Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Guide You
West Reading Borough’s FAQ page answers common questions about taxes, permits, public works, recreation, code enforcement, and local services.
Administration
How do I file a complaint?
Depending on the type of complaint you are calling about you would want to contact that department directly. Property Maintenance complaints must be completed in writing by using a form.
Where can I pay my Real Estate Taxes?
Borough and County Real Estate taxes are issued in March and can be paid at the Borough of West Reading Office located at 500 Chestnut Street, West Reading, PA 19611 during normal business hours, or through the mail or drop box located in the parking lot. For a list of Tax Collector sitting hours please click here.
What are the top 10 things to recycle in your home?
Recycling in your home isn’t restricted to the kitchen! Do your part in every room of the house.
- Newspaper
- Tissue box
- Magazine
- Shampoo bottles (some recycled plastics become car parts, reusable kitchenware and more)
- Soap boxes
- Toilet paper roll
- Food boxes
- Food cans (steel is continuously recyclable. When recycled it can become a bike, a bridge or back to a can again!)
- Milk jug
- Soda cans (today’s aluminum cans have about 68% recycled content)
- EXTRA CREDIT: Plastic bags and wrap – Recyclable yes, just not in your curbside bin. Take to a retailer near you.
The average American generates 4.4 pounds of trash and recyclables per day that adds up to 250 million tons per year in the U.S.
Who do I call if my trash or recycling is not picked up?
Please contact the Administration Office at 610-374-8273 extension 221.
Who do I call about school tax questions?
Where can I review a copy of the Borough's Budget?
Copies of the budget can be viewed here or at the Borough Hall Office, 500 Chestnut Street, West Reading, PA 19611.
What are the major sources of revenue for the budget?
Real Estate Taxes, Earned Income Tax, Business Privilege Tax, Real Estate Transer Tax and Cable Franchise Fees are among the higher sources of revenue.
When are trash and recyclables collected?
Real Estate Taxes, Earned Income Tax, Business Privilege Tax, Real Estate Transer Tax and Cable Franchise Fees are among the higher sources of revenue.
Code Enforcement
Where exactly is my property line?
Absent physically apparent monuments or property corner pins, the Borough cannot independently verify property lines on behalf of private property owners. Property owners are encouraged to engage a Professional Land Surveyor to prepare a site plan and physically set corner markers. This information is useful for locating potential property improvements such as fences and garages, laying out additions to the primary structure, and to satisfy property line disputes, if necessary.
Why does the Borough need to inspect the home I'm selling?
Anyone selling a property in the Borough is responsible to certify that there are no uncorrected violations of any housing, building, zoning, and safety or fire codes. The Borough performs an inspection and records any apparent violations. It is required that all violations be corrected prior to settlement, or the responsibility to correct said violations may be transferred to the buyer, who will have time to complete the work following the sale of the property.
Am I responsible for maintaining the alley behind my house?
Yes. Typically, the property owners on each side of an alley are responsible to maintain to the center of the alley for the width of each respective property. This includes grass, weeds, trash, etc., that may be found in the alley, regardless of how it ended up there. Weeds on the other side of your fence along the alley are still part of your property, and therefore your responsibility to trim and/or spray.
Do I need a permit for...?
Any work beyond a basic repair or a non-structural alteration may require a building permit issued by the Borough’s Building Code Official for both residential and commercial properties. The best course of action is to contact the Code Department at 610-374-8273 extension 238 and ask if a permit is required for your project. Be prepared to provide a detailed scope of work for the project and identify the property as residential or commercial. Change in use may require zoning approval.
I want to plant a tree on my property, are there any restrictions?
Trees and shrubs are not permitted to be located within the road right-of-way of any public street. The setback distance from the edge of the road varies between 8 and 15 feet depending on what road your property fronts. Trees and shrubs are not permitted within sight triangles of road intersections. Trees and large shrubs are also not permitted within sanitary sewer, storm sewer and some other utility easements. It is important to keep trees trimmed along public streets. Borough Ordinance requires trees to have a minimum clearance of 8 feet above sidewalks and 16 feet above the paved portion of the street. It is also not a good idea to plant trees near the sewer lateral to your home because the roots could work their way down into the lateral and cause a sewer backup.
