Pop. 70,898 · New Castle County
Wilmington City Code Chapter 2 prohibits keeping livestock, poultry, and farm animals within most residential zones. Chickens, roosters, goats, pigs, and similar animals are not…
Wilmington Code Chapter 2 caps the number of dogs and cats per dwelling. Households exceeding the limit must obtain a kennel or multi-pet license from New Castle County Animal Services.
Wilmington does not require cats to be leashed but does require licensing and rabies vaccination under Delaware Code Title 3 and New Castle County animal rules. Outdoor and feral cats…
Animal hoarding in Wilmington is investigated jointly by code enforcement and New Castle County Animal Services. Cruelty cases proceed under Delaware Code Title 11 §1325 and Title 3…
Feeding wildlife such as deer, raccoons, and feral cats in Wilmington can trigger nuisance enforcement under Code Ch. 2 and Ch. 17 (Health). State law also prohibits feeding deer to…
Wilmington prohibits keeping dangerous wild animals as pets. Delaware state law (Del. Code Title 3 §7201 et seq.) requires permits for exotic or wild animals.
Beekeeping in Wilmington is subject to city regulations under Ch. 3 and the Delaware Dept. of Agriculture's apiary registration requirements. Urban beekeeping is possible with proper…
Wilmington requires all dogs to be leashed or otherwise controlled when off the owner's property. Dogs at large are subject to impoundment.
Wilmington has dangerous dog provisions under City Code Ch. 3. Delaware state law (Del. Code Title 3 §§7901–7951) also addresses dangerous dog declarations. No breed-specific ban…
Wilmington Code Ch. 13 (Fire) and Ch. 21 (Housing) require property owners to clear dry brush, weeds, and combustible vegetation that pose a fire hazard. Wilmington Fire Department…
Propane (LP-gas) storage in Wilmington follows the International Fire Code adopted by Delaware. Residential cylinders are capped at small quantities; larger tanks need permits from the…
Fireworks are banned in Wilmington. The city enforces a complete prohibition on consumer fireworks use, consistent with the Delaware State Fire Marshal's regulations.
Outdoor burning in Wilmington is regulated by the Fire Marshal's Office. Open burning is generally restricted in urban areas and subject to air quality regulations.
Recreational fire pits in Wilmington must comply with Fire Marshal regulations. Given the city's dense urban character, outdoor fires require permission and must meet safety clearances.
New Castle County is not a designated wildfire hazard zone. Delaware Forest Service manages forest fire risk statewide. No defensible space ordinance applies. Standard fire code (IFC)…
Delaware Code Title 16, Chapter 66, Subchapter IV (§§6631-6634) requires smoke detectors in every residential occupancy in New Castle County, including 1- and 2-family dwellings…
Wilmington's STR ordinance under Ch. 48 Section 48-104.6 distinguishes owner-occupied registrations from non-primary-residence rentals, with non-primary STRs typically restricted to…
Wilmington short-term rentals registered under Zoning Code Chapter 48 must follow occupancy caps tied to bedroom count, parking, and the building code's habitable-room standards…
Wilmington STR operators registered under Ch. 48 Section 48-104.6 are expected to carry liability coverage adequate for transient guests, since standard homeowner policies typically…
Wilmington's STR framework under Ch. 48 Section 48-104.6 differentiates hosted stays, where the operator remains on-site, from unhosted whole-home rentals, with hosted arrangements…
Wilmington's STR registration program under Ch. 48 Section 48-104.6 may impose annual night caps on unhosted whole-home rentals, especially in residential zoning districts, to limit…
Wilmington's STR program under Ch. 48 Section 48-104.6 requires hosts to register and remit applicable taxes, while platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo collect Delaware lodging tax under DE…
STR guests in Wilmington are subject to the same noise ordinance as permanent residents — 65 dB(A) daytime and 55 dB(A) nighttime limits apply.
Wilmington requires a residential property rental license and STR operator permit. Most residential zones (R1–R5) do not permit STRs; a citywide cap of 150 STR units was approved in…
STR hosts in Wilmington must collect and remit Delaware's 8% state lodging tax plus a potential 3% city lodging tax on all bookings.
