Bolthole Index

Ontario County, New York

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in the Town of Bristol, New York

The Town of Bristol, in Ontario County, New York, requires a building permit for any work that must meet the state Uniform Code1, and the town sets its own zoning2. Both go through the town's Code Enforcement / Zoning Office3. Septic rules inside Bristol are not confirmed; the NYS Department of Health Geneva District Office is the environmental-health enforcer for Ontario County4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for work that must meet the Uniform Code; issued by the town1
Zoning
Town zoning applies by district; Ontario County does not zone25
Certificate of occupancy
Required for work done under a building permit6
Accessory dwelling
One per parcel with a Zoning Board of Appeals special use permit7
Septic
Town rule not confirmed; ask the NYSDOH Geneva District Office4
RV or tiny-home living
Not confirmed; ask the Code Enforcement / Zoning Office3
Owner-builder exemption
Not confirmed for Bristol3

Who to call

Building permits

Town of Bristol Code Enforcement / Zoning Office

Building permits,certificates of occupancy, zoning, special use permits, subdivision applications and floodplain development permits inside the Town of Bristol

(585) 229-2440

ceo@townofbristolny.gov

Septic permits

New York State Department of Health - Geneva District Office

Environmental-health enforcement for Ontario County, per the county's own Environmental Health page

315-789-3030

624 Pre-Emption Road, Geneva, NY 14456-1334

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of Bristol means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in the Town of Bristol, NY?

Yes. The Town of Bristol requires a building permit for any work that must conform to the Uniform Code or Energy Code, including construction, additions, alterations, removal and demolition of a building or structure1. The town's code makes exceptions in its Subsection B, which we have not been able to read in full, so ask before assuming a small shed or repair is exempt1. New York lets each town exempt small categories of work, such as a one-story detached shed of 144 square feet or less, but an exemption never excuses code violations8.

When the work is finished, Bristol requires a certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance6, and the Code Enforcement Officer inspects the work before issuing it9. Permit fees are set by Town Board resolution, so ask the Code Enforcement / Zoning Office for the current schedule10.

Who issues building permits in Bristol, and how do you reach them?

The Town of Bristol issues its own building permits through its Code Enforcement / Zoning Office, which also handles certificates of occupancy, special use permits, subdivision applications and floodplain development permits3. Ontario County does not issue them: in this county the enforcing authority is the city, town or village11. The office works by appointment only, so call (585) 229-2440 or email ceo@townofbristolny.gov before you visit3.

The office asks applicants who are unsure what they need to call or email a code or zoning officer before applying3. Applications are reviewed for compliance with the Uniform Code and Energy Code12.

Does Bristol, NY have zoning, and what does it mean for setbacks and lot size?

Yes. The Town of Bristol has its own zoning, and no structure may be built, altered or moved in town unless it conforms to the rules for its district2. Ontario County has no zoning of its own, so the town is the authority for land inside Bristol5.

Setbacks, minimum building size and lot size depend on the district, so check your parcel's district before you buy13. The town's code shows a 35 foot building height limit and 5% maximum lot coverage, both subject to district exceptions1415. Accessory dwelling units are allowed in residential districts with a special use permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals, one per parcel, and not on parcels with two-family or multifamily housing7. Dividing land in violation of the town's subdivision rules makes the division invalid16.

How do septic permits work in the Town of Bristol?

We could not confirm Bristol's own septic permit or inspection rule, so treat septic as a question to settle before closing4. Ontario County describes the NYS Department of Health Geneva District Office as the primary enforcement body for environmental health in the county, reachable at 315-789-30304. For alternative systems, state rules require the State or county health department official to approve plans before construction17.

Soil matters too: about 12.5% of soils in Ontario County rate as not limited for a conventional septic drain field, so most lots need a site evaluation and some need an engineered system18. Private wells inside Bristol are also unconfirmed; ask the same office.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Bristol, NY?

We could not confirm any Bristol rule on RV occupancy, temporary camping or tiny homes, so do not assume any of them is allowed. Bristol's zoning governs structures by district19, and the Code Enforcement / Zoning Office also handles temporary use permits3. Call (585) 229-2440 before moving anything onto a parcel3.

State campground limits do not answer this question; they apply only to state-run campgrounds20.

