Short-term stays in Berks County face a 5% county hotel room rental tax plus Pennsylvania's 6% state hotel occupancy tax — roughly 11% total. The county tax is filed monthly with the Treasurer; the state tax is collected by operators or platforms.
Berks County imposes a Hotel Room Rental Tax at five percent (5%) on room rentals received by operators of hotels. Originally limited (Ordinance 1-97) to Reading and areas within 15 miles of the Convention Center, Ordinance 01-13 (effective June 27, 2013) expanded the tax to all hotels located within Berks County. Returns are due by the 25th of each month for the prior month's sales, and a return is required even when no tax is due. On top of that, Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code imposes an excise tax of six per cent on hotel occupancy, which covers short-term rentals under 30 days.
Late or missing county hotel-tax returns incur a late fee and interest. Unremitted state occupancy tax is subject to PA Department of Revenue penalties and interest.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
berks-county-pa
Backyard composting is legal and encouraged in Berks County. No county permit is needed for a home compost pile. Nuisance limits (odor, rodents) and setbacks...
berks-county-pa
Berks County does not regulate artificial turf. Whether synthetic lawn is allowed, and any stormwater or impervious-surface conditions, are set by your munic...
berks-county-pa
Berks County does not regulate native-plant or meadow landscaping. Whether a wildflower meadow is allowed — versus a tall-grass violation — depends on your m...
berks-county-pa
Rain barrels and cisterns are legal in Berks County — Pennsylvania places no restriction on collecting rainwater. The county encourages it as a stormwater be...
berks-county-pa
Berks County sets no routine watering schedule. Statewide, when the Governor declares a drought emergency, 4 Pa. Code §119.4 bans nonessential outdoor water ...
berks-county-pa
Berks County has no countywide weed ordinance. Noxious-weed and tall-vegetation rules are municipal — in Reading, weeds (with grass) must stay under 6 inches...
See how Berks County's taxes & fees rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.