Prior to digging a PA One Call must be placed to allow the underground utilities to be marked.
I'm going to replace the windows on my house, do I need a permit for that?
If you are simply taking out the old windows and replacing them with windows of the same exact size and location, than no, a permit is not required. If you plan on taking out a 3 foot wide window and replacing that with a 6 foot wide double window, then yes a permit would be required because you are making structural changes. The new wider opening has to be properly framed out with the correct size header in order to support the loads of the larger opening. Please complete a Building Permit application describing in detail the work to be done, including window and header dimensions.
Do I need a permit for a paver patio?
Yes, a Zoning Permit is required to be submitted prior to the start of your project. In order to calculate the amount of impervious coverage for your property a drawing of a bird’s eye view is needed with measurements of everything that exists (i.e. house, sidewalk, driveway, patio, deck, grass/flower beds, etc.). Also, side and rear yard setbacks must be maintained, which vary by Zoning District.
Do I need a permit for a shed?
Yes, a Zoning Application is required to be submitted prior to the start of your project. In order to calculate the amount of impervious coverage for your property a drawing of a bird’s eye view is needed with measurements of everything that exists (i.e. house, sidewalk, driveway, patio, deck, grass/flower beds, etc.). Also, side and rear yard setbacks must be maintained, which vary by Zoning District.
Can I report a sidewalk that has not been cleared of snow?
Yes, but please keep in mind that businesses have 24 hours to clear their sidewalk and, residents have 36 hours to clear their sidewalk after the storm ends. Click here for further information.
How do I report a broken/uneven/cracked sidewalk?
Homeowners are responsible to fix and repair the sidewalk on their property. To file a complaint with the Code Department please submit a Property Maintenance Complaint form.
My kids want a pool, what do I need to know before I buy one?
Pools with the ability to hold more than 24 inches of water require Building and Zoning approval. Please visit § 455-118 Swimming pools for further information regarding placement, fencing requirements, filtering requirements, etc.
My neighbor's grass is 2' tall, what can be done?
We ask that you fill out a written Property Maintenance Complaint Form listing the property in question. The Borough enforces grass and weeds on a property that shall not exceed 10 inches in height. Upon receipt of the complaint form and verification of the violation, the Borough will issue a Notice of Violation requesting the violation to be corrected within 3 days of receiving the notice. After the 3rd day if the grass/weeds have not been cut, the Borough will contract for the work to be completed. The cost for these services will be billed to the owner of the propety. Failure to pay for these services would result in a lien being placed against the real-estate.
I need to replace my curb and/or sidewalk, what do I need to do?
A Building Application is required, describe in detail the work to be performed including sidewalk and curb dimensions. For specifications please see Attachment 1 – Sidewalk curb and driveway drawings.
I want to finish my basement, what do I need to do?
A Building Application and basement layout plan is required. Please be advised that basements now require a form of emergency egress that communicates directly to the outdoors. If the basement is not equipped with a walkout door, a bilco door, or a window well, an egress will have to be installed.
Do I need a permit for a fence?
Yes, a Zoning Application is required to be submitted prior to starting your project. Please visit the section of the Code of Ordinances pertaining to Buffer Strips for futher information.
What if a tree caused damage to the sidewalk?
Because of the value placed on larger trees, damage to sidewalks and curbs should be repaired in lieu of removing established trees. Sidewalk grinding or ramping can remove a trip hazard. For severe lifting, the sidewalk must be removed and relaid, preferably curving around large roots. Root pruning before repouring can minimize changes of a reoccurrence. Most concrete contractors are not root pruning experts and can make a tree unsafe. Contact the Code Enforcement Department to make arrangements for the Public Works Department to safely trim roots, at no charge to the home owner.
Tax Collector
What is the maximum real estate tax rate?
The maximum rate, according to Section 1302 (a) of the Borough Code, is 30 mills. However, the borough can levy an additional five mills, through court order, for specific purposes, such as purchasing fire equipment, paying interest on debt, or caring for shade trees.
I disagree with my property’s assessed value. Who do I call?
