Bristol Township, PA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

Chapter 68 of the Bristol Township Code is the Township's floodplain chapter, but its permit and inspection rules reach construction and development anywhere in the Township. Section 68-3 makes it unlawful to undertake any construction or development without a permit from the Floodplain Administrator, and § 68-8 repeats that a permit is required before work starts in any area of the Township. Minor repairs to existing buildings or structures are exempt under § 68-3(B).

The Floodplain Administrator is the Director of Building, Planning and Development (§ 68-7). That official can delegate duties to qualified technical personnel, plan examiners and inspectors, or contract with another agency, and the Township Manager steps in if the post is vacant. Before issuing a permit, § 68-9 requires a check that the work conforms to all other codes and ordinances and that required state and federal permits are in hand. For existing structures the repair history is reviewed first.

The inspection duty sits in § 68-9(D): during construction the Administrator or another authorized official inspects the premises to confirm the work follows the permit application and every applicable municipal law, with as many inspections during and on completion of the work as are necessary. Section 68-9(E) allows entry into any building, structure, premises or development in the identified floodplain area at any reasonable hour on presentation of proper credentials. Records of permitting, inspection and enforcement are kept in perpetuity (§ 68-9(G)).

A placard showing the permit number and issue date, signed by the Administrator, must be displayed on the premises while construction is in progress (§ 68-14). Work must begin within 180 days of issuance and finish within 12 months, or the permit expires unless the Administrator grants a written extension (§ 68-15). No change to the application or plans is allowed without written consent (§ 68-13).

Separately, Chapter 84 has the Township elect to administer and enforce the state Code Act (Act 45 of 1999). Under § 84-3, Township Council decides by resolution whether enforcement runs through a designated employee, third-party agencies, other municipalities or the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for structures other than one-family or two-family dwellings. Section 84-9 leaves fees to Council, and § 84-4 sets up a Board of Appeals.