Mars Borough, PENNSYLVANIA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within Mars Borough. As of January 1, 2024, Code Enforcement Agency (CEA) provides third-party inspection and review services for the borough.

Department

Code Enforcement Department, Mars Borough

Address

301 Arch Street, First Floor, PO Box 395, Mars, PA 16046

Phone

(724) 625-1858

Website

https://marsborough.com/code-enforcement/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

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.

Typical processing time: Zoning review may take up to 10 days; third-party review may take up to 30 days

Source: Code Enforcement Department, Mars Borough

General Requirements

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.

Required Documents

• Complete permit application
• Three sets of drawings when applicable
• All workers compensation information

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

Building code

Mars permits are required under the Mars Borough Zoning Code and the Uniform Construction Code (UCC)

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.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$150

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.

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.

Reinspection fee

Residential single inspection at $125 and commercial single inspection at $150 pass or fail

Payment note

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. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2024).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• 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

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Through Mars Borough and CEA as directed after permit issuance (other)

Typical inspection sequence: Zoning review, CEA review if needed, permit issuance, then all required inspections before closeout

Additional Resources

• Building code: Mars permits are required under the Mars Borough Zoning Code and the Uniform Construction Code (UCC)
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Code Enforcement
• CEA UCC Applicant Information Sheet
• Fee Schedule
• Municipal Plan Review Fees
• License lookup guide: Pennsylvania Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Pennsylvania Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Pennsylvania hub: Pennsylvania Contractor License & Permit Hub

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