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

The height cap in Bristol Township comes from Chapter 205, the zoning chapter, and it repeats district by district. R-1 (§ 205-23), R-2 (§ 205-26), R-3 (§ 205-29) and R-4 (§ 205-32) each print Maximum height: 35 feet. The R-4 Two-Family Dwelling rule in § 205-33 and the Single-Family Attached Dwelling (townhouse) rule in § 205-34 print the same 35 feet. The figure sits in the same list as lot area, lot width, building area and yard minimums, so a plan that meets the yards still has to meet the height line.

Section 205-135 explains why the limit exists: height is regulated to prevent loss of life or excessive property damage through the inability of fire equipment to reach upper stories or roofs. It then bars any building from exceeding the maximum heights set for the zoning district, with one list of exceptions: church spires, belfries, silos, water towers, solar energy systems, antennas, television towers, masts, aerials, flagpoles, and other structures necessary for providing water, electricity, heat, cooling, radio or similar facilities. Each exempt structure must not be used for human occupancy and must be set back 1.5 times its height, measured from ground level to the top of the structure, from any property line. A house, garage or addition does not fit that list, so the district number applies in full.

Fences have their own height rules in § 205-134: no more than six feet in a rear or side yard, and no more than four feet in a front yard for a residential use. The clear-sight triangle in § 205-128 limits vegetation and visual obstructions to two feet above street grade where a private accessway meets a public road. An owner who cannot meet a height or other dimensional requirement can ask the Zoning Hearing Board for a variance under § 205-186, which requires proof of unnecessary hardship tied to the land itself.