Bristol Township, PA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Local gate (§ 173-20(C))
- No start until Township approves erosion and sediment control plan
- State plan trigger (§ 173-20(D))
- Earth disturbance of 5,000 square feet or more
- NPDES trigger (§ 173-20(E))
- One acre or more with point source discharge, or five acres or more
- On-site copy (§ 173-20(G))
- Plan and permits kept at the project site at all times
- Fine (§ 173-52)
- Up to $1,000 per violation; each day separate
- Standard (§ 173-20(A))
- 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102 and Bucks County Conservation District
Summary
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.
§ 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 sediment control plan for construction activities. D. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has regulations that require an erosion and sediment control plan for any earth disturbance activity of 5,000 square feet or more, under 25 Pa. Code § 102.4(b). E. In addition, under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 92, a DEP "NPDES Construction Activities" permit is required for any earth disturbance one acre of more with a point source discharge to surface waters or the municipality storm sewer system, or five acres or more regardless of the planned runoff. ... G. A copy of the erosion and sediment control plan and any required permit as required by DEP regulations, shall be available at the project site at all times.
Full Breakdown
Section 173-20 of the Bristol Township Code sets the erosion and sedimentation requirements in Chapter 173, the Delaware River South Watershed Stormwater Management Ordinance. Under subsection (A), whenever vegetation and topography are to be disturbed, the activity must conform to 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102, Erosion and Sediment Control, and be carried out in accordance with the Bucks County Conservation District. Subsection (C) is the local gate: regulated activities within the municipality shall not commence until approval by the municipality of an erosion and sediment control plan for construction activities.
The section also reports the state thresholds. Subsection (D) states that DEP regulations require an erosion and sediment control plan for any earth disturbance activity of 5,000 square feet or more under 25 Pa. Code § 102.4(b). Subsection (E) states that under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 92 a DEP NPDES Construction Activities permit is required for any earth disturbance of one acre or more with a point source discharge to surface waters or the municipality storm sewer system, or five acres or more regardless of the planned runoff, including disturbance on any portion of a larger common plan of development. Subsection (F) requires evidence of any necessary permit from the DEP regional office or county conservation district to be provided to the Township, and subsection (G) requires a copy of the plan and any required permit to be available at the project site at all times.
Where infiltration BMPs are proposed, subsection (B) adds two construction-phase standards. Areas proposed for infiltration must be protected from sedimentation and compaction, and an infiltration BMP cannot be built or receive runoff until the entire contributory drainage area has received final stabilization.
Section 173-11(N) frames the whole chapter around two elements, erosion and sediment control during earth disturbance and water quality protection after construction, and § 173-11(O) bars regulated earth disturbance until the chapter's requirements are met. Under § 173-50(D), the governing body can suspend or revoke a permit for noncompliance, and a suspended permit is reinstated once the Municipal Engineer has inspected and approved corrections to the stormwater management and erosion and sediment pollution control measures.
Violations & Fines
Under § 173-52, anyone violating Chapter 173 is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 for each violation, recoverable with costs; each day is a separate offense and penalties are cumulative. The Township solicitor can seek injunctions or mandamus. Permits can be suspended or revoked under § 173-50(D), a revoked permit cannot be reinstated, and the applicant must apply for a new one. Appeals run to the governing body or Zoning Hearing Board within 30 days under § 173-53.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an erosion plan before starting construction in Bristol Township?
At what size does DEP require a plan?
Does the plan have to be on the job site?
What is the penalty for skipping erosion controls?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bristol Township
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