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Reading Overview
Reading, PA Code of Ordinances
READING, PA CODE OF ORDINANCES
PREFACE
Chapter C HOME RULE CHARTER
Chapter 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
Chapter 5 ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
Chapter 14 AUTHORITIES
Chapter 23 BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES AND COUNCILS
Chapter 36 FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES
Chapter 51 INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM
Chapter 62 PENSIONS
Chapter 70 PERSONNEL
Chapter 77 POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chapter 91 SALARIES AND COMPENSATION
Chapter 120 ALARM SYSTEMS
Chapter 127 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Chapter 141 ANIMALS
Chapter 166 CABLE TELEVISION
Chapter 173 COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY CODE
Chapter 180 CONSTRUCTION CODES
Chapter 185 CONVERSION THERAPY
Chapter 188 CURFEW
Chapter 201 ELECTRIC SERVICE
Chapter 212 FEES
Chapter 219 FIREARMS
Chapter 225 FIREWORKS
Chapter 231 FIRE INSURANCE PROCEEDS
Chapter 237 FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION
Chapter 251 FOOD CODE
Chapter 272 GRAFFITI
Chapter 288 HEALTH AND SAFETY
Chapter 295 HISTORICAL AND CONSERVATION DISTRICTS
Chapter 302 HOUSE NUMBERING
Chapter 308 HOUSING
Chapter 317 INVASIVE PLANTS AND NOXIOUS WEEDS
Chapter 325 LAW ENFORCEMENT
Chapter 328 LEAD POISONING PREVENTION
Chapter 332 LIBRARY
Chapter 339 LICENSES AND PERMITS
Chapter 346 LITTER AND ADVERTISING MATERIAL
Chapter 353 LOITERING AND PANHANDLING
Chapter 364 MASSAGE THERAPISTS
Chapter 378 MUNICIPAL CLAIMS AND LIENS
Chapter 387 NOISE
Chapter 396 PARKS AND RECREATION
Chapter 403 PAWNBROKERS
Chapter 410 PEDDLING AND SOLICITING
Chapter 424 POLES
Chapter 431 PROPERTY SALES
Chapter 433 PUBLIC ART
Chapter 438 RAIN BARRELS
Chapter 442 RECORDS, PUBLIC ACCESS
Chapter 453 SALES
Chapter 460 SCRAP METAL DEALERS
Chapter 467 SEWERS AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL
Chapter 473 SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES
Chapter 479 SIDEWALK CAFES
Chapter 485 SIGNS
Chapter 496 SOLID WASTE
Chapter 502 STORAGE FACILITIES
Chapter 505 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Chapter 508 STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
Chapter 515 SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 521 SUSTAINABILITY
Chapter 536 TAMPERING WITH PUBLIC PROPERTY
Chapter 540 TATTOO AND PIERCING ESTABLISHMENTS
Chapter 543 TAX ABATEMENTS
Chapter 546 TAX AMNESTY PROGRAM
Chapter 549 TAXATION
Chapter 555 TREES
Chapter 564 VEHICLE NUISANCES, STORAGE OF
Chapter 570 VEHICLE REPAIR SHOPS
Chapter 576 VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Chapter 583 VENDING MACHINES
Chapter 600 ZONING
Chapter A610 ANNEXATION OF TERRITORY
Chapter A611 BOND ISSUES AND LOANS
Chapter A612 FRANCHISE AND SERVICES
Chapter A613 GOVERNMENTAL AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
Chapter A614 PLAN APPROVAL
Chapter A615 PUBLIC PROPERTY
Chapter A616 SEWERS
Chapter A617 STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
Chapter A618 WATER
Chapter A619 ZONING; PRIOR ORDINANCES
Chapter DT DERIVATION TABLE
Chapter DL DISPOSITION LIST
Chapter 23
BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES AND COUNCILS
Part 1
Planning Commission
§ 23-101.   Creation of Commission.
§ 23-102.   Removal of members.
Part 2
Penn Square Commission
§ 23-201.   Creation and name.
§ 23-202.   Purpose.
§ 23-203.   Powers and duties.
§ 23-204.   Membership.
§ 23-205.   Term of office.
§ 23-206.   Compensation.
§ 23-207.   Conduct of business.
§ 23-208.   Indemnification.
Part 3
Citizens’ Initiative Commission
§ 23-301.   Creation.
§ 23-302.   Purpose.
§ 23-303.   Citizen Initiatives Commission Appointments.
§ 23-304.   Officers.
§ 23-305.   Meetings.
§ 23-306.   Removal of members.
Part 4
First Energy Stadium Commission
§ 23-401.   Creation and members.
§ 23-402.   Appointments and vacancies.
§ 23-403.   Removal of members.
§ 23-404.   Compensation.
§ 23-405.   Officers and procedural rules.
§ 23-406.   Powers and duties.
Part 5
Human Relations Commission; Discrimination
§ 23-501.   Legislative findings and declaration of policy.
