# Sign Regulations in Mars Borough, Pennsylvania

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Mars Borough, Pennsylvania, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Mars Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/mars-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/11889326#11889326)

## At a glance

Mars Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 14 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Wall Sign, Freestanding Sign, Roof Signs in the R-3 Residential District, R-4 Residential District zoning district are capped at 8 ft for freestanding in R-4; wall signs within 2 ft of top elevation of structure tall and 32 sq ft aggregate; individual signs up to 32 sq ft, with a 10 ft minimum from street right-of-way (except wall signs); out of clear sight triangle setback (Sec. §270-45.B(2)-(4)(a),(c), §270-46.E). Most commercial signs in Mars Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 Residential District, R-2 Residential District | 4 | 6 ft above ground level | 12 sq ft | — |
| R-3 Residential District, R-4 Residential District | 3 | 8 ft for freestanding in R-4; wall signs within 2 ft of top elevation of structure | 32 sq ft aggregate; individual signs up to 32 sq ft | — |
| C District, L-I District, H-I District, Overlay Zoning District | 7 | 25 ft | 400 sq ft aggregate per property; maximum area per sign 100 sq ft; billboards in H-I: 100 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### R-1 Residential District, R-2 Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Property Sale/Rental/Development) | 4 ft above ground level | 4 sq ft | — | 10 ft minimum from street right-of-way; out of clear sight triangle | — | Must be located a minimum of 10 ft from the street right-of-way line and out of the clear sight triangle | — | §270-45.A(1)-(4), §270-46.E |
| Temporary Sign (Church, School, Institution Event) | 6 ft above ground level | 12 sq ft | — | 10 ft minimum from street right-of-way; out of clear sight triangle | — | Must be located a minimum of 10 ft from street right-of-way and out of clear sight triangle | — | §270-45.A(1)-(4), §270-46.E |
| Property Control Sign (e.g., Parking, etc.) | 4 ft above ground level (if not otherwise specified by state regulation) | 2 sq ft or must comply with state regulations for traffic control sign design and size | — | 10 ft minimum from street right-of-way; out of clear sight triangle | — | Minimum 10 ft from street right-of-way; out of clear sight triangle | — | §270-45.A(1)-(4), §270-46.E |
| Announcement or Professional Sign (Designating Professional Office or Home Occupation) | 4 ft above ground level | 2 sq ft | — | 10 ft minimum from street right-of-way; out of clear sight triangle | — | Minimum 10 ft from street right-of-way; out of clear sight triangle | — | §270-45.A(5), §270-46.E |

### R-3 Residential District, R-4 Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign, Freestanding Sign, Roof Sign | 8 ft for freestanding in R-4; wall signs within 2 ft of top elevation of structure | 32 sq ft aggregate; individual signs up to 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft minimum from street right-of-way (except wall signs); out of clear sight triangle | 2 | Minimum 10 ft from street right-of-way (non-wall signs); out of clear sight triangle | — | §270-45.B(2)-(4)(a),(c), §270-46.E |
| Temporary Sign (Civic/Philanthropic/Educational/Religious Organizations) | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per 150 ft of frontage | One per 150 feet of frontage on public road, alley, or parking lot | — | §270-45.B(5)(a) |
| Banner Sign (Business/Sale Advertising) | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per 150 ft of frontage | One per 150 feet of frontage on public road, alley, or parking lot | — | §270-45.B(5)(b) |

### C District, L-I District, H-I District, Overlay Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign, Freestanding Sign, Roof Sign | 5 ft for freestanding signs; wall signs within 2 ft of top elevation; 25 ft for billboards (H-I only) | 100 sq ft per sign; 400 sq ft aggregate | — | 10 ft minimum from street right-of-way (except wall signs); out of clear sight triangle | — | A sign may be erected on every side of a building that faces a public road, alley, or private/public parking lot. Non-wall signs must be minimum 10 ft from street right-of-way; out of clear sight triangle. | — | §270-45.B(2),(4)(b),(c), §270-46.D,E |
| Billboard | 25 ft | 100 sq ft (widest silhouette) | — | — | — | Only in H-I District; not within 150 ft of another on same side of road; not within 100 ft of another on opposite side; must not obstruct line of sight for vehicles | — | §270-45.B(1), (4)(c), §270-46.D,E |
| Athletic Facility Fence Sign (Clay Ave Baseball Infield) | — | 32 sq ft (4 ft x 8 ft) | — | — | — | Clay Avenue baseball facility infield fence | — | §270-45.B(1) |
| Temporary Sign (Civic/Philanthropic/Educational/Religious Organizations) | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per 150 ft of frontage | One per 150 feet of frontage on public road, alley, or parking lot | — | §270-45.B(5)(a) |
| Banner Sign (Business/Sale Advertising) | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per 150 ft of frontage | One per 150 feet of frontage on public road, alley, or parking lot | — | §270-45.B(5)(b) |
| Vehicle Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Only permitted in designated parking areas in C, L-I, H-I | — | §270-47.C |
| Electronic Sign (Changeable Copy, Video Display, Graphic Display, Multivision) | 5 ft for freestanding; 25 ft for billboards; wall signs within 2 ft of top elevation | 400 sq ft aggregate per property; maximum area per sign 100 sq ft; billboards in H-I: 100 sq ft | — | Must meet district setback; 100 ft from residential boundary (R-1/R-2/R-3); 35 ft from other electronic signs | 1 per lot | Permitted as conditional use in C, L-I, H-I, Overlay; must meet all area and setback requirements for district | — | §270-48 |

## Prohibited signs in Mars Borough

- No sign may be erected or installed without first obtaining a sign permit.
- Signs or devices with flashing, moving or similar lighting or animation are prohibited in all zoning districts, except as set forth for electronic signs.
- All lighting and illumination of signs must conform to regulations regarding traffic hazards as specified in local and state regulations.
- Every sign must be constructed of durable materials, kept in repair, and not allowed to become dilapidated.
- Each sign shall be removed when the circumstances leading to its erection no longer apply.
- Signs which become deteriorated or otherwise present a public hazard shall be removed or repaired by the sign's owner or the property owner if the sign owner cannot be identified.

## Signs exempt from permit in Mars Borough

- No permit is required to erect temporary signs announcing a campaign, drive or event of a civic, philanthropic, education or religious organization in the R-4, C, L-I, H-I and Overlay Zoning Districts, provided such sign does not exceed 25 square feet and is removed immediately upon completion of the campaign, drive or event.
- No permit is required to erect banner signs advertising a business or sale at a commercial business in certain districts, provided they do not exceed 25 square feet, are installed once every six months for 30 days, and meet the other listed criteria.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 4 zoning districts in Mars Borough — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Mars+Borough+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-mars-borough

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