Wilmington enforces stormwater management standards along Brandywine Creek and Christina River drainage areas, requiring runoff controls for new construction, redevelopment, and impervious-surface expansions exceeding state and county thresholds.
New development and redevelopment within Wilmington must manage stormwater per Delaware Sediment and Stormwater Regulations (DE Code Title 7, Chapter 40) administered jointly with New Castle Conservation District. Projects disturbing 5,000+ square feet require approved sediment and erosion plans before grading. Post-construction stormwater controls (bioretention, infiltration, detention) are required. Wilmington's Riverfront redevelopment zones along Christina River carry additional water-quality requirements due to tidal-zone discharge. Property owners must maintain installed practices; failure can trigger enforcement and corrective orders from Public Works.
Unpermitted earth disturbance or failed maintenance can trigger stop-work orders, fines, and corrective grading requirements with restoration costs.
Wilmington, DE
Residential swimming pools in Wilmington require a building permit from the Department of Licenses and Inspections and must comply with the Delaware State Bu...
Wilmington, DE
Delaware does not preempt local tiny-home rules, and Wilmington's City Code Chapter 48 (Zoning) treats dwellings under the standard residential district bulk...
Wilmington, DE
Carports in Wilmington are accessory structures regulated under City Code Chapter 48 (Zoning) and require a building permit from the Department of Licenses a...
Wilmington, DE
Wilmington follows Delaware HB 80 (2017) informal sanctuary protections. The Wilmington Police Department limits civil immigration cooperation with ICE; crim...
Wilmington, DE
Delaware's Healthy Delaware Families Act (DE 19 §3702A) created statewide paid family and medical leave, fully effective 2026. Wilmington cannot create a sep...
Wilmington, DE
Delaware preempts local minimum-wage rules. The state minimum wage rose from $13.25 (2025) to $15.00 effective 2026 under DE Title 19 §902, applying uniforml...
See how Wilmington's stormwater management rules stack up against other locations.
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