Sussex County, DE Building Safety: Door Locking Hardware (2026)

Door hardware sits inside § 71-12, "Exterior of structures," the same section that requires foundations, walls, roofs and window and door frames to be maintained structurally sound and weathertight. Subsection O states that every exterior door, door hinge and door latch must be maintained in good condition, and that door locks in dwelling units must be in good repair and capable of tightly securing the door. That duty sits alongside Subsection P, which requires basement and cellar hatchways to be maintained so rats, rain and drainage can't get in through a failed door or window, and Subsection L, which requires every window and exterior door to be weathertight and fitted with weather stripping as needed.

On the interior side, § 71-13J requires every exit door to be capable of being opened easily from the inside, so the code balances a secure exterior lock against unobstructed emergency egress. The owner of the building carries the maintenance duty under § 71-11A, and the Code Official can inspect for a failed or missing lock under § 71-25 and order it repaired under § 71-27.