STR guests in Wilmington must comply with all city parking regulations under Chapter 37. No separate STR-specific parking rules exist.
Sheds in Wilmington require permits if they exceed a certain square footage. Small utility sheds may be exempt. Sheds must comply with rear/side yard setbacks.
Carports in Wilmington are accessory structures regulated under City Code Chapter 48 (Zoning) and require a building permit from the Department of Licenses and Inspections. They must…
Delaware does not preempt local tiny-home rules, and Wilmington's City Code Chapter 48 (Zoning) treats dwellings under the standard residential district bulk regulations - there is no…
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in Wilmington are subject to zoning review under Ch. 48. The city has been updating rules to allow more infill housing, but ADUs require permits and…
Converting a garage to living space in Wilmington requires building and possibly zoning permits. The conversion must meet all habitability and building code standards.
Residential swimming pools in Wilmington require a building permit from the Department of Licenses and Inspections and must comply with the Delaware State Building Code (ICC IRC…
All swimming pools in Wilmington must be enclosed by a 48-inch minimum barrier fence with self-closing, self-latching gates, per Delaware building code requirements.
Swimming pools in Wilmington require building permits and must meet all safety standards in the adopted building codes. Pool equipment must be properly installed and maintained.
Above-ground pools in Wilmington require permits if they exceed 24 inches in depth. They must meet the same fencing and safety requirements as in-ground pools.
New Castle County requires electrical and building permits for hot tub and spa installations. 4-foot barrier or locking safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 required. GFCI protection…
Wilmington restricts parking of recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers on public streets. Long-term storage of RVs and boats in residential areas is subject to city code…
Wilmington regulates on-street parking through Chapter 37. The city has residential permit parking zones, time limits, and street cleaning schedules. Vehicles may not be left on public…
Driveways in Wilmington must be properly constructed and maintained. Permits are required for new or significantly modified driveways. Vehicles parked in driveways must not block…
Wilmington restricts parking of commercial vehicles in residential neighborhoods. Large commercial vehicles may not be stored on residential streets overnight.
Wilmington restricts overnight on-street parking 2 AM to 6 AM in posted zones and requires residential permits in many neighborhoods. Unincorporated New Castle County generally permits…
New Castle County UDC 40.04.110 prohibits storing abandoned, inoperable, or unregistered vehicles in residential zones visible from the street. Vehicles on public streets more than 72…
New Castle County requires electrical permits for Level 2 EV chargers. Delaware law (26 Del. C. §1018) preempts HOA bans on EV chargers. Public stations must meet ADA accessibility…
Fence installation in Wilmington typically requires a permit from the Department of Licenses and Inspections, especially for fences above a minimum height.
Wilmington fence height limits are set by zoning district. Typical residential limits are 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards.
Wilmington follows Delaware's common law rules on boundary fences. Neighbors share maintenance responsibility for true boundary fences; disputes may be resolved through civil court.
New Castle County regulates fence materials through the Unified Development Code (UDC), primarily Article 40 (zoning). Wood, vinyl, composite, wrought iron, and tubular steel are…
New Castle County requires 4-foot minimum pool barriers per IRC Appendix G and 16 Del. C. §3001F. Self-closing, self-latching gates mandatory. Barriers must be inspected as part of the…
New Castle County requires a building permit for retaining walls over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall. Walls supporting surcharge loads require permits at any…
Wilmington prohibits noise exceeding 65 dB(A) in residential areas from 7 AM–11 PM and 55 dB(A) from 11 PM–7 AM. Noise that targets a specific residence is separately prohibited.
Construction and power equipment noise in Wilmington must comply with the city's decibel limits. Work creating excessive noise outside normal daytime hours requires a permit exemption.
Wilmington's noise code prohibits animal noises that create a noise disturbance. Persistent barking in excess of ambient levels or that plainly disturbs neighbors violates city code.
