Bristol Township, PA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Chapter 68 of the Bristol Township Code, adopted by Township Council on 2-19-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-02, applies to the whole Township. Section 68-3 requires a permit from the Floodplain Administrator before any construction or development, and minor repairs to existing buildings or structures need no permit. The Director of Building, Planning and Development holds that role under § 68-7, and the Township Manager fills in if the post is vacant.

The identified floodplain area under § 68-18 is the special flood hazard area in the FEMA flood insurance study and FIRMs dated March 16, 2015, or the most recent revision, plus community identified flood hazard areas. Section 68-19 sorts it into the floodway, AE areas with and without a floodway, A areas, AO and AH areas, and community identified areas. In the floodway, no encroachment, including fill, new construction or substantial improvement, is permitted unless hydrologic and hydraulic analysis shows no increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge. In an AE area without a floodway, no permit is granted if cumulative development would raise the base flood elevation more than one foot at any point, and new construction stays 50 feet landward from top-of-bank of any watercourse unless the Department of Environmental Protection regional office consents in writing.

Applicants file in writing on Township forms with owner, contractor, site, a description of work and cost, and a site plan. Projects in an identified floodplain area also go to the Bucks County Conservation District for review and comment before a permit issues. Work must start within 180 days of issuance and finish within 12 months unless the Floodplain Administrator extends the permit in writing. A placard showing the permit number stays posted during construction. Anyone aggrieved by an administrator decision has 30 days to appeal in writing to the Zoning Hearing Board.