Building Safety in Wilmington, DE (2026)

Wilmington City Code § 13-133

When, during the course of a rental inspection under section 34-35 of this Code or following the receipt of a complaint of a tenant or other person, the commissioner of the department of licenses and inspections...shall find upon any rental property, paint containing lead in any form or compound on the interior surfaces, including but not limited to walls, ceilings, window sills, floors, doors ...

Wilmington City Code § 4-27 (adopted Int'l Building Code § 3001.6)

Periodic tests shall be made by the owner's insurance company or its authorized agent or by an authorized elevator inspector agency approved by the code official, and shall be made at the expense and responsibility of the owner. This subsection shall not apply to elevators in structures in use group R-3 or R-4, which are not accessed by the general public. It shall be the sole responsibility of...

Wilmington City Code § 4-27 (IBC § 420.4)

Section 420.4 Automatic Sprinkler system. Group R occupancies shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.8 with the exception of R-3 occupancies, detached and semi-detached one and two family dwellings only, which are exempt from this requirement. Group I-1 occupancies shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accord...

Wilmington City Code § 4-191 (Rehabilitation Subcode § 5:23-6.22(k))

Boiler/furnace equipment rooms shall be enclosed by one-hour fire-rated wall and ceiling assemblies for day nurseries, children's shelter facilities, residential child care facilities and similar facilities with children below the age of 2½ years.

Wilmington City Code § 4-191, Renovation Subcode § 5:23-6.12(b)(2)

All required exit doors equipped with latching devices in buildings or spaces with an occupant load greater than 100 shall be equipped with approved panic hardware.

Wilmington City Code § 34-232.1

Every building of residential or mixed occupancy, in which there are one or more residential units, shall be equipped with approved carbon monoxide alarms in accordance with this chapter. (1) Location. Not less than one approved carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed in each residential unit. The alarm shall be installed within 40 feet of each room used for sleeping purposes.

Wilmington City Code § 48-37

It shall be unlawful to use or permit the use of any building, structure or premises or part thereof hereafter created, erected, changed, converted, altered or enlarged, wholly or partly, in its use or structure, except for minor alterations involving no change in the floor area or use, until a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued therefor by the building inspector.

Wilmington City Code § 4-27 (IBC 2018 § 109.2.2.1)

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...

Wilmington City Code § 4-131 (IPC § 106.3.1.1)

Plumbing work shall not be commenced until a permit for such work has been issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspections. A permit is not required for repairs which involve only the working parts of a faucet or valve. New piping additions to an existing piping system and the addition of any fixtures will require a permit. Plumbing work as described above, that does not require a permit, ...

Wilmington City Code § 4-27 (IBC § 114.4.2(f))

The building official is hereby authorized to make inspections to determine the condition of buildings, dwellings, and premises... located within this city... For the purpose of making such inspections, the building official is hereby authorized to enter, examine and survey between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. all buildings, dwellings, lands and premises. The owner or occupant... shall ...