Environmental Rules in Bristol Township, PA (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Bristol Township, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
In Bristol Township, Bucks County, Chapter 173 requires regulated activities in the Delaware River South Watershed to submit a drainage plan to the Township, keeps natural watercourses flowing, bars roof drains from streets and sewers, and halts earth disturbance until the chapter is met. Violations carry fines up to $1,000 per violation.
Bristol Township Stormwater Management Ordinance
Significant RestrictionsBristol Township Code § 173-11
§ 173-11. Requirements applicable to all stormwater management systems. A. All regulated activities in Delaware River South Watershed that do not fall under the exemption criteria shown in § 173-24 shall submit a drainage plan consistent with the Delaware River South Watershed Stormwater Management Plan to the municipality for review. ... B. Stormwater drainage systems shall be provided in orde...
Erosion Control
In Bristol Township, Bucks County, regulated activities in the Delaware River South Watershed cannot start until the Township approves an erosion and sediment control plan. A DEP plan is required at 5,000 square feet of earth disturbance and an NPDES permit at one acre or more with a point source discharge, or five acres or more.
Bristol Township Erosion and Sediment Control Rules
Significant RestrictionsBristol Township Code § 173-20
§ 173-20. Erosion and sedimentation requirements. A. Whenever the vegetation and topography are to be disturbed, such activity must be in conformance with 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102, Erosion and Sediment Control, and in accordance with the Bucks County Conservation District. ... C. Regulated activities within the municipality shall not commence until approval by the municipality of an erosion and ...
Flood Zones
In Bristol Township, Bucks County, PA, Chapter 68 of the Township Code makes it unlawful to undertake any construction or development anywhere in the Township without a permit from the Floodplain Administrator. Floodway development is barred unless engineering shows no increase in flood levels, and violations are summary offenses with fines of $25 to $600.
Bristol Township Floodplain Development Rules
Significant RestrictionsBristol Township Code §§ 68-3, 68-19
A. It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, business or corporation to undertake, or cause to be undertaken, any construction or development anywhere within the Township of Bristol unless a permit has been obtained from the Floodplain Administrator. ... (1) Within any floodway area, no encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, or other development shall...
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
Bristol Township Code § 129-3 G bars running a stationary motor vehicle, or auxiliary equipment attached to it, for longer than five minutes in any hour, unless the cause is traffic congestion or emergency work. Railroad engines get a warmup period of up to 20 minutes.
Bristol Township Vehicle Idling Limit
Some RestrictionsBristol Township Code § 129-3 G
G. Operating or permitting the operation of any motor vehicle or any auxiliary equipment attached to such a vehicle, for a period longer than five minutes in any hour while the vehicle is stationary, for reasons other than traffic congestion or emergency work, with the exception of railroad engines which may idle during a warmup period not to exceed 20 minutes.
Flood Elevation Requirements
Bristol Township, Bucks County, PA requires new construction and substantial improvements in AE, A1-30 and AH flood zones to have the lowest floor, including the basement, at or above the regulatory flood elevation. Chapter 68 defines that elevation as the base flood elevation plus a freeboard safety factor of 1 1/2 feet.
Bristol Township Flood Elevation and Freeboard Rules
Significant RestrictionsBristol Township Code §§ 68-24, 68-39
A. Residential Structures. (1) In AE, A1-30, and AH Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation. ... B. Nonresidential Structures. (1) In AE, A1-30 and AH Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement of a nonresidential structure shall have the lowest floor (including b...
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