This chapter regulates and restricts the height, number of stories and size of buildings and other structures, their construction, alteration, extension, repair, maintenance, and all facilities and services in or about such buildings and structures, percentage of lot that may be occupied, the size of yards, courts and other spaces, the density of population and the location and use of buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, residence or other purposes; establishes and maintains building lines and setback building lines upon any or all public roads and highways; establishes for such purposes districts and defines the boundaries thereof; and provides for its administration by authorizing a Zoning Officer, a Zoning Hearing Board, appeals and penalties for violation in its enforcement.

Now, therefore, be it ordained and enacted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Mars, Butler County, Pennsylvania, and it is hereby ordained and enacted with and by authority of same.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Zoning Ordinance of the Borough of Mars."

The Zoning Map shall be known and may be cited as the "Borough of Mars Official Zoning Map."[1]

Regulate the density of population;

Regulate the location and use of buildings, structures and land for residential, agricultural, commercial, industrial and other purposes;

Regulate the height, bulk, number of stories, size and placement of buildings and structures;

Divide the Borough into districts of such size, shape and area and to establish such Zoning Map as may be deemed best suited to carry out these regulations; and

Establish procedures for the administration, enforcement, amendment and relief from hardships under certain circumstances.

The community development objectives which are the basis for the provisions of this chapter are to:

It is further the intent that this chapter enhance the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code[1] and the Butler County Subdivision and Planning Codes.

No building, structure or land shall hereafter be used or occupied and no building or structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered unless in conformity with all of the regulations herein specified for the district in which it is located and unless a variance has been property granted.

No building or other structure shall hereafter be erected or altered to exceed the height, to accommodate or house a greater number of families, to occupy a greater percentage of lot area, to have narrower or smaller rear yards, front yards, side yards, or other open spaces than are herein required, or in any other way contrary to the provision of this chapter.

No yard or lot existing at the time of passage of this chapter shall be reduced in dimension or area below the minimum requirements set forth herein. Yards or lots created after the effective date of this chapter shall meet at least the minimum requirements established by this chapter.

Where such public or governmental uses are specifically listed, they shall be governed as indicated.

Where such public or governmental uses are not specifically listed, they shall be permitted only in districts permitting private uses of a similar or substantially similar nature.

Governmental entities and agencies shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter only to the extent that it has been determined that the Borough has no power to apply its zoning regulations to the particular use of land.

In the interest of the protection of health and safety, the Borough shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter in the course of municipal functions related to road maintenance and provision of infrastructure, including grading, paving, culverts, bridges, directional and safety signage, pump stations, wells and similar structures and appurtenances, in particular, any applicable setback and permitting procedures. However, the Borough shall maintain all lot, yard, and coverage standards for any municipal building or municipally owned structure.

The Borough Council shall, from time to time, establish, by resolution, a schedule of fees, charges and expenses and a collection procedure for zoning permits, appeals and other matters pertaining to this chapter. The schedule of fees may be amended by official action by the Borough Council.

No permit, certificate, application or variance shall be issued, nor shall any action be taken on proceedings before the Zoning this chapter Board, unless or until such costs, charges, fees, and expenses have been paid in full.

A zoning certificate shall be required for all new construction, additions, or alterations affecting exterior dimensions of existing structures and for any structural or interior changes required for a change in the structure's use or for any change in use.

Any application for amendment, variance, special exception, conditional use, permit or any other application or certificate within the scope of this chapter shall be accompanied by a fee, such fee to be established by resolution of the Borough Council, who may, from time to time, revise such fees in order to bear a reasonable relationship to the costs involved.