Bristol Township, PA Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)

Section 205-16 of the Bristol Township Code defines Use D24 Agriculture as the production of agricultural, horticultural, arboriculture, viticultural and dairy products; the keeping of livestock, poultry, and the products thereof; bee raising and the products thereof; and all buildings (barns, sheds, silos, etc.) associated with the use. Barns, sheds and silos are therefore part of the agricultural use and do not need a separate use classification.

The first requirement is land: the minimum site area is two acres. The density cap in subsection (c) limits the keeping and raising of livestock and poultry to two head of livestock and 100 fowl per one acre. Subsection (d) bans the raising of ferrets and garbage-fed pigs outright.

Subsection (b) adds the placement rules for animals. Livestock and poultry are not permitted to run at large, and the fenced-in area for them must be provided and sit no less than 100 feet from a dwelling other than the owner's. Buildings or structures used for bees, livestock or poultry stay at least 75 feet from any street line or property line.

Where it is allowed matters. The permitted-use lists for the R-1, R-2 and R-3 Residence Districts each name Use D24 Agriculture among the uses permitted by right (the R-1 list is in § 205-22). No other district list in Chapter 205 names it. Two neighboring uses are classified separately. Use D25 Nursery is the raising of plants, shrubs and trees for sale and transplantation, and a retail garden center is regulated under Use D1 or D2 by gross floor area. Use D26 Commercial Kennel covers six or more dogs, cats or domestic pets and needs two acres. Section 205-16 was last amended on 12-18-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-05, per the note at its head.