Berks County’s official Municipalities page lists the county’s townships and boroughs plus the City of Reading, from Albany Township to Wyomissing Borough, and each runs its own permits. By the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 estimates the most populous are Reading (95832), Spring Township (28873), Exeter Township (26069) and Muhlenberg Township (22504).
This guide covers those four municipalities and the county planning, conservation district, DEP and PennDOT offices.
What requires a building permit in Berks County?
Berks County issues no building permits: under Pennsylvania’s Construction Code Act counties are not municipalities. Each municipality administers the statewide Uniform Construction Code itself or through a certified third-party agency, so what needs a permit, what it costs and how it is filed depend on the municipality.
Earth disturbance adds its own triggers under the Berks County Conservation District’s Chapter 102 program: a written E&S plan for 5,000 square feet and an NPDES permit for one or more acres. In Muhlenberg Township most projects start with a Zoning Permit.
Pennsylvania enforces one statewide Uniform Construction Code under Act 45 of 1999, based since January 1, 2026 on the 2021 ICC codes and administered by most municipalities themselves or through certified third-party agencies; counties issue no building permits. Building codes in Pennsylvania
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Get a free quote →Who handles permitting in Berks County?
The City of Reading and each township and borough issue their own permits. The Berks County Planning Commission (400 E. Wyomissing Ave. Suite D, Mohnton, PA 19540; 610-478-6300; Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm) endorses subdivision and land development plans and asks applicants to call before plan endorsement; zoning questions go to the borough, township or city.
| Municipality | Office | Contact and hours |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | Building and Trades division, room 3-10, City Hall, 815 Washington Street | 1-877-PAREADING; Mon-Fri 8:00am to 4:00pm |
| Spring Township | Building & Codes, 2850 Windmill Road, Sinking Spring | 610-678-5393; Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm |
| Exeter Township | Engineering Department (Building/Zoning/Engineering), Township Building, 4975 DeMoss Road, Reading | 610-779-5702; M-F 8-4:30 |
| Muhlenberg Township | Engineering, Codes & Zoning, 210 George Street, Reading | 610-929-4727; Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Local rules in the largest Berks County municipalities
Reading
The Building and Trades division issues building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits; permits and scheduling are also available online through Reading Self-Serve. A permit is void if work does not start within 180 days of issuance.
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The Township does not accept applications by email: submit in person, by mail or by fax, with three sets of construction drawings for a building permit. The Building Code Official is also the Zoning Officer and Sewage Enforcement Officer, and a third-party agency does commercial plan review and inspections.
Exeter Township
Great Valley Consultants serves as Building & Fire Code Official, and payment is due at submission.
Muhlenberg Township
Applications are dropped off at the Township office or emailed to permits@muhlenbergtwp.com. Published review times are about 1 week for zoning and 2–3 weeks for building.
Berks County permit costs and fees
Each municipality sets its own fees. Exeter Township’s 2026 fee schedule charges residential new construction $.60 per sq. ft. of finished space ($250.00 minimum) and $125.00 for a failed inspection or re-inspection; permits issued after construction has begun cost double.
Fees are set by the municipality or its third-party agency, plus the flat $4.50 state Uniform Construction Code fee on each permit. Permit fees in Pennsylvania
Trade permits in Berks County
Trade licensing is local. Reading issues its own electrical, plumbing and mechanical trade licenses, and contract work there must be done by a contractor holding a City of Reading business privilege license and contractor’s license. Exeter Township issues its own Journeyman and Master plumbing licenses, and Muhlenberg Township requires contractors to have a Muhlenberg Trade License on file.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Trade work follows the Uniform Construction Code; electrical, plumbing and HVAC licences are issued locally where they exist, not by the state. Trade permits in Pennsylvania
How to get a building permit in Berks County
The city, township or borough where the parcel is issues the permit.
In Muhlenberg Township most projects start with a Zoning Permit.
Reading online through Reading Self-Serve; Spring Township in person, by mail or by fax; Muhlenberg by drop-off or email.
Exeter Township takes payment at submission.
Call the Berks County Planning Commission before plan endorsement.
A Pennsylvania permit lapses if work does not start within 180 days or stops for 180 days, and lasts no more than 5 years; residential applications must be decided within 15 business days. Permit validity in Pennsylvania
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Get a free quote →Inspections in Berks County
Reading takes scheduling online through Reading Self-Serve. Muhlenberg Township inspections need about 48 hours’ notice. In Spring Township, commercial inspections are done by a third-party agency.
Erosion control and state offices for Berks County
The Berks County Conservation District (1238 County Welfare Road, Suite 200, Leesport, PA 19533; 610-372-4657) handles Chapter 102 erosion control. PA DEP’s Southcentral Regional Office (909 Elmerton Ave, Harrisburg, PA 17110; 717-705-4700; 8am–4pm) serves the county, and PennDOT District 5 (1002 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101; 610-871-4106; 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday) is responsible for its state-maintained roads.
Official Berks County permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →- Berks County municipalities
- Berks County Planning Commission
- Berks County Conservation District permits
- Reading Building and Trades
- Spring Township permits
- Exeter Township Building/Zoning/Engineering
- Muhlenberg Township permitting guide
- PA DEP Southcentral Regional Office
Frequently asked questions
Does Berks County issue building permits?
No. The City of Reading and each township and borough run their own permits.
Can I email a permit application to Spring Township?
No. Spring Township takes applications in person, by mail or by fax.
Who reviews plans in Exeter Township?
Great Valley Consultants serves as the Township’s Building & Fire Code Official.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
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- Confirm which municipality, and which code official or third-party agency, handles the parcel
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Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Pennsylvania. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.
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More Pennsylvania permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Berks County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.