Laureldale Borough

Laureldale Borough is the municipal government of Laureldale, Pennsylvania, a Berks County community of roughly 4,277 residents located just north of the City of Reading. The Borough Office sits at 3406 Kutztown Road and serves as the administrative center for a municipality that covers approximately .6 square miles and maintains 15.08 miles of road. Residents and property owners contact the office at 610-929-8700 for sewer and trash billing, permits, code questions and general information about borough services.

Laureldale was incorporated in 1930, formed out of a portion of Muhlenberg Township. Despite its compact footprint, the borough operates a full complement of departments: police, fire, code enforcement, public works and sewer. Its position places residents close to the 5th Street shopping district and within walking distance of the Muhlenberg School District campus, a combination that has shaped the borough's residential character for decades.

Government Structure

Borough Council consists of seven elected members who meet monthly and serve on standing committees covering financial matters, parks and recreation, law, property and supply, public health and public works. Monthly workshop and council meetings are held at 7 p.m., and agendas and minutes spanning 2022 through 2026 are posted on the borough website along with Zoning Hearing Board meeting information. This committee structure means that most day to day questions, from a pothole report to a pavilion rental, have a clear point of contact within the elected body.

The Borough Manager holds several roles, serving simultaneously as Building Inspector, Code Enforcement Officer and Right to Know Officer. A Deputy Codes Officer is also on staff. Public records requests are processed by the manager using the request form posted on the ordinances and documents page of the borough website.

Sewer and Trash Services

Sanitary sewer service is billed quarterly to property owners based on water consumption. A 10% penalty applies to payments made after the due date. All sewage collected in Laureldale is transported to and treated by the City of Reading treatment plant, and the City sets treatment costs on an annual basis, which in turn influences borough rates.

For 2026, pickup occurs on Fridays. Households may set out up to three containers of trash plus one bulk item per week. Late payments incur a 10% penalty plus 1.5% per month, and under Ordinance #407, accounts that remain unpaid are not serviced.

Recycling is also collected on Fridays in 2026. The program accepts:

• Clear, green and brown glass
• Aluminum, tin and bi-metal cans
• #1 (PETE) and #2 (HDPE) plastics
• Paper products including newspapers, magazines, junk mail, phone books, office paper and cereal boxes

Newspapers must be tied or bagged, and all containers need to be at the curb before 5:00 a.m. on collection day. The borough also runs seasonal leaf collection and a brush, tree and shrub drop off program, with regulations posted for residents before each season begins.

Paying Bills

Sewer and trash bills can be paid online through the MuniciPay secure portal, which is linked from the borough website. Residents who prefer to receive invoices electronically rather than by mail can request paperless billing by calling the borough office. In person and mailed payments continue to be accepted at 3406 Kutztown Road.

Permits, Zoning and Code Enforcement

The Borough Office is the issuing point for a wide range of permits and registrations, including zoning, building, mechanical, plumbing, pool, fire pit, auction, soliciting, street cut and yard sale permits. The office also handles rental registration, certificates of occupancy and trades license applications. A Schedule of Fees for 2026 is published online so applicants can estimate costs before filing. Complaint forms for code enforcement issues are available for download, and the Borough Manager, acting as Code Enforcement Officer and Building Inspector, oversees inspections and follow up.

The borough also enforces a Snow and Ice Removal Ordinance intended to keep streets and sidewalks passable during winter weather. Questions about the ordinance can be directed to Borough Hall.

Police

The Laureldale Police Department responds to and investigates crimes, works on crime reduction and places emphasis on building relationships between officers and residents. Additional departmental information, including staffing and contact details, is maintained at laureldalepolice.net.

Parks and Recreation

A Parks and Recreation Committee made up of three Council Members oversees the borough's two public recreation sites. Dominic Manzella Community Park on Elizabeth Avenue includes a playground designed for a range of ages and a pavilion that can be rented for special events through the borough office. The Laureldale Playground on Rosedale Avenue is the second site and serves as the home of the Annual Fall Festival. The committee handles maintenance at both locations, coordinates pavilion reservations and organizes the festival each year.

Community Events

Laureldale maintains an active calendar of community programming organized or supported by the borough, including:

• Sundaes in the Park
• The Annual Fall Festival at Rosedale Playground
• Community Wide Yard Sales
• A holiday house decorating contest
• An Easter Egg Hunt
• The Hometown Heroes Banner program honoring local service members

The borough also promotes local businesses and distributes the Borough Buzz, a flyer mailed to residents with news, reminders and schedule updates.

Tax Collection

Tax Collector Jennifer Heffner maintains an office at 1976 County Street and keeps seasonal hours. During March, April, July and August, hours are Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. From May through November, hours are Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. December appointments are by arrangement only. She can be reached at 610-816-4928.

Visiting the Borough Office

The Borough Office at 3406 Kutztown Road handles sewer and trash payments, permit applications, service questions and general inquiries about borough operations. Meeting agendas, minutes, ordinances, forms and the current fee schedule are available at www.laureldaleboro.org, and staff can be reached by phone at 610-929-8700 during regular business hours.