New Castle County, DE Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Cat license
- Not required (dogs only)
- Removal window
- Within 1 hour of deposit
- Covered areas
- Streets, sidewalks, parks, private land
- First-offense fine
- At least $100
- Enforced by
- County Office of Complaints / SPCA
Summary
New Castle County doesn't license or leash cats, that's a dogs-only rule, but owners must stop excreta from piling up at home and immediately clean up any cat feces left on streets, sidewalks, parks, or someone else's property.
Any person who is the owner of or who has responsibility for one (1) or more dogs or cats shall immediately remove, in a sanitary manner, any fecal matter deposited by such dog or cat upon any street, sidewalk or park or upon any property without the consent of the owner or tenant of such property. It shall not be a violation of this Subsection if such fecal matter is removed within one (1) hour.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
New Castle County does not license cats and imposes no leash or at-large restraint on them, those requirements in Chapter 4, Article 2 apply only to dogs. The one duty that does fall on cat owners: County Code § 4.02.003 requires anyone responsible for a dog or cat to prevent excreta from accumulating where the animal is kept, and to immediately remove, in a sanitary manner, any feces the animal leaves on a street, sidewalk, park, or another person's property, waste removed within one hour isn't a violation. Wilmington and Newark run their own municipal codes and set their own pet rules; this chapter governs the rest of the county.
Violations & Fines
No specific fine is set in § 4.02.003; violations default to County Code § 1.01.009: at least $100 for a first conviction, $125–$500 for a second within 12 months, $150–$1,000 or up to 30 days for a third.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New Castle County require cat owners to get a license?
How fast must I clean up after my cat in public?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Castle County
Compare New Castle County to another location·View the Delaware animal ordinances overview
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