Reading, PA Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted
- Ord. 48-2002, amended 2021
- Trigger
- obstructing passage of people/vehicles
- Diversion program
- available for 1st-2nd offense
- Enforced by
- Reading Police Department
Summary
Reading bans loitering that obstructs streets, sidewalks, bridges or public buildings by hindering the free passage of pedestrians or vehicles, enforceable citywide by police.
No person shall loiter in a public place, as heretofore defined, in such manner as to obstruct any public street, public sidewalk, public bridge, or other public place or public building by hindering or impeding or tending to hinder or impede the free and uninterrupted passage of vehicles or pedestrians.
B. No person shall commit in or upon any public street, public sidewalk, public bridge, or other public place or public building any act which obstructs or interferes with the free and uninterrupted use of property or the lawful conducting of any business by anyone in or upon or facing or fronting on any such public street, public sidewalk, public bridge, or other public place or public building, in such manner as to hinder or impede or tend to hinder or impede the free and uninterrupted ingress and egress thereto.
C. If the person's conduct constituting the offense is upon the officer's view imperiling the personal security of any person or endangering public or private property, the officer shall have the ability to employ Title 234,
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-8: Current through August 10, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 353's loitering section prohibits standing, remaining, or gathering in a public place in a manner that obstructs a public street, sidewalk, bridge, or public building by hindering or impeding free passage of vehicles or pedestrians, and separately bars conduct that obstructs the free use of adjoining property or businesses. 'Loitering' is defined to include standing around or parking a vehicle, or being part of a gathered group, while engaging in conduct the chapter prohibits. Officers who observe conduct imperiling personal safety or endangering property may proceed under Pa. Rule of Criminal Procedure 519 for arrest without a warrant.
Violations & Fines
First offense: fine up to $25 or diversion program; second offense up to $50; third or later offense up to $100, per § 353-106.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is simply standing on a Reading sidewalk illegal?
What's the penalty for a first loitering violation in Reading?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Reading
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