Building Setbacks & Zoning in Bristol, PA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Bristol, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
In the R-1 Residential District in Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania, a house needs a 10 foot front yard, side yards totaling 20 feet with at least 5 feet on one side, and a 25 foot rear yard. Any other use needs 20 feet in front, 10 feet at each side and 25 feet in the rear.
Bristol Borough R-1 Yard Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsBristol Borough Code § 27-305
6. Minimum Yard Requirements. Each of the following minimum yard requirements shall apply to each use in the R-1 Residential District, except as specifically provided for in this chapter: Principal Use Front Yard1, 2 (feet) Side Yard (feet) Rear Yard2 (feet) Single-Family Detached Dwelling 10 20 feet total with no less than 5 feet on one side 25 Semi-Detached Dwelling (Twin) 10 20 feet total wi...
Structure Height Limits
In Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania, no building can exceed the maximum building height printed in its zoning district, which is 35 feet for single-family detached dwellings, twins and any other use in the R-1 Residential District. Chimneys, spires, solar collectors and windmills are exempt from that standard but cannot diminish the solar access of other properties.
Bristol Borough PA Building Height Limits
Some RestrictionsBristol Borough Code § 27-403
1. No building shall exceed the maximum building height standard specified in the relevant district regulations of this chapter except, if otherwise indicated in this chapter, that such standard shall not apply to water towers, church spires, belfries, solar energy collectors (and equipment used for the mounting or operation of such collectors), windmills, chimneys, cupolas or other appurtenanc...
Lot Coverage Limits
In the R-1 Residential District in Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania, a single-family detached dwelling may cover 40 percent of its lot with buildings and 50 percent with impervious surface. Any other use is held to 30 percent building coverage and 40 percent impervious surface under § 27-305.
Bristol Borough R-1 Lot Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsBristol Borough Code § 27-305
5. Lot Area, Width, Building Coverage, and Height Regulations. Each of the following dimensional requirements shall apply to each use in the R-1 Residential District, except as specifically provided for in this chapter: Principal Use Minimum Lot Area1 (square feet) Minimum Lot Width2 (feet) Maximum Building Coverage (%) Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio (%) Maximum Building Height (feet) Single-...
Looking for Bucks County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bristol city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Bucks County →