Amplified sound in unincorporated New Castle County is regulated under NCC Code Chapter 22 (noise) and the county's special event permit process. Sound must not exceed ordinance…
New Castle County permits gas and electric leaf blower use with no statewide or county ban. Operation hours align with the county noise ordinance (NCC Code Chapter 22, Article 1)…
Aircraft operations and noise standards in Delaware are governed by federal law under the FAA, which preempts state and municipal regulation of flight paths, altitudes, and in-air…
Wilmington water use restrictions are issued as needed during drought conditions. The city's water is supplied by United Water Delaware; mandatory restrictions are declared by the…
Wilmington requires property owners to maintain grass and weeds at or below 10 inches. Violations are enforced by Code Enforcement.
Property owners in Wilmington are responsible for trimming trees on their property to prevent public nuisances. Street trees are managed by the city.
Removing trees in Wilmington may require permits, especially for street trees or in historic districts. Property owners are responsible for safe removal of hazardous trees.
New Castle County enforces weed and overgrown vegetation abatement under NCC Code Chapter 9 (property maintenance). Grass and weeds exceeding 10 to 12 inches on improved lots trigger…
New Castle County encourages native plantings through the UDC landscape manual. DNREC promotes Delaware native species. No ordinance requires native plants for single-family homes, but…
Rainwater harvesting is fully legal for residential use in New Castle County. Delaware has no state restrictions on residential collection. Rain barrels and small cisterns typically…
New Castle County permits artificial turf for residential lawns without permit. Proper drainage base required to prevent runoff onto neighbors. No state statute preempts HOA rules on…
Home occupations in Wilmington are regulated by zoning (Ch. 48). The business must be incidental to the residential use, with no exterior evidence of the business and no outside…
Home businesses in Wilmington may display only a small nameplate sign (typically not larger than 1 square foot). Commercial signage is prohibited in residential zones.
Home businesses in Wilmington must not generate customer traffic that changes the residential character of the neighborhood. Client visits are limited.
Delaware licenses family home daycares through the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL). New Castle County UDC permits licensed family daycare as a home occupation in residential…
Delaware's Cottage Food Law (16 Del. C. §134) allows home-baked goods, jams, and shelf-stable foods to be sold up to $40,000 annually. Registration with Delaware Department of Health…
Unincorporated New Castle County permits home occupations under UDC §40.03.420 (Accessory uses, residential home uses) without a discretionary permit for the basic, no-employee…
Pre-1978 Wilmington homes are presumed to contain lead-based paint. Federal RRP rules and Delaware's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act require certified contractors and…
Wilmington Code Ch. 17 (Health) and Ch. 21 (Housing) require property owners to keep buildings free of rats, roaches, and bedbugs. The Department of Licenses & Inspections handles…
Wilmington follows the Delaware-adopted International Building Code and International Fire Code. Most new multifamily and commercial construction requires automatic fire sprinklers…
Scaffolds and sidewalk sheds in Wilmington require permits from the Department of Licenses & Inspections and must comply with OSHA and the Delaware-adopted IBC. Encroachment on public…
Elevators in Wilmington buildings must be inspected and certified annually by the Delaware Department of Labor's Office of Boiler & Elevator Safety. Building owners must post valid…
Exit doors in Wilmington commercial and multifamily buildings must comply with the International Building Code and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code. Deadbolts requiring keys or tools to exit…
Wilmington childcare facilities must meet the Delaware-adopted IBC, IFC, and Office of Child Care Licensing rules under Title 14 §3001A. Building permits, fire inspections, and…
Wilmington's Climate Action Plan promotes energy-efficient construction beyond the Delaware-adopted International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). City projects often target LEED, and…
Delaware Title 25 Section 5113 partially preempts municipal rent control, leaving Wilmington unable to cap residential rent increases the way some other states permit; the city instead…
Wilmington tenants are protected primarily by the Delaware Landlord-Tenant Code at DE Title 25 Section 5101 et seq., which sets the grounds, notice periods, and procedures landlords…
Wilmington requires owners of rental dwelling units to register and obtain a rental license under the Wilmington City Code Chapter 21 Housing provisions, with periodic inspections to…
