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Rental Inspections in Wilmington, DE (2026)

2 verified rental inspections rules for Wilmington, Delaware, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Inspection Programs

Wilmington requires every rental dwelling to pass a licenses-and-inspections inspection every two years (five-or-fewer-unit buildings) or five years (six-plus-unit buildings), with a mandatory initial inspection before renting.

Wilmington Rental Property Inspection Cycle

Significant Restrictions

Wilmington City Code § 34-45

Any person who leases or rents any dwelling or any dwelling unit shall: (1) Cause the same to be inspected by the commissioner of licenses and inspections...every two years for each dwelling or building consisting of five or fewer units...(2)...every five years for each dwelling or building consisting of six or more units. The purpose of all rental inspections shall be enforcement of the provis...

Tenant Complaint Process

Wilmington tenants and owners can request a Housing Code inspection anytime, and the enforcement officer must investigate: retaliation against a complaining tenant is illegal.

Wilmington Tenant Inspection Request Rights

Some Restrictions

Wilmington City Code § 34-41

The enforcement officer is hereby authorized and directed to make inspections to determine the condition of dwellings, dwelling units, hotel units, rooming units and premises located within this city... Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the entry of the enforcement officer: ... (2) At any time when such an inspection, examination or survey may be requested by such owner or ...

Looking for New Castle County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Wilmington city rules.

Rental Inspections in New Castle County