This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "City of Reading Zoning Ordinance of 2010," as amended.

The intent of this chapter is to establish a precise set of policies and regulations for the use of land and structures in the City of Reading (hereinafter referred to as the "City"). This chapter is enacted to promote and to protect the public health, safety, comfort, convenience, and general welfare of the people in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as reenacted and amended, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq., and to implement and foster policies that are generally consistent with the adopted City of Reading Comprehensive Plan.

The purposes of this chapter are:

   A.   To protect the established character and the social and economic well-being of both private and public property.

   B.   To promote, in the public interest, the utilization of land for the purposes for which it is most appropriate.

   C.   To prevent loss from fire, panic or other danger.

   D.   To provide adequate light and air.

   E.   To provide convenience of access.

   F.   To prevent overcrowding of land and buildings.

   G.   To avoid undue concentration of population.

   H.   To lessen and, where possible, to prevent traffic congestion on public streets and highways.

   I.   To preserve and enhance the value of buildings and land.

   J.   To preserve and enhance the visual character and natural beauty of the City.

   K.   To minimize the impact incompatible uses have on individual neighborhood character.

   L.   To carry out goals, policies and recommendations in the Berks County Comprehensive Plan.

   M.   To serve the authorized purposes for zoning regulations as provided in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.

   N.   To serve the purposes provided for each zoning district.

   O.   To carry out the purposes of the Pennsylvania Floodplain Management Act, as amended, 32 P.S. § 679.101 et seq.

   P.   To carry out the City of Reading and Berks County Comprehensive Plans.

The provisions of this chapter shall be construed to be the minimum requirements necessary to serve the community development objectives of the City of Reading. Where the provisions of this chapter impose greater restrictions upon use or development or higher standards regarding a specific matter than those of any statute, ordinance or regulation, the provisions of this chapter shall govern, except where the provisions of this chapter do not have jurisdiction. Where the provisions of any statute, other ordinance or regulation impose greater restrictions upon use or development or higher standards than those enumerated in this chapter, the provisions of such statute, ordinance or regulation shall govern.

[Amended 12-16-2013 by Ord. No. 83-2013]

See § 600-1202L, Special exceptions, parks, playgrounds and public buildings.

If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this chapter or amendment thereto is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, unenforceable or invalid, such decision shall not affect the remaining portions of the chapter. The Reading City Council (hereinafter referred to as "City Council") hereby declares that it would have passed this chapter and each remaining section and subsection and amendment thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more of its sections, subsections, clauses, phrases or amendments may be found to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid.

Provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq., shall apply. As of the enactment date of this chapter, such provisions included §§ 609.1 and 609.2 of such Code, 53 P.S. §§ 10609.1 and 10609.2.

All previous zoning ordinances or parts of zoning ordinances of the City of Reading are hereby expressly repealed in their entirety.

[Amended 12-16-2013 by Ord. No. 83-2013]

See § 600-1203H, Conditional use.