Bristol Township, PA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Two parts of the Bristol Township Code control a backyard flock. Section 57-11 C, in Chapter 57 adopted as Ord. No. 19-86, makes it unlawful for any person to keep or maintain cattle, swine, sheep, goats or fowl in the Township except at places zoned and designated as proper for such animals, subject to the prior approval of the Township official. Horses are the exception: the section does not prohibit keeping horses in a residentially zoned district, provided the owner complies with the § 57-10 care and housing standards.

The zoning side is Use D24, Agriculture, in § 205-16. It covers keeping livestock and poultry and the buildings that go with it. The minimum site area is two acres. Any building or structure used for keeping or raising bees, livestock or poultry must sit not less than 75 feet from any street line or property line. Livestock and poultry are not permitted to run at large, and a fenced-in area for them must be provided, not less than 100 feet from a dwelling other than the owner's. The keeping or raising is limited to two head of livestock and 100 fowl per one acre, and the raising of ferrets and garbage-fed pigs is not permitted. The residence district use lists in §§ 205-22, 205-25 and 205-28 (R-1, R-2 and R-3) include D24 Agriculture.

Because the minimum site area is two acres, a lot below that size does not meet the D24 standard. Fowl are named alongside cattle, swine, sheep and goats in § 57-11 C, so a few backyard hens fall under the same rule as a barn animal.

The housing standards in § 57-10 A(3)(c) also apply: no cages for racing pigeons or any type of animal shelter can sit within six feet of any property line, and shelters cannot be conspicuously visible from the street and must be screened from adjoining residents' view. Under § 57-9 an owner whose animal or fowl dies must forthwith have the body cremated, buried or otherwise disposed of in a manner acceptable to the Township official, and after 48 hours of written notice the Township can do it at the owner's expense.