Reading, PA Short-Term Rentals: Noise Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited
- Loud, unusual, excessive noise
- Also barred
- Disorderly conduct, fighting
- Responsible party
- Owner or manager
- Added by
- Ord. No. 58-2025
Summary
Reading bars short-term rental guests from disorderly conduct or excessive noise, and holds the owner or manager responsible for stopping it.
The short-term rental occupants and/or guests shall not engage in disorderly conduct or disturb the peace and quiet of any nearby neighborhood or person by loud, unusual or excessive noise, by tumultuous or offensive conduct, public indecency, threatening, traducing, quarreling, challenging to fight, or fighting, or creating a dangerous or physically offensive condition.
(7) The record owner or designated manager, agent or management group shall be responsible to assure that the occupants or guests of the short-term rental do not create unreasonable noise or disturbances, engage in disorderly conduct, or otherwise violate provisions of the City of Reading Code.
(8) Overnight occupancy of recreational vehicles, camper trailers and tents at the property where the short-term rental is located shall be prohibited. Outdoor overnight sleeping of occupants or guests of the short-term rental is prohibited.
(9) A Short-Term Rental shall not have any outside appearance indicating a change of use from the surrounding residential uses. A key box may be a permitted option.
(10) Sub-leasing or renting space or a portion of the short-term rental property to other persons shall be prohibited.
(11) A short-term rental unit or property shall not be utilized and/or occupied as a residential apartment, bed and breakfast establishment, boarding house, rooming house, multi-family dwelling, shelter, social quarters and/or care facility.
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
City of Reading Code § 600-1108.B(6) bars short-term rental occupants and guests from disorderly conduct or disturbing the peace and quiet of any nearby neighborhood or person through loud, unusual or excessive noise, tumultuous or offensive conduct, public indecency, threatening or quarreling, fighting, or creating a dangerous or physically offensive condition. Subsection B(7) then puts the compliance burden on the record owner or designated manager, who must assure guests don't create unreasonable noise or disturbances or otherwise violate the City Code.
Violations & Fines
Enforced as a zoning violation under § 600-206: civil judgment of $100-$500 per day the violation continues, plus court costs and attorney fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is liable if a Reading short-term rental gets noisy?
Is a specific decibel limit set for STRs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Reading
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