From City of Reading
Mayor Eddie Morán has declared a Snow Emergency in the City of Reading due to the impending significant snowfall and hazardous winter weather conditions. Residents and City service providers should take immediate steps to prepare for inclement and potentially dangerous conditions. Updates will be provided through City Hall, local media, and the City’s official social media channels.
Free parking during Snow Emergency
All City-owned parking garages will be open and available for public use from Saturday, Jan. 24, at 12 p.m., through Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 7 a.m. This measure is intended to reduce on-street parking, allowing Public Works crews to safely and efficiently clear the streets. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of garage parking during this period.
Important note: This applies to parking garages only; surface parking lots are not included. The 6th & Cherry parking lot will be reserved exclusively for approved emergency vehicles and will not be open to the public during the storm to support emergency response operations.
Snow Emergency details
A Snow Emergency declaration prioritizes safety and ensures that City crews can efficiently clear roadways. The City’s Snow Emergency Routes will be cleared first, as these streets provide key corridors for traffic, access to schools, hospitals, bus routes, and fire stations. Once these priority routes are clear, snow removal will continue on local streets.
Priority Snow Emergency routes
- North & South 5th Street
- Lancaster Avenue
- Walnut Street
- Washington Street (including 2nd Street from Washington to Penn Streets)
- Penn Street
- Franklin Street
- North 13th Street
- Perkiomen Avenue
- Schuylkill Avenue
- Spring Street
- Front Street (Penn Street to Cathedral)
- Eleventh Street (Franklin to Walnut Streets)
- Kenhorst Boulevard
- Museum Road
Important note: Vehicles left on Snow Emergency routes may be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.
City service impacts
Codes Office – Property Maintenance Division
Due to the anticipated snow event throughout the weekend, the City of Reading Codes Office – Property Maintenance Division will be canceling all scheduled inspections for Monday, Jan. 26. Depending on storm impacts and resulting conditions, Tuesday inspections may also be affected. Additional updates will be shared as more information becomes available.
Trash, recycling, and street sweeping
Trash and recycling services are canceled for Monday, Jan. 26, due to winter weather. All trash and recycling pickups will be delayed by one day. Street sweeping remains suspended until further notice
Friendly reminder: Street sweepers cannot pick up snow, as snow may damage the inside of the sweeper hopper or the sweeper itself.
City Hall closed
City Hall will be closed on Monday, Jan. 26.
City Council meeting postponed
The Reading City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m., has been postponed to Monday, Feb. 2, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in Council Chambers at City Hall and via Zoom. The Zoom link will be posted with the agenda on the City website by Friday, Jan. 23. The Committee of the Whole meeting scheduled for Monday, Jan. 26, at 5 p.m., has been canceled. Agendas for the Feb. 2 meetings will be posted by Friday, Jan. 30.
Mayor Morán’s statement
“We are committed to keeping Reading safe during this winter storm. Check in on your neighbors, move your vehicles off priority routes, and do your part to help our crews keep the streets clear,” said Mayor Eddie Morán.
Residents are urged to stay informed through local media and official City channels for real-time updates on snow removal and public safety information.
