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New Castle County, DE Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)

Some Restrictions

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

Key Facts

Governing section: IPMC § 107.9 as amended
Citation trigger: 10 days after violation notice
First citation penalty: $50.00
Repeat citation penalty: Up to $75-$100
Late payment penalty: Doubles after 30 days unpaid
Review deadline: 10 days to request review
Exempt entities: Common-area maintenance corporations

Summary

New Castle County's code official issues civil-penalty citations for a fixed list of Property Maintenance Code violations once a violation notice has gone uncorrected for 10 days. The citation list covers sanitation, weeds, junk vehicles, illegal parking, outside storage, sidewalk encroachment, pools, and rubbish, the complaints residents most often phone in.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of New Castle County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

107.9 Violations subject to the citation process. The code official is authorized to assess a civil penalty for any violation of the following subsections of this code that remain uncorrected after 10 days following the issuance of a violation notice: 302.1 Sanitation. 302.4 Prohibited growth of grass and weeds. 302.7 Accessory Structures. 302.8.3 Inoperable or unregistered vehicles. 302.8.4 Oversized vehicle parking. 302.8.6 Parking of vehicles. 302.10 Outside storage of household items. 302.11 Outside storage of debris. 302.12 Encroachment on sidewalk. 302.16 Portable temporary storage units. 303.1 Swimming pools. 308.1 Accumulation. 308.2 Disposal of rubbish.

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 5).

Full Breakdown

Under Sec. 2). These are the categories that generate the bulk of code-enforcement complaints countywide, since a violation notice must first be served on the responsible person describing the problem and giving a correction deadline (15 days by default if none is stated) before the citation clock can run. 3, but individual property owners are not. 8. 1, except where the violation is already on the citation track and a civil penalty has been assessed, in which case no reinspection fee applies.

Violations & Fines

Civil penalties escalate with repeat citations for the same uncorrected violation: $50 for the first citation, up to $75 for a second citation issued within one year, and up to $100 for each subsequent citation within that year. Any amount unpaid within 30 calendar days automatically doubles. A new 10-day citation can issue for each continuing period the violation remains, and the code official is not required to re-serve a violation notice for a continuing violation unless the property changes ownership. Disputed civil penalties go to a hearing officer, whose written decision is due within 20 days of the request.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common code violations cited in New Castle County?

The county's citation-track list under IPMC § 107.9 covers sanitation, uncut grass and weeds, deteriorated accessory structures, inoperable or unregistered vehicles, oversized vehicle and general vehicle parking, outside storage of household items or debris, sidewalk encroachment, portable storage units, uncovered swimming pools, and rubbish accumulation or improper disposal.

How long do I have to fix a violation before getting fined?

The code official must first issue a violation notice describing the problem. If the notice does not state a compliance date, 15 days from the notice date applies by default. Citations under the § 107.9 list can then follow if the violation remains uncorrected 10 days after that notice.

How much is the fine for an uncorrected violation in New Castle County?

Civil penalties start at $50 for a first citation, rise to as much as $75 for a second citation on the same violation within a year, and up to $100 for later citations in that year. Any unpaid balance doubles if not paid within 30 calendar days of the citation.

Can I appeal a violation notice or citation?

Yes. You can request an administrative review in writing within 10 days of a citation-track violation notice, or by the stated compliance date for other violations. A hearing officer decides citation appeals in writing within 20 days of receiving the request.

Sources & Official References

[1]New Castle County Code § 7.01.002 (2024 IPMC § 107.9, as amended)

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All New Castle County rules

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