What zoning rules apply to STRs in Reading?

A 1,000-foot separation distance between short-term rentals may be enforced in certain zoning districts.

What are the permit fees in Reading?

At least one off-street parking space is required, or public parking must be available within 700 feet.

What are the key requirements for Reading hosts?

Property must be registered on the city housing-registration roster before an STR license can be issued.

What should Reading hosts know about gross receipts are subject to?

Gross receipts are subject to a 2.25 mill Business Privilege Tax (BPT) payable to the city.

Reading

Permissive

PennsylvaniaUpdated Apr 16, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 12, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Reading requires a Short-Term Rental License, a Zoning Permit, and a Business Privilege License for all short-term rental operations.

Restriction level

Severity 0

Classification

Permissive

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $200
Permit required
Reporting required
Safety standards required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

To host a short-term rental in Reading, you must first obtain a city business license and a specific STR license. Your property must meet zoning requirements, which include mandatory off-street parking and a safety inspection. Most residential zones require a 'special exception' permit, and there are rules about how close rentals can be to one another.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$200

Processing time4-8 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1A 1,000-foot separation distance between short-term rentals may be enforced in certain zoning districts.
2At least one off-street parking space is required, or public parking must be available within 700 feet.
3Property must be registered on the city housing-registration roster before an STR license can be issued.
4Gross receipts are subject to a 2.25 mill Business Privilege Tax (BPT) payable to the city.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Reading: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Reading: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Reading prohibits STRs in the following property types: Recreational Vehicles, Camper Trailers, Tents.
Reading does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements12 rules

Reading STR warning: At least one off-street parking space is required, or public parking must be available within 700 feet.
Reading requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: $500,000. Proof of insurance must be submitted with the annual license application.

Application process10 rules

Reading STR permit - Step 4: Submit Short-Term Rental License Application. Apply for the specific STR license via the Reading Self-Serve portal. Required documents: Proof of ownership, Floor plan, Insurance certificate. Time: 2-4 weeks. Cost: 200.

Fees & costs2 rules

Reading: At least one off-street parking space is required, or public parking must be available within 700 feet.
Reading charges a registration fee of $200 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $55 (Annual Business Privilege License fee).

Taxes3 rules

Berks charges a Berks County Hotel Room Rental Tax of 0.05%. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax.
Reading: Gross receipts are subject to a 2.25 mill Business Privilege Tax (BPT) payable to the city.
Pennsylvania has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Reading limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Reading enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
Reading occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Reading requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan identifying all egress points, Safety inspection required every 2 years, House rules must be posted inside the unit.

Penalties2 rules

Reading enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by code violation. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Reading: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

Reading exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Motels, Licensed Bed and Breakfasts.
Reading: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Reading

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

Apply for Business Privilege License

1-2 weeks$55

Documents needed

Owner photo ID
EIN or SSN

Official resource

Step 2

Obtain Zoning Permit

Verify your property's zoning. If in R-3, apply for a Special Exception. Ensure your property meets the 1,000-foot separation rule if applicable.

2-4 weeks$150

Documents needed

Site plan
Parking diagram

Official resource

Step 3

Register for Housing Roster

Add your property to the city's housing-registration roster, which is required for all rental properties in Reading.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Property address
Owner contact info

Official resource

Step 4

Submit Short-Term Rental License Application

Apply for the specific STR license via the Reading Self-Serve portal.

2-4 weeks$200

Documents needed

Proof of ownership
Floor plan
Insurance certificate

Official resource

Step 5

Pass Safety Inspection

Schedule and pass a property maintenance and safety inspection conducted by the city's code official.

1-2 weeksFree

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Reading

Permissive

PennsylvaniaUpdated Apr 16, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 12, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Reading requires a Short-Term Rental License, a Zoning Permit, and a Business Privilege License for all short-term rental operations.

Restriction level

Severity 0

Classification

Permissive

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $200
Permit required
Reporting required
Safety standards required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$200

Processing time4-8 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1A 1,000-foot separation distance between short-term rentals may be enforced in certain zoning districts.
2At least one off-street parking space is required, or public parking must be available within 700 feet.
3Property must be registered on the city housing-registration roster before an STR license can be issued.
4Gross receipts are subject to a 2.25 mill Business Privilege Tax (BPT) payable to the city.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Reading: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Reading: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Reading prohibits STRs in the following property types: Recreational Vehicles, Camper Trailers, Tents.
Reading does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements12 rules

Reading STR warning: At least one off-street parking space is required, or public parking must be available within 700 feet.
Reading requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: $500,000. Proof of insurance must be submitted with the annual license application.

Application process10 rules

Reading STR permit - Step 4: Submit Short-Term Rental License Application. Apply for the specific STR license via the Reading Self-Serve portal. Required documents: Proof of ownership, Floor plan, Insurance certificate. Time: 2-4 weeks. Cost: 200.

Fees & costs2 rules

Reading: At least one off-street parking space is required, or public parking must be available within 700 feet.
Reading charges a registration fee of $200 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $55 (Annual Business Privilege License fee).

Taxes3 rules

Berks charges a Berks County Hotel Room Rental Tax of 0.05%. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax.
Reading: Gross receipts are subject to a 2.25 mill Business Privilege Tax (BPT) payable to the city.
Pennsylvania has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Reading limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Reading enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
Reading occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Reading requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan identifying all egress points, Safety inspection required every 2 years, House rules must be posted inside the unit.

Penalties2 rules

Reading enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by code violation. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Reading: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

Reading exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Motels, Licensed Bed and Breakfasts.
Reading: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Reading

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

Apply for Business Privilege License

1-2 weeks$55

Documents needed

Owner photo ID
EIN or SSN

Official resource

Step 2

Obtain Zoning Permit

Verify your property's zoning. If in R-3, apply for a Special Exception. Ensure your property meets the 1,000-foot separation rule if applicable.

2-4 weeks$150

Documents needed

Site plan
Parking diagram

Official resource

Step 3

Register for Housing Roster

Add your property to the city's housing-registration roster, which is required for all rental properties in Reading.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Property address
Owner contact info

Official resource

Step 4

Submit Short-Term Rental License Application

Apply for the specific STR license via the Reading Self-Serve portal.

2-4 weeks$200

Documents needed

Proof of ownership
Floor plan
Insurance certificate

Official resource

Step 5

Pass Safety Inspection

Schedule and pass a property maintenance and safety inspection conducted by the city's code official.

1-2 weeksFree

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Apply for Business Privilege License

Obtain Zoning Permit

Register for Housing Roster

Submit Short-Term Rental License Application

Pass Safety Inspection

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Reading?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Reading?

3Are there zoning restrictions for STRs in Reading?

4What are the fees for short-term rentals in Reading?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Apply for Business Privilege License

Obtain Zoning Permit

Register for Housing Roster

Submit Short-Term Rental License Application

Pass Safety Inspection

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Reading?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Reading?

3Are there zoning restrictions for STRs in Reading?

4What are the fees for short-term rentals in Reading?

Disclaimer