§ 23-502.   Scope.
§ 23-503.   Definitions.
§ 23-504.   Human Relations Commission.
§ 23-505.   Powers and duties of Commission.
§ 23-506.   Unlawful employment practices.
§ 23-507.   Unlawful housing practices.
§ 23-508.   Unlawful lending practices.
§ 23-509.   Unlawful public accommodation practices.
§ 23-510.   Obstruction of fair practices.
§ 23-511.   City contracts.
§ 23-512.   Procedure.
§ 23-513.   Enforcement.
§ 23-514.   Violations and penalties.
Part 6
Charter Board
§ 23-601.   Title; purpose.
§ 23-602.   Organization of Charter Board.
§ 23-603.   Powers and duties of Charter Board.
§ 23-604.   Standards for interpretation of Reading City Charter and Administrative Code.
§ 23-605.   Enforcement.
§ 23-606.   Educational duties of Charter Board.
Part 7
Equal Business Opportunity Advisory Board
§ 23-701.   Policy.
§ 23-702.   Definitions.
§ 23-703.   Purpose.
§ 23-704.   Membership and Officers.
§ 23-705.   Meetings.
§ 23-706.   Powers and duties of Board.
§ 23-707.   City contracts.
Part 8
Board of Health
§ 23-801.   Establishment; members.
§ 23-802.   Purpose.
§ 23-803.   Organization.
§ 23-804.   Powers and duties.
§ 23-805.   Meetings.
§ 23-806.   Advisors.
Part 9
Blighted Property Review Committee
§ 23-901.   Short title.
§ 23-902.   Purpose.
§ 23-903.   Creation, members, duties, term and expenditures.
§ 23-904.   Definitions.
§ 23-905.   Blighted property removal.
§ 23-906.   Restrictions.
§ 23-907.   Reuse of acquired property.
§ 23-908.   Conflict with other laws.
Part 10
Diversity Board
§ 23-1001.   Purpose.
§ 23-1002.   Responsibilities.
§ 23-1003.   Membership; removal.
§ 23-1004.   Organization of Board.
§ 23-1005.   Powers and duties.
§ 23-1006.   Meetings.
§ 23-1007.   Expenditures for services.
Part 11
Environmental Advisory Council
§ 23-1101.   Purpose.
§ 23-1102.   Membership.
§ 23-1103.   Meetings and voting.
§ 23-1104.   Officers and compensation.
§ 23-1105.   Duties.
§ 23-1106.   Bylaws.
§ 23-1107.   Hearings.
§ 23-1108.   Intermunicipal cooperation.
Part 12
Downtown Revitalization Public Private Partnership
§ 23-1201.   Authorization.
§ 23-1202.   Officers.
§ 23-1203.   Committees.
§ 23-1204.   Quorum.
§ 23-1205.   Purpose.
§ 23-1206.   Duties.
Part 13
Audit Committee
§ 23-1301.   Purpose.
§ 23-1302.   Membership.
§ 23-1303.   Functions.
§ 23-1304.   Authority.
Part 14
Code and License Appeals Board
§ 23-1401.   Organization.
§ 23-1402.   Powers.
Part 15
Youth Commission
§ 23-1501.   Purpose.
§ 23-1502.   Youth Commission Members.
§ 23-1503.   City Council Liaison.
§ 23-1504.   Meetings.
§ 23-1505.   Duties and functions.
§ 23-1506.   Removal of members.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Reading as indicated in part histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Board of Ethics — See Ch. 5, Part 10.
Officers and Employees Retirement Board — See Ch. 62, Part 2.
Firemen's Pension Fund Board of Managers — See Ch. 62, Part 3.
Animal Control Board — See Ch. 141, Part 2.
Board of Appeals — See Ch. 180.
Board of Historical Architectural Review — See Ch. 295.
Board of Trustees of the Reading Public Library — See Ch. 332.
Shade Tree Commission — See Ch. 555.
STATE LAW REFERENCES
Planning Commission — See 53 P.S. § 10201 et seq.
Sunshine Act/Open Meeting Law — See 65 Pa.C.S.A. § 701 et seq.
Human Relations Act — See 43 P.S. § 951 et seq.
Rental housing discrimination — See 35 P.S. § 1680.402a et seq.
Service uniform discrimination — See 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 7323. Blighted properly removal — See 35 P.S. § 1712.1.
Board of Health — See 53 P.S. § 37301 et seq.
Municipalities Financial Recovery Act — See 53 P.S. § 11701.101 et seq.
Part 1
Planning Commission
[Adopted 2-18-1914 by Ord. No. 46a; amended in its entirety 12-13-2010 by Ord. No. 103-2010; amended 1-10-2022 by Ord. No. -2022; 10-10-2022 by Ord. No. 118-2022; (Ch. 1, Part 5G, of the 2001 Code of Ordinances)]
§ 23-101. Creation of Commission.
