Bristol Township, PA Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)

Section 120-7 of the Bristol Township Code, adopted by the Township Council in Bucks County, applies to anyone who occupies a dwelling as owner-occupant or lets it to another, so landlords and owner-occupants answer to the same list. Every foundation, exterior wall and exterior roof must be substantially weathertight, watertight and rodentproof, kept in sound condition and capable of carrying the load normal use places on it. Interior floors, walls and ceilings must be substantially rodentproof. Windows, exterior doors, basement or cellar doors and hatchways carry the same weathertight, watertight and rodentproof requirement.

Inside and outside stairs and porches must be safe to use, plumbing fixtures must be free from defects, leaks and obstructions and meet Chapter 84, and bathroom and water closet floors must be impervious to water. Exterior structural elements subject to decay must be painted, and fences, accessory structures, interior walkways and paved areas must be kept in good repair. Other sections of Chapter 120 add numbers. Section 120-5 requires heating facilities able to reach at least 70° F. in habitable rooms when it is 10° F. outside, and it prohibits portable electric, gasoline, fuel oil and kerosene heaters as a way of meeting the standard.

Section 120-6 requires 250 square feet of habitable floor area for each of the first three occupants and 150 square feet for each additional occupant, with a person under one year of age not counted, and no cellar can be used for living purposes. Section 120-10D requires a heater certification from a Pennsylvania licensed HVAC professional before rental inspection and occupancy, and § 120-10J requires chimney certification by a licensed professional. A unit that fails the chapter to an extent that endangers occupants is declared substandard housing and a public nuisance under § 120-8.

The Building Official administers the chapter under § 120-11, and every rental unit also needs the annual license from the Office of Licenses, Zoning and Inspections.