Wilmington landlords follow the statewide Delaware Landlord-Tenant Code at DE Title 25 Section 5101 et seq., which caps security deposits, requires escrow accounts for deposits held…
Delaware Title 6 Section 4603 includes source of income, including Section 8 housing-choice vouchers, as a protected class, prohibiting Wilmington landlords from refusing tenants…
Wilmington landlords must accept Section 8 housing-choice vouchers on equal terms under DE Title 6 Section 4603, with the Wilmington Housing Authority and DSHA administering vouchers…
For nonpayment, Del. Code tit. 25 § 5502 requires a written demand giving the tenant not less than 5 days to pay before termination. For a lease or rule violation, § 5513 requires at…
Del. Code tit. 25 § 5305 requires landlords to comply with applicable building and housing codes, provide a unit that does not endanger tenants' health or safety, and keep electrical…
Under Del. Code tit. 25 § 5509, a Delaware landlord must give the tenant at least 48 hours' written notice before entering a rental unit, and entry is limited to the hours between 8:00…
Del. Code tit. 25 § 5501(d) caps residential late fees at 5 percent of monthly rent and bars any late fee within 5 days of the due date. A landlord must keep an office in the county…
Either party may end a month-to-month tenancy with at least 60 days' written notice under Del. Code tit. 25 § 5106, starting the first of the next month. Section 5314 allows early…
Delaware sets no cap on rent and has no mid-term rent-increase statute. A rent change runs through the renewal mechanism of the Landlord-Tenant Code, which requires at least 60 days'…
Delaware requires 20 years of continuous adverse possession before a claimant can defeat the true owner's title under Del. Code tit. 10 § 7901. A squatter with no lease or permission…
Wilmington City Code regulates sidewalk obstruction and public conduct on streets and downtown areas under Chapter 37 Streets and Chapter 23 Misdemeanors, balancing pedestrian access…
Wilmington manages encampment sanitation through Public Works and Health under City Code Chapter 17 Health and Chapter 35 Refuse, coordinating cleanups with outreach providers in the…
Wilmington's bridge-housing and emergency-shelter ecosystem is coordinated through Housing Alliance Delaware's statewide Continuum of Care, with city land-use under Ch. 48 Zoning Code…
Wilmington landlords must keep rental units free of insect infestations, including bed bugs, under the city housing code and Delaware Landlord-Tenant Code. Treatment cost generally…
Delaware DHSS Office of Food Protection inspects Wilmington restaurants statewide rather than the city issuing letter grades. Reports are public and posted online following routine and…
Wilmington property owners must keep premises free of rat and mouse harborage under the city property maintenance and health chapters. Garbage storage rules and overgrown-lot abatement…
Used needles and syringes generated in Wilmington homes must be placed in rigid puncture-resistant containers and may not go in curbside trash or recycling. Delaware operates…
Even though Delaware legalized adult recreational possession in 2023 (HB 1 and HB 2), home cultivation of marijuana plants remains illegal statewide. Wilmington residents cannot grow…
Delaware's 2023 marijuana law allows municipalities to zone, but not ban, retail marijuana stores. Wilmington regulates dispensaries through Zoning Code Chapter 48 with locational…
Delaware sets minimum separation distances between licensed marijuana retailers and sensitive uses. Wilmington applies these state buffers through its conditional-use zoning review for…
Delaware's marijuana framework lets the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner authorize licensed delivery from retail stores. Wilmington customers must receive deliveries at private…
Delaware caps personal cannabis cultivation at zero plants. Adults 21+ may possess up to one ounce, but growing any number of plants at a Wilmington residence remains a criminal…
Delaware Code Title 7 Section 6062 bans most single-use plastic carryout bags at large retailers statewide. Wilmington stores must offer paper, reusable, or compliant alternatives…
Delaware bans expanded polystyrene foam food service containers statewide under DE 7 §6080 et seq. Wilmington restaurants and food retailers must use approved alternatives such as…
Delaware restricts food establishments from automatically distributing single-use plastic straws and stirrers. Wilmington restaurants must provide them only when a customer…
Delaware extends its on-request rule to single-use plastic utensils and condiment packets. Wilmington restaurants and delivery platforms must omit them from takeout orders unless the…
Delaware Code Title 30 Section 5301 sets the minimum age to purchase tobacco, vape, and nicotine products at 21. Wilmington retailers must check ID and refuse sales to anyone under 21.