A City Planning Commission to be composed of seven members, appointed as provided by law (53 P.S. § 10202), is hereby created in and for the City. The Planning Commission shall perform all duties and may exercise all powers conferred by law upon City planning agencies; provided, the Planning Commission previously created in and for the said City shall constitute the tenure of any of the members thereof, but any and all vacancies in the said Commission, hereafter occurring, shall be filled in the manner and for the term provided in the law governing City planning commissions in effect at the time of the happening of said vacancy.
§ 23-102. Removal of members.
Any member may be removed for malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance in office or for other just cause by a majority vote of Council taken after the member has received 15 days' advance notice of the intent to take such vote, as per the PA Municipalities Planning Code. Failure of a member to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the Planning Commission will constitute grounds for immediate removal from the Planning Commission by City Council. Failure of a member to attend at least 50% of the regular meetings of the Planning Commission in a calendar year will constitute grounds for immediate removal from the Planning Commission by City Council. The Chairperson of the Planning Commission shall inform the City Clerk in writing when a member has failed to comply with this attendance policy. Following such notification, City Council may vote to remove the member and seek applicants to fill the vacant position.
Part 2
Penn Square Commission
[Adopted 3-19-1975 by Ord. No. 10-1975 by Ord. No. 10-1975; amended in its entirety 5-29-2001 by Ord. No. 14-2001 (Ch. 1, Part 5F, of the 2001 Code of Ordinances)]
§ 23-201. Creation and name.
There is hereby created, pursuant to the provisions of the Third Class City Code, 1 to be known as "The Penn Square Commission of the City of Reading," hereinafter referred to as "Commission."
1.   Editor's Note: See 11 Pa.C.S. §§ 10101 et seq.
§ 23-202. Purpose.
The purpose of the Penn Square Commission is to organize, promote and give direction to the efforts of both private and public organizations interested in fostering the civic, social, cultural and economic development within the City's new public commons in its downtown area; and to renew, preserve and enhance the economic and aesthetic value of the City's central business district.
§ 23-203. Powers and duties.
   A.   The Penn Square Commission shall administer and supervise the use, operation and maintenance of Penn Square, Market Square and such other public spaces as may be designated by resolution of Council. The powers and duties of the Commission shall include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the establishment of use, operation and maintenance policies; the promotion of activities; solicitation of funds; the procurement and scheduling of all programs and events; the issuance of use permits; the establishment of a schedule of rental rates and charges; and the establishment of rules of conduct and safety. Provided, however, any leases or contracts in excess of one year shall be subject to the approval of Council.
   B.   The Commission, within the annual budgetary appropriations established by Council, may employ such persons and make such expenditures as may be necessary for the conduct of all business within its jurisdiction. Any such persons employed by the Commission shall be subject to the wages, hours and conditions of employment as established by Council. The Commission shall submit to Council, not later than October 1 of each year, its recommendations for the budgetary appropriations, the personnel complement, and the wage and salary classifications within its jurisdiction for the succeeding year. The Commission shall make an annual report to Council in December of each year on the operations of the Commission.
§ 23-204. Membership.
Membership on the Penn Square Commission shall consist of 11 residents and/or business persons engaged in business in Downtown Reading, at least six of whom shall be residents of the City. At least five such members, if available, shall be members of the Reading Market Association (RMA) or equivalent downtown business organization. At least one such member, if available, shall be a representative of the Chamber of Commerce of Reading and Berks County. All members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of Council.
§ 23-205. Term of office.
The initial appointment of members serving on the Penn Square Commission shall consist of three members appointed for a term of one year, two of whom shall be representatives of the Chamber of Commerce of Reading and Berks County and Downtown Association of Reading Endeavors; two members appointed for a term of two years; and two members appointed for a term of three years. Thereafter, the representatives from the Chamber of Commerce of Reading and Berks County shall be appointed on an annual basis for one year and the remaining 10 members shall be appointed for a term of two years and shall serve until their successors are appointed. Any vacancy occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term in the manner as provided herein for original appointments.
§ 23-206. Compensation.
The members of the Penn Square Commission shall serve without compensation.
§ 23-207. Conduct of business.
The members of the Penn Square Commission shall elect their own Chairman and Secretary and shall select all other officers necessary to conduct business, to serve for a term not exceeding the term of their appointment. The Commission shall adopt rules and regulations for its internal organization and procedure and for the conduct of all business within its jurisdiction. The Commission in its discretion may appoint persons to act as advisors to subcommittees appointed by the Commission.
§ 23-208. Indemnification.
The City shall indemnify and save harmless any officer, director or member of the Penn Square Commission from and against any claims or liabilities (including reasonable attorney fees) on any judgment, decree, fine or penalties imposed on him for any act or omission committed or incurred while acting as such, and reimburse him for all legal and other expenses reasonably incurred by him in defense thereof, at such terms as provided by governing law; provided that there shall be no obligation to reimburse, partially or wholly, such persons for claims or liabilities determined by a court to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness.
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