8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in New Castle County, Delaware.
Verified from official government sources
New Castle County requires property owners to maintain lawns and exterior premises under the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code (Ch. 7). Overgrown grass and weeds exceeding approximately 10–12 inches are typically citable.
Property owners in New Castle County are responsible for maintaining trees on their property so they do not encroach on public rights-of-way or create hazards. The county manages trees in public rights-of-way.
Removing trees on private property in unincorporated New Castle County generally does not require a permit. However, trees in public rights-of-way or within buffer/preservation areas under the UDC may require county approval.
New Castle County enforces weed and overgrown vegetation abatement under NCC Code Chapter 9 (property maintenance). Grass and weeds exceeding 10 to 12 inches on improved lots trigger correction notices. The county maintains active enforcement March through November with priority for vacant and abandoned properties. Chapter 9 allows county abatement at owner expense with lien authority.
New Castle County does not have permanent year-round outdoor water use restrictions. Restrictions may be declared during drought emergencies by utilities or the Delaware River Basin Commission.
Rainwater harvesting is fully legal for residential use in New Castle County. Delaware has no state restrictions on residential collection. Rain barrels and small cisterns typically require no permit. Large cisterns or rooftop storage systems feeding potable systems require plumbing permits under the Delaware-adopted International Plumbing Code. DNREC and the Brandywine Conservancy promote harvesting as stormwater BMP.
New Castle County encourages native plantings through the UDC landscape manual. DNREC promotes Delaware native species. No ordinance requires native plants for single-family homes, but commercial developments must meet native species percentages.
New Castle County permits artificial turf for residential lawns without permit. Proper drainage base required to prevent runoff onto neighbors. No state statute preempts HOA rules on turf in Delaware.
1 cities in New Castle County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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New Castle County Ordinance Hub →