Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Special Events & Permits in New Castle County, DE (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in New Castle County, Delaware.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of New Castle County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Park Event Permits

New Castle County requires a paid reservation permit for group picnic shelters and a free first-come permit for athletic fields, both issued by the Department of Public Works before use.

New Castle County Park Facility Permits

Some Restrictions

New Castle County Code § 24.01.018

Reservation permits for group picnic shelter facilities in parks may be obtained for a nominal fee from the Department of Public Works.

Parade Permits

Concerts, carnivals, circuses, outdoor religious meetings and other temporary public gatherings on private or commercial land need a County limited use permit, capped at six events a year and 14 days each under Section 40.03.330.

New Castle County Special Event Permit

Some Restrictions

New Castle County Code § 40.03.330

A limited use permit is required for temporary special events. Non-profit and/or charitable organizations shall only be required to submit an information sheet, on a form to be approved by the Department, that identifies the nonprofit or charitable organization and the name, address and telephone number for a primary contact. This activity is limited to no more than six (6) times per year, and ...

Sidewalk Dining & Cafés

Restaurants that already hold a temporary outdoor seating limited use permit under Sec. 40.03.329 can make that seating permanent through a record plan modification, reviewed as a minor plan by the Department of Land Use.

New Castle County Permanent Outdoor Seating Conversion

Some Restrictions

New Castle County Code § 40.31.716

The General Manager of the Department shall have the authority to approve record plan modifications to correct errors and to allow minor revisions to previously-recorded plans. A.A record plan modification shall be permitted for any of the following purposes... 8.Converting temporary outdoor restaurant seating established in Section 40.03.329 to permanent outdoor seating.

Special Events & Permits by City in New Castle County

1 cities in New Castle County have their own special events & permits 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 →