Reading building department

The City of Reading’s Building and Trades Division, in Room 3-10 of City Hall, issues building, accessibility, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits for property inside the city. It enforces the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) along with the International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Energy Conservation Codes and the National Electrical Code. Reading also licenses its own electrical, plumbing, and mechanical trades. Berks County boroughs and townships outside the city limits have their own code officials.

Order of approvals

The city’s business guide says the building permit comes after zoning, planning, and historic approvals. A typical sequence:

1. Zoning permit. Apply at the Zoning office, City Hall Room 1-25, (610) 655-6326. Zoning permits carry a fee, and operating a business without one is illegal.
2. Planning approval, if needed. The Planning Commission meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., and submissions are due ten working days ahead, typically the second Tuesday. Planning office: (610) 655-6443.
3. Historic review. Exterior changes in the Callowhill, Centre Park, Prince, and Penn’s Common historic districts and the Heights Conservation District need a Certificate of Appropriateness. HARB meets the third Tuesday of every month, and applications are due at least ten working days before the meeting.
4. Building and trade permits from Building and Trades.
5. Fire protection permits. The Fire Marshal (610-655-6080) reviews and permits sprinkler and fire-alarm plans separately from the building permit.

For commercial projects, the Planning Office (610-655-6443) schedules One-Stop meetings on Thursdays. These bring Zoning, Planning, Building and Trades, and the Fire Marshal together before you apply. The city itself points out that “virtually no building project ever requires only ‘one stop.’”

How to apply

Applications can be filed online through the city’s Tyler EnerGov self-service portal, which has Construction and other permit categories, or in person at City Hall. The paper Building and Trades Permit Application covers building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work in one form. It asks for the project cost (labor plus materials), whether plans are attached, and the contractor’s city trades license number. It also includes three conditions:

• All contract work must be done by a contractor holding a valid City of Reading business privilege license and contractor’s license.
• A permit is void if work doesn’t start within 180 days of issuance, or if more than 180 days pass between approved inspections.
• Temporary dumpsters and storage containers need a separate permit costing $5 per calendar day, with a $25 minimum.

The city’s online Permit Cost Estimator calculates the permit fee and the required state fee from the permit type (new construction, remodel, demolition, electrical, mechanical, plumbing) and the project cost. See how much a building permit costs for how valuation-based fees generally work.

Residential plan requirements

For residential construction, the city requires a site plan (at least 1/8-inch scale) showing lot dimensions, buildings, driveways, and setbacks. It also requires the following drawings:

• elevations of all four sides
• floor plans at 1/4-inch scale showing smoke-alarm locations and exhaust fans
• foundation plans with footings, reinforcing, and anchor bolts
• floor and roof framing plans, including deck ledger attachment and truss specifications
• wall sections with insulation R-values
• mechanical, electrical, and plumbing layouts
• a storm drainage plan

You also need a REScheck energy certificate or another way to show energy-code compliance.

Commercial plan requirements

Commercial applicants submit three complete sets of plans and specifications. Every sheet, addendum, revision, and specification must carry the signed and dated seal of a Pennsylvania-licensed architect or engineer. Sheets must be at least 18 by 24 inches. Each set needs a code analysis covering occupancy classification, construction type, allowable area and height, occupant load and exiting, plumbing fixture count, and parking. New construction also needs a soils report and a stormwater management plan with 100-year storm calculations.

City trade licenses

Reading issues its own trade licenses for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work, and the Building and Trades Division runs the licensing boards. Under the plumbing application:

• A master plumber must hold a journeyman license, have at least two years’ experience as a journeyman under a registered master, and pass ICC exam G24-N.
• A journeyman must have completed a four-year registered apprenticeship and pass ICC exam G25-N.
• Annual fees are $90 for a master plumber and $50 for a journeyman.
• Reciprocal licenses are accepted only from first-, second-, or third-class cities.

Fire sprinkler contractors also need a certificate of fitness from the Reading Fire Marshal.

Inspections and occupancy

The contractor or owner schedules inspections by calling (610) 655-6284. Typical stages include footings, foundation walls, slab on grade, and underground plumbing and electrical, followed by rough framing and trades, above-ceiling work, insulation, and drywall. For a business, the final inspection must have all trade inspectors and the Fire Marshal present at the same time. It is illegal to operate before the final Certificate of Occupancy is issued. Restaurants and grocery stores also need a health inspection through Property Maintenance at (610) 655-6214.

Contact

Building and Trades Division, City Hall Room 3-10, 815 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601. Phone (610) 655-6284, or the city’s main line at 1-877-PAREADING (1-877-727-3234).