Reading Codes Services

About Reading Codes Services

Reading Codes Services is the City of Reading, PA’s dedicated government office responsible for upholding property standards, safeguarding public health, and ensuring that every neighborhood remains safe, vibrant, and well maintained. Located in the heart of Reading, our team of inspectors, support staff, and administrative professionals works hand-in-hand with residents, property owners, and community partners to address violations, resolve hazards, and promote a higher quality of life across our city.

Our Mission & Vision

Our mission is simple: to enforce building and property maintenance codes fairly, transparently, and effectively. We envision a Reading where every home, apartment, and commercial establishment meets or exceeds the standards that protect public health and safety. By fostering clear communication, timely follow-through, and consistent accountability, we strive to earn – and keep – the trust of the people who call our city home.

How We Serve the Community

• Code Enforcement & Inspections
  From routine property-maintenance checks to emergency investigations of structural or environmental hazards, our certified code inspectors are trained to identify issues such as mold growth, sewage concerns, damaged mailboxes, trash accumulation, and other violations that compromise safety and neighborhood pride.

• Health & Safety Compliance
  We partner with public-health agencies and environmental specialists to investigate mold infestations, sewage discharge, and other hazards. Our collaborative approach ensures that serious concerns receive the technical expertise and regulatory attention they demand.

• Property Standards & Abatement
  Whether it’s enforcing regulations around animal waste, overgrown lawns, or building disrepair, Reading Codes Services coordinates with property owners to bring properties into compliance – or, when necessary, initiates abatement processes to protect neighbors and the broader community.

• Public Information & Support
  We maintain resources, guidelines, and checklists that help homeowners, landlords, and business owners understand local codes and avoid common pitfalls. By providing clear, accessible information, we empower the community to take proactive steps before violations arise.

Commitment to Responsiveness & Accountability

We recognize that residents have voiced concerns about delayed responses or lack of follow-up after complaints are filed. Prompt action and clear communication are at the core of our values. Reading Codes Services is actively refining our intake processes to ensure that every complaint – from a simple trash issue to complex structural hazards – is logged, tracked, and assigned to the appropriate inspector within 48 hours. Our aim is to keep you informed at every stage: acknowledgment, field visit, decision, and resolution.

Ensuring Property Standards & Public Health

A well-maintained property is more than a tidy yard and a functional mailbox; it’s a cornerstone of public health and neighborhood well-being. Reports of overflowing trash, animal waste, and neglected structures raise quality-of-life and safety alarms. Our code-compliance teams conduct systematic patrols and targeted enforcement sweeps, addressing violation hotspots and offering property owners guidance on corrective steps. When serious issues arise – such as mold-infested apartments or illicit sewage discharge – we mobilize quickly, coordinate with health officials, and apply enforcement tools designed to safeguard residents and restore healthy living conditions.

Professionalism & Continuous Improvement

Reading Codes Services holds every team member to the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and customer care. We understand that past experiences have left some residents feeling unheard or dismissed. That’s why we’ve invested in ongoing staff training, clear escalation paths, and an internal accountability framework that encourages inspectors and administrators to own every case until it’s resolved. Our goal is to replace frustration with confidence, showing the community that city government can – and does – get the job done.

Communication & Technology Reliability

We know how critical it is for our online systems to perform reliably when you’re reporting a problem after hours or checking the status of an existing complaint. While some residents have encountered technical glitches, our IT team is working diligently to bolster platform uptime, streamline the submission process, and introduce automated status alerts. Soon, you’ll be able to track every step of your complaint in real time, with email or text updates that confirm when an inspection is scheduled, completed, and closed out.

Engaging with Neighbors & Building Trust

Real progress happens when city hall and the community work in partnership. We host quarterly town halls and virtual feedback sessions to hear directly from you about pain points, success stories, and ideas for improvement. By listening to your experiences – good and bad – we can fine-tune our policies, allocate resources more effectively, and celebrate neighborhoods that model best-in-class property stewardship.

Get in Touch

Whether you’re a homeowner noticing a plumbing-vent break on your block, a tenant concerned about mold in your apartment complex, or a business owner seeking clarity on signage regulations, Reading Codes Services is here to help. Visit our office at 815 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601, call us at (610) 655-6200, or submit your inquiry online at www.readingpa.org/CodeEnforcement. Together, let’s build a safer, healthier, and more beautiful Reading.