Property Maintenance in New Castle County, DE (2026)
2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in New Castle County, Delaware.
Verified from official government sources
Property Blight
New Castle County code officials can condemn, order repaired, or demolish any structure found unsafe, unfit for habitation, or unlawful, then bill or lien the owner for the cost of abatement.
New Castle County Unsafe Structure Abatement
Significant RestrictionsNew Castle County Code § 7.01.002 (2024 IPMC § 109.1.1, as amended)
An unsafe structure is one that is found to be hazardous to the life, health, property or safety of the public or the occupants of the structure by not providing minimum safeguards to protect or warn occupants in the event of fire, or because such structure contains unsafe equipment or is dangerous. All unsafe structures shall be taken down and removed or made safe and secure as deemed necessar...
Vacant Lot Maintenance
New Castle County caps weeds and grass on undeveloped parcels at 8 inches within 20 feet of any property line when they sit next to a developed parcel, under the county's Property Maintenance Code.
New Castle County Weeds on Vacant Lots
Some RestrictionsNew Castle County Code § 7.01.002 (IPMC § 302.4.1)
302.4.1 Undeveloped parcels. Weeds and grass on undeveloped parcels adjacent to developed parcels shall be no greater than 8 inches high within 20 feet of any property line. Any parcel shown on a land development plan in any residential zoning district shall be considered a developed parcel if any lot located on the plan has received a certificate of occupancy.
Property Maintenance by City in New Castle County
1 cities in New Castle County have their own property maintenance rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All New Castle County ordinances
See every category we cover for New Castle County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
New Castle County Ordinance Hub →