Bristol, PA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)

Section 27-403 sets the height rule for the whole Bristol Borough zoning chapter, and each district section supplies the number. The R-1 Residential District table in Section 27-305, Subsection 5, prints a Maximum Building Height of 35 feet for a Single-Family Detached Dwelling, for a Semi-Detached Dwelling (Twin) and for Any Other Use. Other districts carry their own Maximum Building Height column in their own sections, so the district comes first when checking a lot.

Section 27-403, Subsection 1, lists what falls outside the district standard, if otherwise indicated in the chapter: water towers, church spires, belfries, solar energy collectors and the equipment used to mount or operate them, windmills, chimneys, cupolas and other appurtenances required above the roof level and not intended for human occupancy. The exemption has a condition: these structures cannot diminish the solar access of other properties. Subsection 2 removes Use 5A Telecommunications Facilities from the district height limits and sends them to the regulations in Part 3 of the chapter.

Separate caps apply to some accessory items. A freestanding residential accessory structure such as a garage or storage shed cannot exceed 15 feet in height under Section 27-320, Subsection 7P(3)(a), and a windmill cannot exceed 55 feet in height under Subsection 7U(2). Anyone building or enlarging needs a zoning permit from the Zoning Officer under Section 27-802. A request to exceed a height limit goes to the Zoning Hearing Board as a variance after a hearing.