Bristol Township, PA Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)

The rule sits in the Property Maintenance Code that Bristol Township adopted by reference in § 150-1 (the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code, copies on file in the Office of Licenses and Inspections) and amended in § 150-2 with a new Section 302.8.1. Motor and recreational vehicles stored on the property must be properly registered, inspected and insured, and they must be parked on the premises' driveway. The exception lets a single family detached dwelling or a two family dwelling install a second or separate off-street parking area for recreational vehicles, provided it is not located within any right-of-way and sits at least three feet from side and rear property lines if parked in the rear yard.

That second area can be paved or constructed with crushed stone and must be large enough for every part of the vehicle in contact with the ground. For fire safety, recreational vehicles parked directly between two houses need a minimum of six feet of separation from the home or structure. An existing paved driveway can be extended with a gravel or stone addition for currently inspected and insured motor vehicles, and everything stored on the property must stay in a state of good repair and appearance.

The term recreational vehicle covers motor homes, truck-mounted campers, travel trailers, folding tent campers, snowmobiles, minibikes, go-karts, boats, boat trailers and utility trailers, and vehicles cannot be used for living facilities, storage nor for a commercial purpose. The zoning chapter adds that driveways are permitted in front, side and rear yards (§ 205-133C), and that parking areas of three or more vehicles, including driveways, must be surfaced with asphalt or other suitable material and drained to the satisfaction of the Township Engineer, a requirement § 205-118H lifts for driveway extensions and recreational vehicle parking under Section 302.8.1.

A home occupation is treated differently: § 205-16G(1)(a)[5] bars off-street parking spaces in front yards and allows only a ten-foot wide driveway there to reach side or rear parking.