Reading, PENNSYLVANIA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

City of Reading enforces permits inside city limits. Zoning approval is a prerequisite for building permits.

Department

Building and Trades Division; Zoning Office

Address

City Hall, 815 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601

Phone

(610) 655-6284

Email

fire.marshal@readingpa.gov

Website

https://www.readingpa.gov/zoning-and-planning

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Obtain zoning approval first using the City Zoning Permit Application.
2. Complete the Building and Trades permit application in full. Owner-builders enter 'Self' in contractor field; others must select contractors before submittal.
3. Assemble required plans and documents. Residential projects require 2 hard-copy plan sets; commercial projects require 2 hard-copy plan sets plus 1 thumb drive with digital plans prepared by a PA licensed design professional.
4. Include all related trade permits and fees at one time unless a deferred submittal request is approved.
5. Submit the packet and payment to the City. Checks and money orders must be payable to 'The City of Reading.'
6. For electrical permits, obtain third-party electrical plan review and third-party electrical inspections under the city's interim electrical protocol.
7. After review and fee acceptance, the city issues the permit. A certificate of occupancy is required before use or occupancy where applicable.

Source: Building and Trades Division; Zoning Office

General Requirements

Building permits are required for construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, movement, demolition, or change in occupancy; for regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing systems; for pools, spas, and hot tubs; and before occupancy where a UCC certificate of occupancy is required.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Zoning approval
• Contractor information
• Project cost
• Hard-copy plans (2 sets residential, 2 plus digital for commercial)
• Trade-specific documents
• Fire protection plans for Fire Marshal review where applicable

Permit validity

Permit is void if work does not start within 180 days after issuance or if more than 180 days lapse between required inspections.

Building code

Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, plus city zoning and trade licensing requirements

Owner-builder

Owner may list 'Self' in the contractor field for self-performed work.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must hold a City of Reading trade license number and business privilege license number. Mechanical by current city contractor license; electrical by master electrician with current city contractor license; plumbing by master plumber with current city contractor license.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$54.50

Plan check fee

Residential $100 per trade review except electrical; commercial $250 per trade review except electrical. Electrical has $50 administrative fee plus third-party review/inspection costs.

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based. Building, plumbing, and mechanical: rounded-up project cost in $1,000 units x $20 plus $134.50. Electrical: stepped schedule then $20 increase per $5,000.

Payment note

Checks and money orders payable to 'The City of Reading.' City accepts only correct and complete fee totals with complete applications.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Building and Trades Division; Zoning Office to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (610) 655-6284 (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: Residential and commercial inspections are project-specific. Reading explicitly requires third-party electrical service, rough, and final inspections where electrical work is involved.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, plus city zoning and trade licensing requirements
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• PA Uniform Construction Code
• License lookup guide: Pennsylvania Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Pennsylvania Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Pennsylvania hub: Pennsylvania Contractor License & Permit Hub

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