Kent County, DE Code Violation Reporting: How to Report (2026)

Under § 90-2 of the Kent County Code, amended in its entirety August 13, 2024 by Ord. No. 24-21, the complaint process runs through defined steps. Step one, "initial complaint," accepts reports from a resident or from field observation by department staff. Step two, "case generated," has an Inspection and Enforcement employee enter the complaint into the violation management system and assign a tracking number. Step three assigns an Enforcement Constable or appropriate County designee to the complaint. Step four, "field observation," sends the Constable or designee to inspect the site, determine whether a violation exists, post the property citing the violation and the time allotted for compliance, and hand-deliver a correction order to the responsible party if that person can be located.

E directs staff to prepare a "letter of violation" for mailing to the owner or responsible party. Step six is a follow-up inspection after the compliance grace period to confirm whether the property is now compliant or whether an extension is warranted. G moves the case into the penalty and enforcement provisions of Chapter 90, which can include administrative ticketing under § 90-8 and civil penalties under § 90-11. E and § 90-4.