Delaware requires a tobacco retailer license under Title 30 to sell vape and electronic smoking devices, and Wilmington retailers must also hold a city business license. Sales to…
Delaware has not enacted a statewide flavored tobacco ban, but follows federal restrictions on cartridge-based flavored e-cigarettes and prohibits sales to anyone under 21 under 30…
Wilmington enforces stormwater management standards along Brandywine Creek and Christina River drainage areas, requiring runoff controls for new construction, redevelopment, and…
Construction sites in Wilmington must implement erosion and sediment controls under Delaware's statewide program, with plan approval required before clearing, grading, or excavation in…
Wilmington's Climate Action Plan sets greenhouse gas reduction targets, resilience strategies, and municipal sustainability commitments, but most measures rely on voluntary…
Delaware caps unnecessary vehicle idling under air-quality regulations, with enforcement applying statewide including in Wilmington commercial corridors and school zones, subject to…
Parts of Wilmington lie within FEMA-designated flood zones along the Christina River, Brandywine Creek, and other waterways. Development in flood zones requires special permits and…
Grading and drainage in New Castle County are regulated through NCC Code building permits (IRC/IBC grading provisions) and the Delaware Sediment and Stormwater Program (7 Del.C…
New Castle County contains Delaware Coastal Zone Act (CZA) regulated areas along the Delaware River and Bay (7 Del.C. Chapter 70). Heavy industry is banned in the coastal zone; most…
Wilmington follows Delaware Drought Advisory protocols rather than year-round mandatory lawn-watering schedules, with voluntary conservation requested and mandatory restrictions…
Wilmington customers should report visible water main breaks, hydrant leaks, and service-line failures promptly so Public Works can dispatch crews, prevent property damage, and track…
Wilmington does not operate a residential purple-pipe recycled water system, but Delaware permits limited reclaimed-water reuse for irrigation and industrial purposes through DNREC…
Wilmington's Zoning Code (Chapter 48) establishes residential, commercial, mixed-use, and special-purpose districts, with overlay zones for historic districts, the Riverfront, and…
Wilmington's Zoning Code includes limited density and height incentives for affordable housing, mixed-income development, and Riverfront redevelopment projects, though the city lacks a…
Wilmington encourages transit-oriented development around Wilmington Station and DART First State bus corridors through planned development overlays and Riverfront access initiatives…
Wilmington tobacco and vape retailers must hold a Delaware tobacco retail license under DE 30 §5301; minimum sale age is 21 statewide. City business license also required under Chapter…
Massage therapists in Wilmington must hold a Delaware Board of Massage and Bodywork license (DE 24 Ch. 53), and establishments need a city business license under Chapter 5 of the…
Wilmington secondhand dealers and pawnshops must register with Wilmington Police, retain purchased goods for a holding period, and report transactions to assist in stolen-property…
Wilmington pawnbrokers must hold a Delaware pawnbroker license, comply with state interest-rate caps, register with Wilmington Police, and maintain transaction logs under Delaware…
Wilmington tow operators must hold a Delaware tow license, follow state rate caps under DE Title 21, register with Wilmington Police for non-consensual tows, and obtain a city business…
Wilmington maintains a growing bike lane network coordinated with DelDOT under the statewide Complete Streets policy, with rules prohibiting motor-vehicle parking or driving in marked…
Wilmington regulates dockless shared e-scooter and e-bike programs through operator agreements with the city, requiring permits, insurance, parking compliance, and adherence to state…
Wilmington's Tree Code (Chapter 44) regulates removal, planting, and maintenance of trees in public rights-of-way, parks, and certain protected areas, requiring permits before removing…
Wilmington's Tree Commission identifies notable specimens worth protection, with heightened review before removal in historic districts, parks, and the Brandywine Park landscape…
When permitted removals occur, Wilmington's Tree Code typically requires replacement plantings or in-lieu fees deposited to the urban forest fund, supporting canopy goals across…
