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Wilmington, DE Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Electrical work permit fee
$20 per building permit
Annual electrical installation permit
$30 per year
Electrician/electrical contractor license
$200 per year
Issuing agency
Dept. of Licenses and Inspections

Summary

Wilmington requires an electrical permit for wiring work performed under the city's adopted 2018 International Building Code, with a $20 permit fee per project and a separate $30 annual installation permit, issued only to City-licensed electricians.

Section 109.2.2.1 Other fees, generally. Additional permit fees shall be paid for the following related work in connection with any building permit: a.Plumbing .....$20.00b.Heating installation .....$20.00c.Air conditioning system .....$20.00d.Mechanical ventilation .....$20.00e.Electrical work .....$20.00...

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).

Full Breakdown

The City of Wilmington adopted the 2018 International Building Code as its building code (Wilmington City Code § 4-26), which governs electrical construction alongside the other listed technical codes. The Department of Licenses and Inspections charges a $20 electrical-work permit fee on top of every building permit (§ 4-27, IBC § 109.2.2.1) plus a separate $30 annual permit for electrical installations (§ 4-27, IBC § 109.2.5). Only a contractor holding a current City of Wilmington electrician/electrical-contractor license, which costs $200 per year (§ 5-96, § 5-101), may pull the permit or perform the work.

Violations & Fines

Doing electrical work without the required permit or without a licensed electrician/electrical-contractor license draws a $250 unpermitted-work surcharge for residential jobs or $500 for commercial jobs (§ 4-27, IBC § 109.1.1(c)), plus possible permit denial or revocation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for electrical work in Wilmington?
Yes. Wilmington adds a $20 electrical-work fee to every building permit and requires a separate $30 annual permit for electrical installations (City Code § 4-27, IBC §§ 109.2.2.1, 109.2.5).
Who can pull an electrical permit in Wilmington?
Only a contractor holding a current City of Wilmington electrician/electrical-contractor license, which costs $200 per year under City Code §§ 5-96 and 5-101.

Sources & Official References

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All Wilmington rules

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