Building Safety in New Castle County, DE (2026)

New Castle County Code § 19.03.003 (Tenants' Rights Guide Appendix — Lead Paint)

If your unit was built before 1978, you should receive the United States E.P.A. pamphlet on lead safety and hazards. You should also be presented with a lead paint disclosure form to sign with your lease. If your unit was tested to be below 1.0mg/cm 2 of lead you may not have to receive the pamphlet.

New Castle County Code § 6.04.002 (IBC § B3009.1, as amended)

Section B3009.1, General. The operation of all equipment governed by the provisions of this Chapter and hereafter installed, relocated or altered shall be unlawful by persons other than the installer thereof until such equipment has been inspected and tested as herein required and a final or limited certificate of compliance has been issued thereof by the Code Official.

New Castle County Code § 6.05.002

Section R309.1, Townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems, is amended in the second line by deleting the word "shall" and substituting the word "may." ... Section R309.2, One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire sprinkler systems, is amended in the second line by deleting the word "shall" and substituting the word "may." ... Section R309.3, Permanent model home automatic fire sprinkler sys...

New Castle County Code § 6.04.002 (amending IBC §§ B305.2, B308.5, B310.4.1)

Section B310.4.1, Care facilities within a dwelling...is amended...by substituting "adults or twelve or fewer children" for "persons," and requiring: "(i) A license shall be obtained from the State of Delaware Department of Services of Children, Youth, and Their Families. All regulations of such Department shall be met; (ii) Rooms to be occupied by infants shall have a direct path of egress, on...

New Castle County Code § 19.03.003 (Tenants' Rights Guide Appendix - "Security")

Locked Doors: All exterior doors must operate and have a working lock. All doors used to exit your rental unit must open easily from the inside WITHOUT the need for a key.

New Castle County Code § 2.05.301(A)

To promote green building practices, the Department of Public Works shall:1.Promulgate a Standard Operating Procedure for green building practices ("Green Building SOP") for the new construction of County-owned public buildings. Adoption and amendment of the Green Building SOP shall require the consent of Council. New construction means the design and construction of any new public building.2.R...

New Castle County Code § 6.04.002 (amending IBC § B310.4.1)

...the following restrictions are met: (i) A license shall be obtained from the State of Delaware Department of Services of Children, Youth, and Their Families. All regulations of such Department shall be met; (ii) Rooms to be occupied by infants shall have a direct path of egress, on the same floor level, to the exterior of the house; (iii) Smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with Se...

New Castle County Code § 6.03.012(C)(1)(i), (C)(2)(b)

i. Non-structural concrete slabs, patio and decorative hardscaping not more than thirty (30) inches above grade at any point... b. Decks not exceeding two hundred (200) square feet in area, that are not more than thirty (30) inches (762 mm) above grade at any point and are not adjacent to, or attached to, a one- or two-family dwelling.

New Castle County Code § 6.10.001

New Castle County enforces the provisions of 16 Del. C. ch. 80 ("Residential Dwelling Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure"). New Castle County also enforces the provisions of 16 Del. C. ch. 76 ("County or Municipal Building, Plumbing, Electrical and Other Codes"), including section Section 7605 ("Solar-ready zone").

New Castle County Code § 6.03.012

Any permit contractor endorsement holder ... who intends to ... install, alter, repair ... or replace any ... plumbing system ... shall first make application to the Code Official and obtain the required permit. ... Owner-occupier residential plumbing permit. Any person who installs that person's own plumbing work ... in or about that person's own home and not for sale or any part for rent, sha...

New Castle County Code § 6.03.018

Footing inspections shall be made after excavations for footings are complete and any required reinforcing steel is in place prior to the placement of concrete... Close-in inspection shall be made after the roof, masonry, framing, firestopping, draftstopping and bracing are in place in conjunction with any required approvals of the rough plumbing, mechanical and electrical inspections... Final ...