Wilmington City Code prohibits public urination and defecation as a misdemeanor under Chapter 23, punishable by fines. Enforcement is concentrated in Riverfront, downtown, and Market…
Wilmington prohibits open containers of alcohol on public streets, sidewalks, and parks under Chapter 23. Delaware Title 4 governs statewide alcohol law; permitted festival zones may…
Wilmington loitering ordinances must satisfy state and federal constitutional standards. Delaware Title 11 §1321 covers loitering and prowling; vague Wilmington-specific loitering laws…
Delaware's Clean Indoor Air Act (DE 16 Ch. 29) bans smoking in enclosed workplaces and public places statewide. Wilmington parks and city facilities have additional smoke-free policies…
Delaware legalized adult-use cannabis (HB 1+2, 2023) but bans public consumption. Smoking or vaping cannabis in Wilmington streets, parks, vehicles, or public spaces remains a civil…
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 uniformly across Wilmington and…
Delaware's Healthy Delaware Families Act (DE 19 §3702A) created statewide paid family and medical leave, fully effective 2026. Wilmington cannot create a separate local paid-leave…
Delaware has no statewide predictive scheduling law, and local governments lack independent authority to mandate advance work schedules under the labor preemption framework of 19…
Wilmington follows Delaware HB 80 (2017) informal sanctuary protections. The Wilmington Police Department limits civil immigration cooperation with ICE; criminal investigations remain…
Delaware does not require private employers to use the federal E-Verify system, and the state has not enacted a universal employment verification mandate beyond federal Form I-9…
New Castle County bin placement rules are set primarily by private haulers and subdivision HOAs rather than county ordinance. Bins must not obstruct sidewalks, roadways, or fire…
Bulk disposal in unincorporated New Castle County is arranged through each resident's private hauler (appointment-based or monthly) or by self-hauling to Delaware Solid Waste Authority…
Delaware's Universal Recycling Law (7 Del.C. Chapter 60, §6060) requires all waste haulers to offer curbside recycling to single-family residential customers in New Castle County…
New Castle County does not provide county-wide municipal trash collection; most residents contract with private haulers such as Republic Services, Waste Management, Advanced Disposal…
New Castle County does not set a specific numerical limit on yard sales per year at the county level. Frequent or ongoing sales can trigger UDC Article 40 home occupation or unlicensed…
New Castle County does not require a permit for typical residential garage and yard sales in unincorporated areas. Signs must comply with UDC sign rules. Frequency limits apply under…
New Castle County does not set specific garage sale hour limits in unincorporated areas. Sales are constrained by the general noise ordinance (NCC Code §22.04.001), which limits…
New Castle County regulates food truck vending locations through the UDC. Trucks must operate on private property with owner permission and may require a temporary use permit for…
Food trucks operating in unincorporated New Castle County require a NCC business license plus a mobile food establishment permit from the Delaware Division of Public Health, Office of…
New Castle County regulates door-to-door solicitors under NCC Code Chapter 25 (Peddlers and Solicitors). Commercial solicitors must obtain a county solicitor permit, submit to a…
New Castle County recognizes posted No Soliciting signs as legally enforceable notice under 11 Del.C. §823 (criminal trespass). The county does not operate a centralized no-knock…
Recreational drone flight in New Castle County is governed by FAA rules (49 USC §44809 Recreational Exception) with Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation rules for state parks. New…
Commercial drone operations in New Castle County require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Operations near Wilmington Airport, New Castle County Airport, and Summit Airport…
New Castle County sets building height limits by zoning district under UDC Article 40. Residential districts typically allow 35 ft or 2.5 stories for single-family homes. Commercial…
New Castle County limits lot coverage through UDC Article 40 and associated stormwater regulations. Residential districts typically allow 30 to 50% building coverage and 60 to 70%…