Berks County Assessment Office (610) 478-6262 or Email: assessment@countyofberks.com
Police Department
Where do you pay tickets?
Parking tickets can be paid at the West Reading Police Department between the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday thru Friday. Also, parking tickets may now be paid online by going to the link shown below:
www.tocite.net/WestReadingPD/searchticket/index/parkingtickets
Please Note: Only parking ticket #’s that start with “PV” can be paid through this link. There is an additional fee of $1.98 to pay your parking ticket online.
Recreation
Who do I contact to report pool or playground maintenance?
Please call the Department immediately at 610-374-8273 extension 243.
Who do I call to reserve the Bicentennial House or Pavilion?
Call 610-374-8273 extension 243 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where can I find more information about recreation programs?
Public Works
How do I report a streetlight issue?
Please report Borough streetlight issues to Borough Hall. Providing the location, address and pole number of the light will help field personnel to make repairs. If you discover a downed streetlight pole, exposed electrical wires or any other hazardous situation please contact the Police Department at 610-373-0111. To report a streetlight that is either on during the day or not on at night, please contact Borough Hall at 610-374-8273 or you may submit a trouble ticket directly to Met-Ed through their online Report a Problem portal.
Can I have my street swept?
The street sweeper is out from April through December. Click here for further information.
When will the alley behind my house be plowed?
The Borough of West Reading is not responsible for maintenance of alleys.
When will my street be plowed/cindered?
See the Snow Removal page.
The catch basin in from of my house is overflowing. Can it be cleaned out?
Contact the Public Works Department at 610-374-8605.
Who should I contact concerning potholes or uneven pavement?
Contact PennDOT for Penn Avenue issues at 1-800-FIXROAD. Borough road repair concerns should be forwarded to the Public Works Department at 610-374-8605.
What should I do when I have a sewer back-up?
At any time, day or night when a sewer backup occurs at your home or business your first call should be to the Borough. As part of your sewer maintenance fee, the Public Works Department will plunge the sewer trap located near your home/business in an effort to remove the clog, which possibly will negate the need to hire a plumber. During normal business hours, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, contact Borough Hall at (610) 374-8273, ext. 221. Outside of normal business hours contact the non-emergency Police line at (610) 373-0111 to dispatch a member of the Public Works Department to your location.
The Borough maintains the sewer system from the curb to the main. The trap into the house is the property owners responsibility. Sewer blockages from the house to the curb are the homeowner’s responsibility. It is very important not to flush anything other than toilet paper. Small toys, articles of clothing, feminine items, etc. usually result in sewer blockages.
Does the Borough remove Christmas Trees?
Christmas Trees are collected by the Public Works staff beginning the day after Christmas and generally continuing through the end of January. Trees must be placed within the planting strip area for collection. Please remember to remove all lights, ornaments and stand prior to placing out for collection.
Fire Department
Can leaves and grass clippings be burned in the Borough?
No.
How do I dispose of hazardous materials?
The County has two days set aside each year for the disposal of hazardous materials. Click here for dates, times and places or call the Berks County Solid Waste Authority at 610-478-6362 or email www.co.berks.pa.us/swa.
We would like to tour the Fire Station, who should we contact?
Contact the Fire Chief at 610-372-9621 extension 100.
How can I support my local fire department?
By volunteering, we have non-firefighting personnel who assist at fires. Contact the Fire Chief for further information at 610-372-9621 extension 100.
What are the Firefighter qualifications?
Anyone 16 years of age or older is encouraged and invited to join the Fire Department and become a Firefighter. Firefighters must complete rigorous training prior to participation in firefighting activites. Anyone interested in obtaining more details can contact the Fire Station or the Fire Chief at 610-372-9621 extension 100.
Borough Council
How do I make a presentation to Council?
Council meeting agendas are available on the Monday prior to the meeting.
Why is the public able to comment at any public meeting?
The PA Sunshine Act gives the public the right to comment on issues “that are or may be before the board”. This means that boroughs, authorities, and similar agencies must have a reasonable opportunity for residents and/or taxpayers to comment on an issue before a decision takes place.