Building a home in Bristol, NY: the steps, in order

  1. Call or email the Code Enforcement / Zoning Office to confirm your parcel's zoning district and what you need3.
  2. Ask the NYS Department of Health Geneva District Office about septic and well requirements for the lot4.
  3. Check driveway access: Bristol requires driveways to sit at least 10 feet from a property line, with approval from the highway department having jurisdiction21. A driveway onto a county road needs a county highway permit22, and a residence on a state highway needs a NYSDOT permit23.
  4. Apply for a building permit from the town1.
  5. Have work inspected, then obtain the certificate of occupancy6.

What stays with Ontario County, and what to check before you buy in Bristol?

Bristol decides zoning and building permits for land inside town; for land elsewhere in the county, see the Ontario County page. Ontario County's Planning Board reviews some subdivisions within 500 feet of listed boundaries, parks, highways and similar features, but its action is advisory and the local board decides24.

The next checks are zoning district, septic, driveway access and taxes. Ontario County's effective property tax rate is 2.2%25, with a median bill of $4,460 a year26. Floodplain development permits are handled by the town office, so ask about any parcel near water3.

Watch-outs

  • Septic, well, RV, tiny-home and owner-builder rules inside Bristol are unconfirmed; ask the Code Enforcement / Zoning Office at (585) 229-2440 and the NYS Department of Health Geneva District Office at 315-789-303034.
  • The Code Enforcement / Zoning Office works by appointment only, so call or email before visiting3.
  • The Town of Bristol is not the same as the Town of South Bristol, also in Ontario County; confirm which town's office you are dealing with3.

Sources

  1. Chapter 140: Construction Codes, Uniform - Town of Bristol, NY (Town of Bristol), quoted and re-checked
  2. Article IV: Construction Provisions - Town of Bristol, NY (Town of Bristol), quoted and re-checked
  3. Town of Bristol Code Enforcement / Zoning Office (townofbristol.org)
  4. New York State Department of Health - Geneva District Office (ontariocountyny.gov)
  5. documents.dps.ny.gov (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  6. Chapter 140: Construction Codes, Uniform - Town of Bristol, NY (Town of Bristol), quoted and re-checked
  7. Article XI: Special Regulations - Town of Bristol, NY (Town of Bristol), quoted and re-checked
  8. Part 1203 Uniform Code and the Energy Code: Minimum Standards for Administration and Enforcement (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Chapter 140: Construction Codes, Uniform - Town of Bristol, NY (Town of Bristol), quoted and re-checked
  10. Chapter 140: Construction Codes, Uniform - Town of Bristol, NY (Town of Bristol), quoted and re-checked
  11. Administration and Enforcement of the Uniform Code, quoted and re-checked
  12. Chapter 140: Construction Codes, Uniform - Town of Bristol, NY (Town of Bristol), quoted and re-checked
  13. Article IV: Construction Provisions - Town of Bristol, NY (Town of Bristol), quoted and re-checked
  14. Article IV: Construction Provisions - Town of Bristol, NY (Town of Bristol), quoted and re-checked
  15. Article IV: Construction Provisions - Town of Bristol, NY (Town of Bristol), quoted and re-checked
  16. Article X: Administration - Town of Bristol, NY (Town of Bristol), quoted and re-checked
  17. NYS Register March 18, 2015 Rule Making Activities — Standards for Individual Onsite Water Supply and Individual Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  19. Article IV: Construction Provisions - Town of Bristol, NY (Town of Bristol), quoted and re-checked
  20. Campground Rules and Regulations (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Article IV: Construction Provisions - Town of Bristol, NY (Town of Bristol), quoted and re-checked
  22. Highway Work Permit: Driveway Permit Checklist/Instructions, quoted and re-checked
  23. Residential Driveway Permits (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Ontario County Planning Board, quoted and re-checked
  25. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 24, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of Bristol

Town of Bristol’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Work inside Bristol that must conform to the Uniform Code and/or Energy Code.

    • The rule is except as otherwise provided in § 140-4B.
    • parameters are not fully extracted from the cited excerpt.
    “Building permits required. Except as otherwise provided in Subsection B of this section, a building permit shall be required for any work which must conform to the Uniform Code and/or the Energy Code, including, but not limited to, the construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, relocation, or demolition of any building or structure or any portion thereof, and the installation of a solid-fuel-burning heating appliance, chimney, or flue in any dwelling unit.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Building, structure, or work requiring a Bristol certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance.

    • Inspection occurs before issuance of the certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance.
    “The Code Enforcement Officer or an inspector authorized by the Code Enforcement Officer shall inspect the building, structure, or work prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Work subject to a Bristol building permit that is completed in accordance with the applicable codes.

