New Castle County requires building and electrical permits for solar panel installations. Rooftop residential systems are typically permitted in 2-4 weeks. 3-foot fire setbacks from roof ridges and edges required per IRC.
New Castle County Department of Land Use requires a building permit and electrical permit for residential solar PV installations. The county uses the 2018 International Residential Code with Delaware amendments; IRC Appendix M / IFC 605 requires 3-foot clear pathways on both sides of a roof ridge and 3-foot setback from eaves for fire access. Plans must include structural analysis confirming the roof can carry the additional dead load, electrical one-line diagram, and panel layout. Standard rooftop permits are reviewed in 10 to 20 business days; expedited SolarAPP+ review is available. Delmarva Power net metering under Delaware's Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (26 Del. C. §1014) credits excess generation. Ground-mounted arrays are treated as accessory structures with UDC setbacks. Delaware's Solar Rights Act (25 Del. C. §318) limits HOA restrictions.
Installing without permits: stop-work order, double permit fees, potential removal if code non-compliant. Electrical code violations: correction required before final approval. Bypassing utility interconnection: Delmarva Power may disconnect.
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