Animal Ordinances in Bristol, PA (2026)
5 verified animal ordinances for Bristol, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania, pigs, hogs and swine are banned outright. Large animals must be housed at least 100 feet, and small animals including chickens at least 25 feet, from any dwelling or property line, under Chapter 2, Part 5 of the Bristol Borough Code.
Chickens and Livestock Rules in Bristol Borough, PA
Significant RestrictionsBristol Borough Code §§ 2-501, 2-502, 2-503
LARGE ANIMAL Any wild or domestic animal of the bovine, equine or sheep family. ... SMALL ANIMAL Any wild or domestic animal such as a rabbit, hare, guinea pig, rat, mouse, or chinchilla; and any wild or domestic fowl such as a chicken, turkey, goose, duck, or pigeon (excepting homing pigeons). ... It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any pigs, hogs or swine at any place within the Borou...
Dog Leash Laws
In Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania, a dog away from its owner's premises must be on a leash no longer than six feet, and an owner may never let a dog run at large. Chapter 2, Part 2 of the Bristol Borough Code sets fines of $100, then $300, then up to $1,000.
Dog Leash and At-Large Rules in Bristol Borough, PA
Some RestrictionsBristol Borough Code §§ 2-201, 2-202
RUNNING AT LARGE Being upon any public highway, street, alley, park, or any other public land, or upon property of another person other than the owner, and not being accompanied by or under the control of the owner or any other person having custody of said dog. UNDER REASONABLE CONTROL When not on the premises of the owner, the owner shall have the dog secured by means of a leash, not to excee...
Pet Limits
In Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania, no one may keep more than four cats per 500 square feet of lot area, with a six-month exception for a litter of kittens. The Bristol Borough Code sets no numeric dog limit but bars pet numbers that create a nuisance.
Pet Limits and Cat Numbers in Bristol Borough, PA
Some RestrictionsBristol Borough Code §§ 2-504, 2-603
1. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any household pet, except as provided in this section: A. If any such pet shall be kept in a dwelling owned or occupied by its owner, such owner shall be required to follow such procedures and practices, as to the number of such pets to be kept there, and as to sanitation, to insure that no public nuisance shall be created or maintained and no thre...
Cat Rules
In Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania, cat owners may not let a cat run at large, and no one may feed unmanaged or unkempt colonies of cats anywhere in the Borough. Chapter 2, Part 6 of the Bristol Borough Code lets the Animal Control Officer seize and impound cats.
Cat At-Large and Colony Feeding Rules in Bristol Borough, PA
Some RestrictionsBristol Borough Code §§ 2-601, 2-602, 2-604
RUNNING AT LARGE Being upon any public highway, street, alley, park or any other public land, or upon property of another person other than the owner, and not being accompanied by or under the control of the owner or any other person having custody of said cat. ... It shall be unlawful for the owner of any cat or cats to allow or permit such cat or cats to run at large in the Borough. It shall ...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania, an animal hospital needs a lot of at least 20,000 square feet for small animals and at least 40,000 square feet for large animals. Buildings housing animals sit at least 20 feet from all lot lines and must be soundproofed. The Zoning Code lists the use as a special exception in the HC-1 and HC-2 highway commercial districts.
Bristol Borough Animal Hospital Zoning Standards
Significant RestrictionsBristol Borough Code § 27-320, Subsection 3A
A. Animal Hospital. A building, structure, or area of land where animals are given medical care, other than the premises where such animals are normally kept. (1) A minimum lot size of at least 20,000 square feet shall be required for those animal hospitals treating small animals (e.g., cats, birds, exotic animals). A minimum lot size of at least 40,000 square feet shall be required for those a...
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