Berks County, PA Short-Term Rentals: Noise Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- County noise rule
- None countywide
- State backstop
- 18 Pa.C.S. §5503
- Local rule
- Municipal noise ordinance
- Enforcer
- Local police / code office
- STR permit
- May add quiet hours
Summary
Berks County has no STR-specific noise ordinance. Guest noise is handled by municipal noise ordinances and by Pennsylvania's disorderly-conduct law (18 Pa.C.S. §5503), which police can enforce for unreasonable noise at any rental.
A person is guilty of disorderly conduct if, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, he ... makes unreasonable noise.
Full Breakdown
Pennsylvania sets no statewide numeric noise limit, and Berks County does not run a countywide noise ordinance for dwellings. Noise from short-term rental guests is controlled two ways: by your municipality's noise or quiet-hours ordinance (Reading and most townships have one), and by the state disorderly-conduct statute, 18 Pa.C.S. §5503, which reaches a person who makes unreasonable noise. Some municipal STR permits add their own quiet-hours condition and can revoke a permit for repeated violations. For enforcement, residents typically call local police or the code office; the county is not the responder.
Violations & Fines
Unreasonable noise can be cited as disorderly conduct (a summary offense) under 18 Pa.C.S. §5503, plus fines under the local noise ordinance; repeat issues may cost a municipal STR permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there quiet hours for rentals?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Berks County
Compare Berks County to another location·View the Pennsylvania short-term rentals overview
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