Bristol, PA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- 10 inches
- Notice period
- 48 hours after notice is issued
- Cost recovery
- Contractor cost plus 10% penalty, lien allowed
- Notice methods
- Personal service, ordinary mail, or posting
- Maximum fine
- $1,000 plus costs
- Enforcing official
- Borough Manager or designee
Summary
Bristol Borough declares grass, weeds and other vegetation a nuisance once it exceeds a height of 10 inches, on any property in the Borough owned or occupied by anyone. The same section reaches growth that throws off a noxious odor, conceals a filthy deposit or produces pollen. A notice gives 48 hours to cut before the Borough acts.
No person, firm or corporation, owning or occupying any property within the Borough of Bristol, shall permit any grass or weeds or any vegetation whatsoever, not edible or planted for some useful or ornamental purpose, to grow or remain upon such premises so as to exceed a height of 10 inches or to throw off any unpleasant or noxious odor or to conceal any filthy deposit or to create or produce pollen. Any grass, weeds or other vegetation growing upon any premises in the Borough in violation of any of the provisions of this section is hereby declared to be a nuisance and detrimental to the health, safety, cleanliness and comfort of the inhabitants of the Borough.
Full Breakdown
Section 10-201 of the Bristol Borough Code applies to every person, firm or corporation owning or occupying property within the Borough of Bristol. The standard is a height of 10 inches. Vegetation that exceeds it, or that throws off an unpleasant or noxious odor, conceals a filthy deposit, or creates or produces pollen, is declared a nuisance and detrimental to the health, safety, cleanliness and comfort of the inhabitants. The one carve-out is written into the rule itself: vegetation that is edible or planted for some useful or ornamental purpose is not covered, so a vegetable garden or a planted flower bed is outside the height limit while turf and volunteer weeds are not.
Section 10-202 assigns the work. The owner removes, trims or cuts the growth on vacant premises or premises the owner occupies, and the occupant does so when someone other than the owner lives or operates there. Enforcement runs through the Borough Manager or an employee the Manager designates. Under § 10-203 the notice can be given by personal service, ordinary mail or posting on the premises, and it directs the owner or occupant to cut the growth to conform within 48 hours after the notice is issued.
If the notice is ignored for 48 hours, the Borough Manager can contract to have the grass, weeds or vegetation removed, trimmed or cut. The cost, plus a penalty of 10% of the cost, is collected from the person, firm or corporation in the manner provided by law, including the Borough's right to file a lien against the violating premises. Part 2 is enforced by Bristol Borough, and the summary penalty in § 10-204 runs alongside the cost recovery.
Violations & Fines
Section 10-204 provides that a conviction before a magisterial district judge, under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure for summary offenses, carries a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment, imprisonment not to exceed 90 days. Each day a violation continues, and each section found violated, is a separate offense. Independent of the court case, ignoring the 48-hour notice exposes the property to a Borough contractor, a charge of the cost plus 10%, and a lien.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass get in Bristol Borough?
Do gardens and ornamental plantings count under the 10-inch rule?
What happens after Bristol Borough sends a weed notice?
Who has to cut the weeds on a rental property in Bristol Borough?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bristol
How Bristol compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Bristol to another location·View the Pennsylvania landscaping rules overview
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