New Castle County, DE Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforced by
- New Castle County Police Department
- First offense fine
- $100-$1,000
- Repeat offense at same address
- $300, then $500 minimum
- Absentee-owner notice window
- 180 days
- Defense
- occupant already evicted
Summary
New Castle County makes it unlawful for a homeowner, landlord, or occupant to allow a party or gathering that causes fighting, threatening behavior, unreasonable noise, or other public disturbance on the premises.
It shall be unlawful for any owner, owner's agent, manager, caretaker or person occupying a premises to allow, suffer or permit in any residence or upon any premises occupied by himself or herself any conduct which causes public inconvenience, annoyance, alarm to a reasonable person, or disrupts the quiet and good order of adjoining and surrounding properties including, but not limited to, engaging in fighting or in violent, tumultuous, or threatening behavior, making unreasonable noise or an offensively coarse utterance, gesture or display...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 22.02.006, any owner, agent, manager, caretaker, or occupant who allows conduct on a premises that causes public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm, or disrupts nearby properties, is liable -- including fighting, threatening behavior, unreasonable noise, or obstructing traffic. A non-resident owner or landlord is presumed to allow repeat conduct once notified, and a second violation within 180 days of that notice is itself a violation. Police can order the crowd to disperse on scene.
Violations & Fines
Fines run $100-$1,000 per offense: at least $100 first offense, $300 second, $500 for each later offense at the same premises; ignoring a police dispersal order is a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be cited if I don't live at the property where the party happened?
Does this apply in Wilmington or Newark?
What happens if police tell everyone to leave and they don't?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Castle County
Compare New Castle County to another location·View the Delaware public conduct overview
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