Bristol Township, PA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Chapter 173 of the Bristol Township Code, the Bristol Township Delaware River South Watershed Stormwater Management Ordinance, was adopted by the Township Council on 8-18-2022 as Ord. No. 2022-11. Section 173-3 grounds it in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code and the Stormwater Management Act (Act 167). Chapter 174 is the companion chapter for the Neshaminy Creek Watershed; this page quotes Chapter 173.

The core submission rule is § 173-11(A): all regulated activities in the Delaware River South Watershed that do not fall under the exemption criteria in § 173-24 must submit a drainage plan to the municipality for review. The criteria apply to the total proposed development even if it is built in stages, and impervious cover includes roof, parking and driveway areas, new streets and sidewalks. Areas designed to start as gravel or crushed stone are assumed to be impervious. Under § 173-23, preliminary or final approval of subdivision or land development plans, issuance of any building or occupancy permit, and commencement of any land disturbance cannot proceed until the applicant has written approval of a drainage plan.

Design rules include: unimpeded flow along natural watercourses (§ 173-11(B)); a watercourse on a development site stays open in its natural state and location and is not piped, impeded or altered except for road crossings, with the developer responsible for stabilizing eroded banks (§ 173-11(F)); and roof drains cannot discharge to streets or roadside ditches or connect to sanitary or storm sewers (§ 173-11(L)). Development discharging into the Delaware Canal needs right-of-way approval from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (§ 173-22).

Inspection falls to the Municipal Engineer or other qualified persons designated by the Township (§ 173-50). An approved plan set stays on file at the site, and an occupancy permit is not issued without the certification of compliance. Permits can be suspended or revoked by the governing body after a hearing where no immediate danger exists. Appeals go to the Township governing body or Zoning Hearing Board within 30 days, then to the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas within 30 days of the municipal decision (§ 173-53).