Bristol, PA Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)

The rental inspection program is Chapter 11, Part 1 of the Bristol Borough Code. Section 11-107 directs the Building Code Official or a duly authorized inspector to conduct a biennial inspection of each dwelling unit to determine whether the unit complies with the building and fire ordinances of the Borough of Bristol. In a single building containing more than 10 dwelling units the inspector conducts an annual inspection instead. When the report and inspection are complete, the Building Code Official issues a certificate of registration and inspection for all units meeting ordinance requirements. The landlord pays a registration and inspection fee for each unit, in an amount established from time to time by resolution of Borough Council, together with the landlord report required by § 11-103.

Section 11-108 adds an interim inspection. If a change of occupancy of a dwelling or dwelling unit occurs more than 90 days of the date of the annual inspection required by § 11-107, an additional inspection is required to determine compliance with the ICC International Property Maintenance Code and all other codes and ordinances of the Borough of Bristol governing health, sanitation and the use of a structure for human occupancy. The interim inspection is accomplished within five days of the Borough's receipt of a completed application by the landlord. The Building Code Official lists any violations as separate items in a written report submitted to the landlord.

Severity of the finding decides timing. Violations that pose a clear, positive and serious threat to the health, safety or welfare of any occupant are set forth in the report and must be corrected before any change in occupancy of the dwelling or dwelling unit, and a re-inspection is completed before occupancy.

A separate sale-and-turnover requirement sits in Chapter 5, Part 5. Section 5-501 requires a certificate of approval from the Code Enforcement Officer before any change in ownership or occupancy of a house, dwelling, apartment unit or rooming house unit, with an exception for changes involving members of an immediate family. Section 5-502 sets an application at least 30 days before the change and an inspection within seven business days of a complete application. The three-year inspection in Chapter 5, Part 4 covers industrial, commercial and nonresidential buildings, not rental housing.