Environmental Rules in Bucks County, PA (2026)

5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Bucks County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply — see the city list below.

Stormwater Management

Bucks County stormwater is regulated under PA Act 167 (32 P.S. §680.1) with county-adopted Act 167 plans for major watersheds. Municipalities must implement plans for Neshaminy, Tohickon, Pennypack, and other watersheds. Projects disturbing 1+ acre need PA DEP NPDES permits. MS4 permits govern urban discharges.

environmental/stormwater

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Erosion Control

Bucks County requires erosion and sediment control per PA Chapter 102 regulations (25 Pa. Code §102). Bucks County Conservation District reviews E&S plans for projects disturbing 5,000+ sq ft; NPDES permits required at 1+ acre. Silt fence, erosion blankets, and stabilized entrances are standard BMPs.

environmental/erosion-control

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Coastal Development

Bucks County has no coastal-development ordinance because it is an inland Pennsylvania county with no Atlantic or Great Lakes shoreline. Pennsylvania's federally approved Coastal Zone Management program covers only the Lake Erie and Delaware Estuary coastal zones, and the Delaware Estuary boundary ends at the head of tide in Trenton, NJ — entirely downstream of Bucks County. Shoreline and waterway activity along the non-tidal Delaware River and its tributaries is regulated instead under PA Code Title 25 Chapter 105 (Dam Safety and Waterway Management), the PA Floodplain Management Act of 1978 (32 P.S. §§ 679.101 et seq.), and Delaware River Basin Commission docket review.

Coastal Development in Bucks County, PA

Few Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Flood Zones

Bucks County has significant flood risk along Delaware River and tributaries. PA Flood Plain Management Act of 1978 requires municipal floodplain regulations. FEMA FIRMs define Special Flood Hazard Areas. Bucks County Conservation District reviews development. Act 167 stormwater plans by watershed.

Bucks County Flood Zone Regulations

Heavy Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Grading & Drainage

Bucks County grading and drainage is regulated municipally under PA Uniform Construction Code and local SALDOs. Grading over 50-100 cubic yards typically needs permits. Cannot redirect drainage onto neighbors (PA common-law nuisance). Retaining walls over 4 ft need engineered design. Bucks County Conservation District reviews E&S plans.