by Reading Building and Trades Codes Enforcement, located at City Hall, 815 Washington Street. Applicants submit a Building and Trades Permit Application (downloadable from readingpa.gov) along with three complete sets of plans and specifications. Commercial plans must be sealed by a Pennsylvania-licensed Architect or Professional Engineer. Work must commence within 180 days after permit issuance, and the permit becomes void if more than 180 days lapse between approved inspections. Reading also enforces the 2018 International Building Code, IRC, IEBC, IFC, IPMC, IECC, IPC, IMC, and NEC through the UCC.