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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Mars Borough
Mars publishes detailed public thresholds for residential permits: roofing or window or door replacement when a structural change occurs; decks 30 inches above grade; fences up to six feet high when 30 feet or more in length; retaining walls; sidewalks or driveways 30 inches above adjacent grade; pools over 12 feet in diameter and more than 24 inches deep; structural interior renovations; new structures and additions; demolition; signs up to two square feet; and occupancy for new structures or new uses.
Roofing or shingle replacement when no structural change occurs
Window or door replacement when no structural change occurs
Decks less than 30 inches above grade
Fences six feet high or less when less than 30 feet in length
Sidewalks or driveways less than 30 inches above adjacent grade
Pools under 12 feet in diameter and less than 24 inches in depth
Swings and playground equipment
Interior renovations when no structural change is taking place
- Exempt Roofing or shingle replacement when no structural change occurs
- Exempt Window or door replacement when no structural change occurs
- Exempt Decks less than 30 inches above grade
- Exempt Fences six feet high or less when less than 30 feet in length
- Exempt Sidewalks or driveways less than 30 inches above adjacent grade
- Exempt Pools under 12 feet in diameter and less than 24 inches in depth
- Exempt Swings and playground equipment
- Exempt Interior renovations when no structural change is taking place
Required documents
- Complete permit application
- Three sets of drawings when applicable
- All workers compensation information
- Building code
- Mars permits are required under the Mars Borough Zoning Code and the Uniform Construction Code (UCC)
- Permit validity
- All work and required inspections must be completed within one year of permit issuance unless an extension is approved by the Code Enforcement Officer or third-party reviewer or inspector
- Contractor requirements
- Workers compensation information is mandatory with permit applications. For residential home improvement work over $5,000, Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor registration requirements may apply at the state level.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Zoning review may take up to 10 days; third-party review may take up to 30 days
- 01 Submit the full permit application directly to Mars Borough with workers compensation information and, when applicable, three sets of drawings.
- 02 The borough's Code Enforcement Officer performs zoning review first.
- 03 If zoning approval is all that is required, the borough notifies the applicant, assesses fees, and issues an invoice.
- 04 If third-party plan review is required, the borough forwards the application to CEA.
- 05 Wait for borough and CEA review, then pay the invoiced fees before permit issuance.
- 06 Receive the permit from the borough before beginning work.
- 07 Complete all required inspections within the permit term.
Typical processing time: Zoning review may take up to 10 days; third-party review may take up to 30 days
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2024
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$150
02
Plan check fee
Residential plan review for one- and two-family dwellings is $125. Commercial plan review starts at $375 minimum for projects 2,000 square feet and under, then scales by square footage.
03
Permit fee formula
CEA's schedule shows residential new construction or addition at $0.45 per gross floor area with a $150 minimum; residential plans examination at $125; commercial new construction or alteration at $0.50 per gross floor area with a $150 minimum. Mixed square-foot and flat-fee schedule through CEA, plus local zoning fees where applicable.
04
Reinspection fee
Residential single inspection at $125 and commercial single inspection at $150 pass or fail
The borough invoices the applicant after zoning approval or after CEA review, and payment must be made before the permit is issued and before work starts
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2024) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Through Mars Borough and CEA as directed after permit issuance (other)
Typical sequence: Zoning review, CEA review if needed, permit issuance, then all required inspections before closeout
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Mars Borough permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Mars Borough, PA? ▸
Mars publishes detailed public thresholds for residential permits: roofing or window or door replacement when a structural change occurs; decks 30 inches above grade; fences up to six feet high when 30 feet or more in length; retaining walls; sidewalks or driveways 30 inches above adjacent grade; pools over 12 feet in diameter and more than 24 inches deep; structural interior renovations; new structures and additions; demolition; signs up to two square feet; and occupancy for new structures or new uses.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Mars Borough, PA? ▸
Building permit fees in Mars Borough, PA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $150. Fees are calculated as: CEA's schedule shows residential new construction or addition at $0.45 per gross floor area with a $150 minimum; residential plans examination at $125; commercial new construction or alteration at $0.50 per gross floor area with a $150 minimum. Mixed square-foot and flat-fee schedule through CEA, plus local zoning fees where applicable.. Plan check fee: Residential plan review for one- and two-family dwellings is $125. Commercial plan review starts at $375 minimum for projects 2,000 square feet and under, then scales by square footage..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Mars Borough, PA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Mars Borough, PA, follow these steps: 1. Submit the full permit application directly to Mars Borough with workers compensation information and, when applicable, three sets of drawings. 2. The borough's Code Enforcement Officer performs zoning review first. 3. If zoning approval is all that is required, the borough notifies the applicant, assesses fees, and issues an invoice. 4. If third-party plan review is required, the borough forwards the application to CEA. 5. Wait for borough and CEA review, then pay the invoiced fees before permit issuance. 6. Receive the permit from the borough before beginning work. 7. Complete all required inspections within the permit term.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Mars Borough, PA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Mars Borough, PA typically run Zoning review may take up to 10 days; third-party review may take up to 30 days. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Mars Borough, PA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Mars Borough, PA. The following work is generally exempt: Roofing or shingle replacement when no structural change occurs; Window or door replacement when no structural change occurs; Decks less than 30 inches above grade; Fences six feet high or less when less than 30 feet in length; Sidewalks or driveways less than 30 inches above adjacent grade; Pools under 12 feet in diameter and less than 24 inches in depth; Swings and playground equipment; Interior renovations when no structural change is taking place. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Mars Borough, PA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Mars Borough, PA via: Through Mars Borough and CEA as directed after permit issuance.
last verified April 2026
source Code Enforcement Department, Mars Borough ↗
entry id permits/pennsylvania/butler/mars
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Code Enforcement Department, Mars Borough before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.