Starting A Business

Any business operating in the City of Reading is required to have a Zoning Permit, Codes Approval/Permits, and a Business Privilege License. Owners must also register with the Trash/Recycling office. To obtain the necessary documents, contact the Zoning, Codes, Tax Administration and Trash/Recycling Offices. These offices are located at City Hall, 815 Washington Street. You may visit these offices or contact them electronically through the Steps below. Your compliance with each step is required.

STEP 1: ZONING OFFICE

If a business previously existed at the location you are planning to use for your business, and the business types are the same, click here to download the application for a Zoning Permit (Adobe PDF).

Information also available...

E-mail Address For Questions: zoning@readingpa.org

Phone Number To Call: 610-655-6343

Available Forms: Submission Request For Daycares (Adobe PDF)
.........................Submission Request For Transferring Business (Adobe PDF)
.........................Home Occupation Zoning Permit Application (Adobe PDF)

Once you have your Zoning Permit, proceed to Step 2.

STEP 2: CODES

If you are planning on beginning any of the following businesses

Food/Beverage: Grocery Store/Restaurant
Application Available: Health Permit Application (Adobe PDF)
................................Mobile Food Vendor Application (Adobe PDF)

Rentals: Application is obtained in the Zoning Office/ No Rental Application in Codes.

Building/Trades: Type of business use
........................ Professional or service type
........................ Social/entertainment
........................ Manufacturing/retail sales/storage

Questions call Call Center at 1-877-PAREADING (727-3234) or Email at buildingtrades@readingpa.org

Available Forms: Application For Building/Trade Permit (Adobe PDF)
.........................Contractor's Insurance (Adobe PDF)
.........................License & Examination Application Form (Adobe PDF)
.........................Development Process Matrix (Adobe PDF)
.........................Health Permit Application (Adobe PDF)
.........................Itinerant Restaurant Permit Information (Adobe PDF)
.........................Itinerant Health Permit Application (Adobe PDF)
.........................Mobile Vendor Lease Information (Adobe PDF)
.........................Guidelines For Mobile Food Units (Adobe PDF)
.........................Mobile Food Vendor Application (Adobe PDF)
.........................Information On Opening A Grocery Store Or Resturaunt (Adobe PDF)

E-mail addresses for Questions: Health Clerk - health@readingpa.org
................................................Housing Clerk - housing@readingpa.org
................................................Building and Trades - buildingtrades@readingpa.org
............................................... Plumbing Official - plumbing@readingpa.org
............................................... Electrical Official - electric@readingpa.org
............................................... Heating Official - hvac@readingpa.org
............................................... Building Inspector - buildinginspector@readingpa.org

Estimated response time: 24 Hours

Call Center phone number: 1-877-PAREADING (727-3234)

Upon receipt of applicable Codes Permits', proceed to Step 3.

STEP 3: TAX ADMINISTRATION

You need to obtain a Business Privilege License that is to be displayed at your place of business. Click on Business Privilege License Application below to download the form. Note that there are instructions also available for download below for your assistance.

Business Privilege License Application: Click Here (Adobe PDF)

Business Privilege License Application Guide: Click Here (Adobe PDF)

E-mail address for Questions: tax@readingpa.org

Call Center phone number: 1-877-PAREADING (727-3234)

Please send your Application and $55.00 Business Privilege License Fee to:

.......................................................... Tax Administration
....................................................... ......... City Hall
.......................................................... 815 Washington St.
.......................................................... Reading, PA 19601

Once you have your Business Privilege License, proceed to Step 4.

STEP 4: TRASH/RECYCLING

Contact our Trash/Recycling department or click here to fill out the appropriate form for Trash/Recycling purposes.

Commercial Business Municipal Waste Collection Verification Form (Adbobe PDF)

E-mail address for Questions: solidwaste@readingpa.org

Call Center phone number: 1-877-PAREADING (727-3234)