Bristol, PA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Chapter 9 of the Bristol Borough Code, Grading and Excavating, is where retaining walls meet the permit system. Section 9-107 lists activities requiring no grading permit, and the first item names improvements such as erection of retaining walls, driveway paving and minor regrading that do not adversely affect the natural overland or subsurface flow of stormwater, drainage of any premises, or adversely disturb the landscape, in a gross area of up to 25 acres on any one property. A wall that does affect drainage is caught by § 9-106, which requires a grading permit for modifying, blocking or diverting the natural flow of stormwater, for paving, filling, stripping, excavating, grading or regrading of any land, and for disturbing the landscape, vegetation or any ground cover over an area in excess of 5,000 square feet.

A grading permit application is a plan under § 9-108: five copies go to the Secretary, who forwards one each to the Planning Commission, the Borough Engineer and the Zoning Officer, with a fee set by resolution of Borough Council. The Borough Engineer handles inspections under § 9-113, including a set of as built plans authenticated by a registered professional engineer, and engineering check notes for structural measures. Under § 9-112 the owner must continuously maintain and repair retaining walls installed under a grading permit.

Inside a subdivision or land development, Chapter 22A requires construction observation of retaining walls by the Borough Public Works Superintendent and the Borough Engineer, notice 48 hours in advance, and shop drawings approved by the Borough Engineer before construction. Where grade changes near trees, § 22-530 requires the wall outside the tree protection area, with its top four inches above finished grade and weep holes within any wall. The retaining wall provisions in the Code print no maximum wall height.