Bristol, PA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Chapter 9, Part 1 is the Soil Erosion, Sedimentation and Grading Control Ordinance of the Borough of Bristol, adopted to implement Chapter 102 of the Pennsylvania Code on erosion control. Section 9-105 requires a plan whenever the landscape is permanently disturbed as to contours, soil or slope, or vegetation or ground cover is permanently removed. The plan states the amount of site alteration, a development schedule, and the temporary and permanent erosion and sediment control practices with their operation and maintenance arrangements.

A grading permit is required under § 9-106 for modifying or diverting stormwater flow, building a drainage dam, ditch, culvert or pipe, paving, filling, stripping, excavating, grading or regrading land, and disturbing the landscape, vegetation or ground cover over an area in excess of 5,000 square feet. Section 9-107 exempts improvements such as retaining walls, driveway paving and minor regrading that do not adversely affect stormwater flow or drainage, in a gross area of up to 25 acres on one property, and also farming, gardening and lawn restoration, but not sod farming.

The applicant submits five copies of the plan to the Secretary, who forwards one each to the Planning Commission, the Borough Engineer and the Zoning Officer, with a fee set by the Borough Council. Under § 9-110 the Borough Engineer can require a drainage study, and the rate of runoff after development cannot exceed the pre-development rate in a one-hundred-year frequency storm. Section 9-112 adds the working standards: the owner continuously maintains graded surfaces and anti-erosion devices, dust control is provided when required, and measures follow the County Conservation District standards and the Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, including mulching, sodding, temporary diversion and debris basins. Fill density must be not less than 95% of maximum density. The Borough Engineer conducts a final inspection, and satisfactory compliance is necessary before an occupancy or use permit issues. Permittees pay inspection costs and deposit the sum the Borough Council sets.