A building permit can be obtained by contacting
the Building/Trades office @ 610-655-6284 or by visiting
our office at
Building Code # 99-2006
International Existing Building Code # 96-2006
International Fire Code # 29-2004
International Plumbing Code # 106-2006
International Mechanical Code # 97-2006
International Residential Code # 94-2006
International Electrical Code Administrative Provisions # 98-2006
What
International/National Codes do you use?
2006
International Building
Code
2006 International Fire Code
2006 International Existing Building Code
2006 International Plumbing Code
2006 International Mechanical Code
2006 International Residential Code
2006 International Electrical Code
2002 ICC/ANSI a117.1/Accessibility Code
All referenced standards applicable to the above International
Building Code.
When
are permits required?
Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct,
enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the
occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install,
enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any
electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the
installation of which is regulated by this code, or
to cause any such work to be done, shall first submit
application to the building official and obtain the
required permit.
How
do I obtain a permit?
By contacting the Building/Trades office at 610-655-6284
or visit our office at
815 Washington Street, Room 3-10
Who
can apply for a permit?
Any property owner or authorized agent of an owner
may apply for a building permit as approved by the Building
Code official.Licensed Contractor meeting City of
Reading requirements.An architect, designer, developer
or builder acting as a Prime General contractor and
as approved by the Building Code official.
What
are the general building code guidelines/procedures?
Obtain all Zoning/Land development approval.Obtain
Historical approval if applicable.Submit permit application
with construction documents when required.Applications
for permit shall:Identify and describe the work to be
covered by the permit for which application is made.Describe
the land on which the proposed work is to be done by
legal description, street address or similar description
that will readily identify and definitely locate the
proposed building or work.
How
do I get a building permit? Who can apply for a building
permit? When are permits required? How do I obtain a
building permit? How do I apply for a building
permit?
At City Hall, Monday through Friday, 8:00AM
to 4:00 PM.
Building permits are required for any general carpentry
work performed on your property. All
property owners are allowed to do this type of work
on their properties.
For minor or moderate constructions projects, the building
permit can usually be applied for an obtained the same
day. Whenever a contractor is hired
to perform these repairs, be aware that the contractor
is responsible for obtaining the building permit.
The building permit should be displayed in the
front window of your home until the work is completed.
Certain cosmetic repairs do not require a building
permit, such as painting, laying a finished floor, or
installing window sash cord.For larger construction
projects, such as room or building additions, there
are additional requirements. You
may have to apply to additional departments for their
approval prior to obtaining a building permit.
These departments could include Zoning, Fire,
Engineering, Water Authority or Historic Preservation.Trades
permits, such as electric, heating or plumbing, can
also be obtained in the Codes
Services Department. Owners of single-family
dwellings are permitted to do limited repairs in these
fields. Prior to obtaining the appropriate
permit; you will have to talk to the trades’ inspector
for approval. Owners of any rental
properties must hire a City of Reading licensed contractor
to perform these trades work.
Can
I operate a business in my house?
The City of Reading is divided into certain land development
zones, each with permitted uses. To
find if a home business is permitted at your address,
you should call the Zoning Department at (610) 655-6343.
How
do I file a complaint or report a blighted property?To
report any complaint regarding a City property, you
can call or submit the complaint in writing to the Codes
Services Department or report the property to your
local neighborhood Community Group or your area code
inspector.
What
is overgrowth?
Any grass, weed or plant (?) shall not be in
excess of six inches. If this occurs
it is considered overgrowth. Cultivated
flowers or gardens THAT ARE PROPERLY MAINTAINED
are not considered overgrowth. (THERE
IS A COMPLETE LIST OF UNACCEPTABLE PLANTS IN THE WEED
ORDINANCE.)
What
is the law regarding property maintaince? What is the
codes department doing to help clean up Reading?
Reading has adopted the International Property Maintenance
Code 2003 edition with local amendments and our inspectors
are on the streets enforcing this code.
We are doing inspections, giving notices of violations,
issue citations with recommended fines as applicable
and responding to complaints as well. Our
department has broken the city into nine sections and
we have one inspector per section. The
Codes division also
has three floating inspectors to help with the overflow.
Our inspectors are expected to be on the street
for six hours during their eight-hour workday.
What
is the law regarding property maintaince?
The City of Reading has adopted the International Property
Maintenance Code 2003 edition with local amendments,
which is the governing law in accordance for all properties
in the city.
Rules/Laws
for landlords and tenants?
The Code’s office is open from 8
am until 4
pm
and any person may come into our office and ask to
view a copy of the Property Maintenance Code at no cost
to them. IN ADDITION, ANY PERSON
MAY VIEW THE PROPERTY FILE ON ANY SPECIFIC ADDRESS IN
THE CITY OF READING. The city also
has a web site that may contain any updates for them.
Another option is that they can entertain is
to call out office to set up an inspection, however
there is a cost associated for us to perform the inspection.
Do
you have a residential rental unit checklist?
The city does have a standard checklist and forms that
our inspectors fill out while performing a property
inspection.
What
About Snow Removal?
Twenty-four hours after the end of the snowstorm, property
owners shall provide a 36-inch snow free path for pedestrians
to walk. In lieu of the snow free
path, placing a substance of gravel, salt, cinders on
the sidewalk shall provide a 36-inch slip hazard path.
What
is the cost and frequency of Rental Inspections?
At this time the rental inspections are required every
three years based upon Reading Property Maintenance
Code 2003 edition which was adopted in October 2005.
The housing permit cost pays for the cost of inspection
which is $50 per dwelling unit or single family dwelling
and $25 per each single room (rooming house).
Rental
occupant report – due annually to whom?
The owner of rental dwelling unit or rental single
family dwelling shall be responsible for providing a
certified list of tenants/occupants for listed property
before June 01 or December 01 of each calendar year.
The owner of rental unit who fails to submit the required
tenant/occupant listing shall upon conviction in a summary
proceeding be sentenced to fine not less than $500 or
not more than $1000 or in default of payment a term
of imprisonment not more than 90 days.
How
do I find the owner of property on my block?
For this information please visit the Berks County
website at http://www.co.berks.pa.us
Who
owns which street lights and who should I call when
a light is out?
Street lights on wooden poles are owned by MetEd, while
those on metal poles are owned by the City. All street
light complaints should go to 610-655-6128. We will
forward any complaints regarding MetEd facilities to
them. The complaint should include an address and a
pole number if there is one. The pole number generally
is on two yellow tags attached to the pole.
Does
the city require a local manager for owners who live
more than 25 miles from the city of Reading?
The ordinance bill number 7A-2005 requires that no
rental permit/license shall be issued to any rental
unit owned or operated by a person residing outside
of County of Berks until or unless there is a local
agent duly authorized by owner. The bill does not refer
any distance requirements of 25 miles from City of Reading
boundary.
What
is the sequence of steps for permitting, zoning, planning,
business taxes, (for opening up a new business)?
Every business that exists in City of Reading needs
an approved zoning permit and a business privilege tax
license along with an occupancy permit/inspection from
building department.
