Bristol, PA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Section 21-244 of the Bristol Borough Code is the Borough's rule against blocking sidewalks and other public ways with snow. No person may deposit, or cause to be deposited, snow or ice on or immediately next to a fire hydrant, or on any sidewalk, roadway, or loading and unloading area of a public transportation system. The rule reaches anyone who shovels or plows, including a contractor hired to clear a lot, because it applies to a person who causes the deposit as well as one who makes it.

There are two exceptions, and both belong to the Borough. Snow and ice can be mounded by the Borough on public cartways incident to cleaning them, and can be mounded on curbs incident to clearing sidewalks in business districts. A property owner has no matching exception, so shoveling a private lot's snow onto the sidewalk or street is not covered by either carve-out.

This rule sits beside the duty to clear sidewalks. Under § 21-242, the person in charge of the building or lot must clear a path at least 36 inches wide within 12 hours after snow, sleet or freezing rain stops, and § 21-243 requires roof snow and ice liable to fall on a public way to be cleared within the same 12 hours.

Other sidewalk obstructions are handled through permits. Under § 21-221, no person, firm or corporation can open any sidewalk within the Borough of Bristol without first obtaining a permit from the Bristol Borough Inspector. The applicant deposits money with the Inspector to cover closing the opening and, if the applicant does not close it satisfactorily within four days of notice, the Inspector has it closed by a contractor and pays from the deposit (§ 21-223). Under the zoning chapter's parking rules, commercial and recreational vehicles in residential districts may not encroach on sidewalks or other areas of public right-of-way. Section 21-142 also bars raking leaves or vegetation into gutters, streets and alleys.