Per Resolution 2016-1, a period of public comment is held at each meeting for residents and taxpayers of the Borough in accordance with the following guidelines:
The Borough Council President presides over the public comment period of Borough Council Meetings and may within their discretion:
- Require identification of such person(s); and
- Limit the amount of time each person wishing to comment may speak on their own to five minutes, an individually allotted time of which is non-transferable except as set forth herein; and
- Direct questions to the appropriate person to respond however no response shall be required; and
- Decline to permit questions or comments deemed irrelevant to the topic or presented in a manner inconsistent with the procedures; and
- Rule out of order any scandalous, impertinent and redundant, and argumentative comments or any other comment made for the discernible purpose of which is to disrupt or hinder the conduct of the business of the meeting; and
- Order removed any such person(s) violating the provisions of section 5 above following proper verbal warning.
The time allocated for the public comment period at each meeting shall remain at five minutes for each speaker unless modified at the discretion of Borough Council upon good cause shown, including situations in which persons desiring to speak comprise a group of three or more, in which case one person shall be appointed as a spokesperson for such group and such spokesperson shall be allotted up to a maximum of ten minutes to offer comment.
In the event there is insufficient time for public comment at a meeting, Borough Council may, at its discretion, defer the public comment period to a meeting held in advance of the next regular or special meeting or until the next regular meeting.
The use of audio recording devices, video cameras and video cameras with audio recording is permitted at public meeting of the Borough under the following guidelines:
- The use of any recording device shall occur in a manner which shall not interrupt nor interfere with the conduct of business by Borough Council.
- Recording devices shall be used from the person’s seat in the audience or from the back of the room, however no such recording devices shall be placed upon Borough Council’s table.
- At the commencement of any meeting, any person wishing to record the meeting shall announce to Borough Council and to the members of the public in attendance that they intend to record the meeting.
- Use of any recording devices shall be accomplished in such a manner as to not interfere with any other members of the public’s ability to fully participate in the meeting.
- Use of video equipment shall occur from the back or side of the room and shall not be located in front of other members of the public so as not to interfere with the view of other members of the public.
- Persons using audio and/or video recording devices are solely responsible for complying with all applicable state, federal and local laws and are solely responsible for any loss, destruction or theft of their recording equipment and/or video equipment.
The use of cell phones, radios and other two-way communication devices are prohibited during any public meeting with the exception of essential personnel acting in their official capacity. Members of Council, Mayor, staff and the general public must turn off or silence these devices during any public meeting and must step out of the meeting room before using such a device.
As part of the official record (minutes) all citizens, taxpayers and attendees are requested to print their name and location on an official “Sign-In Sheet” that is provided prior to each meeting. At the discretion of the Borough Council President, those person(s) who have failed or refused to sign-in may be passed over during the public comment period of the meeting proceedings and requested to comply with this policy regulation or exit the meeting altogether. It will be made clear in those instances that the individual has waived their right to address Borough Council by their failure to comply with the Borough’s request.
Utility Information
Can I pay my utility bill with a credit card?
An online payment option is available to remit payment of utility bills. If you have an internet connection and an e-mail address, you may remit payment of your utility bill online.
Please visit: www.xpressbillpay.com
Should you have any questions regarding your Xpress Bill Pay account, setting up Auto Pay or signing up, please contact Xpress Bill Pay directly at 800-766-2350 or email support@xpressbillpay.com. Phone support is available weekdays 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Mountain Time), closed weekends and holidays.
Please Note:
- This feature is currently not available for real estate tax payments, nor permit or recreation fees.
- Xpress Bill Pay does not charge fees for online utility payments and payments are received same day. Use of alternate payment sites may incur fees and delay of processing.
CodeRED Notification
Why did CodeRED cut off its message on my answering machine?
CodeRED will not leave a message on an answering device. There are many different brands and types of capturing devices for leaving a message. Occasionally something about the answering device or the beep of the device causes the system to think it has reached a live person and begins playing the message. When the message is left, it only leaves part of the message. You may call 866-419-5000 to receive the entire message.
If the call rings once and hangs up and you have a ring back tone that plays a song the system will interpret this as an operator intercept and hang up.