New Castle County sets building setbacks through the Unified Development Code (UDC) Article 40. Setbacks vary by zoning district: NC5 (typically 25 ft front, 5 ft side, 30 ft rear)…
New Castle County does not impose a countywide snow clearance mandate on property owners for public sidewalks. The City of Wilmington requires sidewalk clearing within a set period…
New Castle County requires trash and recycling containers to be screened from street view between collection days per UDC 40.04.110. Bins may be at curb 12 hours before pickup and must…
New Castle County UDC 40.04.110 requires vacant lot owners to maintain grass under 10 inches, remove trash and debris, and secure structures. Municipal abatement with lien available…
New Castle County enforces the International Property Maintenance Code through UDC Article 40. Peeling paint, broken windows, accumulated debris, and overgrown vegetation are…
New Castle County property maintenance rules apply to yard sale conduct: merchandise must be displayed neatly, cleaned up same-day after sale hours, and signs removed within 24 hours…
New Castle County regulates outdoor lighting under UDC Article 40 lighting standards, requiring full-cutoff fixtures for new commercial and multifamily development. Residential…
New Castle County UDC Article 5 requires exterior lighting to be shielded and directed onto the property. Light trespass onto adjacent residential lots is prohibited, with 0.1…
New Castle County does not maintain a county-wide juvenile curfew for unincorporated areas. The City of Wilmington operates a juvenile curfew under Wilmington City Code (typically 11…
New Castle County parks close at sunset or posted hours under NCC Code Chapter 24 (Parks and Recreation). Delaware State Parks in the county (Brandywine Creek, White Clay Creek…
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…
Delaware's Solar Rights Act (25 Del. C. §318) limits HOA restrictions on solar panels. HOAs may impose reasonable aesthetic rules but cannot effectively prohibit installation or impose…
New Castle County UDC allows political signs on private property without permit, up to 6 sq ft in residential zones. Signs in DelDOT rights-of-way are prohibited. Removal required…
New Castle County permits temporary yard sale signs on the seller's property without permit. Off-premises directional signs are limited; placement in rights-of-way is prohibited. Signs…
New Castle County permits residential holiday decorations without permit. Displays must not obstruct sight lines or create hazards. UL-listed outdoor electrical equipment required. HOA…
Delaware issues concealed deadly weapon licenses through the Prothonotary under 11 Del.C. 1441, requiring background checks, character references, and a published notice of intent…
Delaware preempts local firearms regulation under 22 Del.C. 111, reserving most firearm laws to the state legislature with limited municipal exceptions for police, parks, and public…
Delaware generally permits open carry of firearms by individuals 18 or older without a permit, subject to location restrictions in schools, courthouses, and certain state buildings.
Delaware treats a loaded handgun in the passenger compartment of a vehicle as a concealed deadly weapon under 11 Del.C. 1442, requiring a Concealed Deadly Weapon License unless the…
Under the Delaware Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act, an association has an automatic statutory lien on a unit for unpaid assessments. That lien carries a limited super-priority…
DUCIOA requires open, noticed meetings and gives owners a right to inspect association records. Meetings need 10-60 days' notice, owners get a chance to comment, voting and proxies are…
A Delaware association enforces its declaration, bylaws, and rules through the powers in 25 Del. C. § 81-302, including design and construction rules under § 81-320. Remedies run from…
DUCIOA lets a Delaware association levy fines for violations of the declaration, bylaws, or rules, but only after notice and an opportunity to be heard, and only if the fine is…
Delaware law overrides certain HOA restrictions. A separate statute voids covenants that prohibit or unreasonably restrict solar systems, while DUCIOA § 81-320 bars rules banning the…
Delaware preserves agricultural land through 3 Del.C. Chapter 9 Agricultural Lands Preservation, restricting nonfarm zoning encroachments and supporting county agricultural districts…
Delaware shields agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits under 3 Del.C. 1401, protecting farms operating consistently with generally accepted agricultural practices for at least…