Bristol, PA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Bristol Borough Code § 27-320, Use 7G defines a home occupation as an accessory use customarily carried on within a dwelling unit or accessory building by one or more occupants of the dwelling, clearly incidental and subordinate to its residential use. Section 27-320 applies to every zoning district in which the use is permitted, whether by right, special exception or conditional use. In the R-1 Residential District, the code lists Home Occupation (7G) among the special exception uses authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board.

The core limits are numeric. No more than one home occupation is allowed per dwelling unit. It must be carried on only by owner-inhabitants of the dwelling and not more than one additional employee. The floor area devoted exclusively to it, inside the principal structure or an accessory structure, cannot exceed 25% of the ground floor area of the principal residential structure, or 500 square feet, whichever is less.

The remaining standards protect the neighborhood. Adequate off-street parking must be provided under § 27-701, Subsection 1A, and Table 27-7-A, with loading where applicable. There can be no outdoor storage or display and no change in the existing outside appearance of the building. No equipment or process can produce noise, odor, vibration, glare, fumes, light or electrical interference at the property line, or interfere with radio or television reception off the lot. No trucks or similar vehicles for pickup or delivery are allowed, and only articles produced on the premises can be sold there.

Use 7G lists fine arts studios, office, medical office, dressmaking, beauty parlors, barber shops, real estate offices, insurance offices and similar occupations as included uses. It excludes an animal hospital, commercial stables, kennels, or any occupation requiring a panel truck or delivery truck. A quieter business can instead qualify under Use 7J, the No-Impact Home-Based Business, which allows family employees only.