Reading City Council Extended Preservation Staff Authority

The local council authorized staff to process historic property certificates while the city rewrites its district ordinance.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in City Hall

Reading City Council Extended Preservation Staff Authority

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Do you trust local government staff to manage historic property preservation without an independent citizen board?

Reading City Council voted on October 12, 2026, to allow preservation staff to issue certificates of appropriateness for six months. This measure addresses the current lack of a Historical Architectural Review Board following the mass resignation of its members in February 2026.

Why it matters

The city currently lacks an active review board to conduct public hearings on building exterior alterations within its five historic districts. City officials are using this time to rewrite local historic district ordinances to ensure they comply with state law.

The council granted staff the power to issue certificates for six months covering the city's five historic districts. This follows an earlier 180-day authorization established in April 2026.

The players

Reading City Council

The local governing body of Reading, Pennsylvania, responsible for legislative decisions and city ordinances.

The details

Property owners seeking exterior alterations must apply to the city's preservation staff while the board vacancy persists. The city is currently operating without a community development director or historic preservation officer, both of whom resigned along with the review board members.

February 2026: All members of the Historical Architectural Review Board resigned.
April 2026: Council authorized staff to issue certificates for 180 days.
October 12, 2026: City Council voted to extend the staff processing authority.
End of October 2026: The previous staff authorization is set to expire.

Political Context

Opposition or critics of current city management have expressed concerns over the lack of a functioning Historical Architectural Review Board. The absence of this body complicates adherence to Pennsylvania state historic district law, necessitating this temporary legislative stopgap.

Residents living in one of the five historic districts can continue to apply for building permits during the board vacancy. This ensures property owners can still proceed with exterior alterations while the city reformulates its municipal code.

The takeaway

The city is temporarily bypassing its standard public hearing process to keep development moving in historic areas. Property owners should verify their current district requirements with the preservation office before starting any exterior projects.