    • The Code Enforcement Officer issues the certificate if work complies with the Uniform Code and Energy Code.
    • Where applicable, listed supporting documents are required before issuance.
    “Certificates of occupancy and certificates of compliance required.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land and structures inside the Town of Bristol.

    • Structures must conform to regulations for the district in which they are located.
    “No structure shall be erected, altered or moved into the Town of Bristol except in conformity with all of the regulations pertaining to such structure and pertaining to the district within which such structure is located.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning use districts inside Bristol.

    • District-specific standards apply to structures.
    “No structure shall be erected, altered or moved into the Town of Bristol except in conformity with all of the regulations pertaining to such structure and pertaining to the district within which such structure is located.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Buildings in Bristol zoning use districts.

    • The cited rule states that lesser size is controlled by the use district; numeric district values were not extracted.
    “Except as hereinafter provided, no building shall hereafter be erected or altered to exceed the height (35 feet), to be of lesser size, to accommodate or house a greater number of families (two), to occupy a greater percentage of lot area (5%), or to have narrower or smaller rear yards, front yards, or side yards than is specified herein for the use district in which such building is located.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Buildings in Bristol zoning use districts.

    • Exceptions may apply under the phrase 'Except as hereinafter provided.'
    “Except as hereinafter provided, no building shall hereafter be erected or altered to exceed the height (35 feet), to be of lesser size, to accommodate or house a greater number of families (two), to occupy a greater percentage of lot area (5%), or to have narrower or smaller rear yards, front yards, or side yards than is specified herein for the use district in which such building is located.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Buildings in Bristol zoning use districts.

    • The rule is subject to the stated 'Except as hereinafter provided' exception and district qualifications.

    maximum lot area occupied: <= 5 percent (Except as hereinafter provided; as specified for the use district)

    “Except as hereinafter provided, no building shall hereafter be erected or altered to exceed the height (35 feet), to be of lesser size, to accommodate or house a greater number of families (two), to occupy a greater percentage of lot area (5%), or to have narrower or smaller rear yards, front yards, or side yards than is specified herein for the use district in which such building is located.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Buildings in Bristol zoning use districts.

    • The rule is subject to the stated 'Except as hereinafter provided' exception and district qualifications.

    building height: <= 35 feet (Except as hereinafter provided; as specified for the use district)

    “Except as hereinafter provided, no building shall hereafter be erected or altered to exceed the height (35 feet), to be of lesser size, to accommodate or house a greater number of families (two), to occupy a greater percentage of lot area (5%), or to have narrower or smaller rear yards, front yards, or side yards than is specified herein for the use district in which such building is located.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory dwelling units inside Bristol residential zoning districts.

    • A special use permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals is required.
    • The ADU must be on the same parcel as the principal residential dwelling unit.
    • One ADU is permitted per parcel.
    • ADUs are prohibited on parcels used for two-family or multifamily dwelling units.
    “Accessory dwelling units as defined herein shall be permitted in all residential zoning districts [...] prohibited on parcels utilized for two-family or multifamily dwelling units.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Division of land inside Bristol.

    • A division in violation of Part 2 is invalid.
    “No land shall be divided in violation of this Part 2. Any division attempted in violation hereof shall be invalid.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Driveways inside Bristol.

    • Location must also be at least 10 feet from any existing property line.

    distance from existing property line: >= 10 feet

    “Driveways must be located at least 10 feet from any existing property line. Location of driveways must have the approval of the highway department having jurisdiction.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Construction-code applications and permits inside Bristol.

    • The fee schedule is established and may be amended by Town Board resolution.
    • The current fee amounts were not extracted.
    “A fee schedule shall be established by resolution of the Town Board of this Town. Such fee schedule may thereafter be amended from time to time by like resolution.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit applications inside Bristol.

    • The application is reviewed for compliance with applicable Uniform Code and Energy Code requirements.
    “To receive, review, and approve or disapprove applications for building permits, certificates of occupancy, certificates of compliance, temporary certificates of occupancy, and operating permits, and the plans, specifications, and construction documents submitted with such applications;”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Bristol or Ontario County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Bristol.
  • Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land inside Bristol.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Bristol.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Bristol.
  • Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy inside Bristol.
9 more unanswered
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of Bristol publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Ontario County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Ontario County: county rules, score and offices