How can I find out if I need a building permit in Delaware?

Building permits in Delaware are issued by the local city government in the town where the property is located. In the case of unincorporated areas, permitting is normally handled by the county government. Your local government website will have more information on exactly what construction projects require a building permit in your municipality.

 

CLICK THE LINKS TO YOUR CITY BELOW TO APPLY FOR A BUILDING PERMIT Some cities have a general building permit application, whereas others have separate permit applications for project type or for the different phases of construction. Not all cities have forms on their site and might only list a contact and phone number.

Wilmington

What kind of building permits are required in Delaware?

When building or substantially remodeling an existing structure, there are several different regulations you must abide by. Some of these regulations are federal, but most are determined by the state or local city where the property is located. Likewise, there are several different types of permits and agency approvals you can be required to have before starting a project. Which permits you will be required to obtain depend on the size and nature of your project as well as its location. Common building permits include electrical permits, mechanical permits, plumbing permits, and use permits. You will often have to get county approval for your sewer or septic plan as well. And because most of Delaware is located in a federally designated flood plain, there are often special permits you must receive before beginning construction in the flood plain, such as the FEMA elevation certificate. Which permits you will be required to obtain depend on the size and nature of your project as well as its location.

What information does Delaware require on my building permit application?

The information and documentation requested will depend on the type of building permit you are applying for and whether the project warrants other permits as well. But generally, you will need to provide some basic information, including:

• Owner’s name and contact information
• Address of the property
• Type and nature of work to be completed
• Contractor’s name, license number, and contact information
• The estimated cost of construction or the estimated added value of the project

You will also normally need to submit detailed drawn plans of the proposed construction at the time you submit your general application. If your project requires other agency approvals, these will normally have to be obtained prior to filing your application. Your permit application will not be processed until all the necessary information is submitted.  

Disclaimer: This site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial or tax advise. The information on this site should not be relied upon as an official source of information and should be independently verified.