Berks County Local Government Guide

Anchored by the city of Reading, Berks County is a diverse region made up of townships, boroughs, and small communities. Each, with its own local government, identity, and story. Whether you’re looking for municipal services, community events or discovering the best places to live, work, and explore, this guide makes it easy to navigate Berks County at the local level.

From the scenic farmland landscapes tied to Pennsylvania Dutch Country to growing suburban hubs and quiet rural townships, every municipality plays a role in what makes Berks County Unique.

Berks County Government

Berks County operates under a structured county government system that provides essential services, supports local municipalities, and ensures effective administration across the region. With its county seat in Reading, Berks County serves as a central hub for governance, public safety, and community development in southeastern Pennsylvania.

County Government Structure
Berks County is governed by a Board of Commissioners, consisting of three elected officials who serve as both the executive and legislative authority. These commissioners are responsible for setting policy, approving the county budget, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of county departments. This system ensures both leadership accountability and representation of diverse political perspectives.

Elected Row Officers
Supporting the commissioners are independently elected row officers, including the Sheriff, District Attorney, Controller, Coroner, Treasurer, Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, Clerk of Courts, and Prothonotary. Each office plays a specialized role in maintaining public records, managing finances, and upholding law and order.

Judicial System
The county’s court system is part of Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System and is anchored by the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County. This court handles major civil and criminal cases, family law matters, and other legal proceedings. Local magisterial district courts provide accessible, community-level judicial services. Court cases can be searched on the PA justice portal. Click Case Search to open in a new window.

County Services and Departments
Berks County government manages a wide range of services that impact residents and businesses, including:
Election Services
Public safety and emergency management
Health and human services
Parks, recreation, and open space
Planning, zoning coordination, and economic development
Tax assessment, records, and administrative services
These departments work together to maintain quality of life, support economic growth, and ensure responsible stewardship of public resources.

Government Hierarchy and Coordination
The structure of Berks County government is designed for efficiency and accountability:
County Commissioners – Central governing authority
Row Officers – Independently elected administrative officials
Judicial System – County courts and legal framework
County Departments – Service delivery and operations
Municipal Governments – Local jurisdictions within the county
This layered system allows Berks County to balance centralized leadership with strong local governance.

Whether you are a resident, business owner, or visitor, understanding how Berks County government operates can help you better access services, engage with local officials, and navigate municipal resources. Use this page as a starting point to explore both county-level operations and the unique communities that make up Berks County.

Click the button below to go to the Pennsylvania State Department of Community and Economic Development (PA DCED) website (in a new browser window) to use their municipality look-up tool by typing in an address. It will tell you what municipality you live in as well as what your tax rates are and who your tax collector is.