Newark building department

Newark’s Code Enforcement Division (part of the Planning and Development Department) issues building, trade, sign, elevator, and rental permits and performs construction and fire-code inspections inside city limits. Land Use and Planning reviews every building permit and certificate of occupancy for zoning compliance.

City or county permit?

Look up the address in the New Castle County parcel search first. The city’s permit application states that if the parcel number begins with “18”, the permit comes from the City of Newark; otherwise, apply to New Castle County.

What needs a permit

The city’s Building Permits page and FAQ say that any building, installing, adding, changing, replacing, repairing, or demolishing project needs a permit. Examples it lists:

• New houses and buildings, driveways, deck or patio roofs and covers, garages, chimneys, pools, tool and storage sheds, and fences
• HVAC systems, supply or exhaust hoods, water heaters, furnaces, and boilers
• Added circuits or electrical service changes
• Rooms, dormers, bay windows, and changes to floor plans or wall openings
• Converting a porch, garage, or basement into living or sleeping space
• Structural repair after water or termite damage; roofing and siding may also need a permit

The division’s Guide to Building Permits also lists decks, sidewalks, new or replacement steps, re-roofs, basement finishing, and sewer, water, and fire-line work. It names only a few exemptions: painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep; and playground equipment at a single-family home.

Adopted codes and the sprinkler requirement

Newark has adopted the 2018 International Building, Existing Building, Residential, Energy Conservation, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, and Fire Codes. It also enforces the 2009 International Property Maintenance Code, the Delaware State Fire Prevention Code, and NFPA standards. Local amendments are in Chapter 7 (Buildings) of the city code.

A city amendment requires an approved fire suppression system in all new buildings, residential and commercial. Changing an existing building’s use group (for example, residential to any other use, or mercantile to business) may also trigger sprinklers. Code Enforcement houses the Fire Marshal, who answers sprinkler questions.

How to apply

Applications start in the city’s Tyler EnerGov self-service portal, which is linked from the Building Permits page. After you submit the form, email the supporting documents as PDFs to [email protected]:

• An active City of Newark contractor license (not needed if the owner is doing the work)
• A signed proposal or contract between contractor and owner. The application says “no exceptions.”
• 3 copies of the building plans when applicable (add-ins, moved walls, drains, outlets), plus a digital copy
• A site plan or survey for exterior work

The application says permits take one to two weeks to process. Once a permit is approved, the city emails payment instructions and next steps.

Plan requirements for larger projects

The city’s Data Required for Building Permit Processing sheet asks for the following:

• New construction: two complete sets of construction drawings, drawn to scale and sealed. Include use group, height and area calculations, construction type, design loads, architectural and structural plans, reflected ceiling plans, plumbing risers with fixture counts, fire protection drawings, and HVAC layout.
• New subdivisions needing addresses: twelve sealed site plans.
• Additions and alterations: two sets of floor plans plus seven site plans showing existing and proposed setbacks and lot coverage.

Commercial plans must be sealed. Residential plans need a seal only if the Code Enforcement Officer requires one. For new homes, a sealed as-built foundation survey is required after foundations are poured and before framing begins.

Driveways and walkways

Driveways and private walkways are inspected before concrete or blacktop goes down. The city’s specifications:

• Concrete driveways: 4-inch minimum, 3,500 PSI concrete, expansion joints at least every 20 feet
• Concrete walks: 4-inch minimum, 3,500 PSI concrete
• Asphalt driveways: 2-inch minimum Type “C” over 5½ inches of crusher run or 7 inches of quarry waste

Fees (2026 schedule, effective January 1, 2026)

Item	Fee
Building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, elevator, fire protection, sign permits	$15 per $1,000 of value up to $1,000,000; $8 per $1,000 above that; $50 minimum
Plan review	$1 per $1,000 of value ($25 min, $5,000 max); 50% of the original fee (min $20) for third and later submissions
Technology fee	15% of the building permit fee, up to $4,000
Demolition	$250 + $5 per 1,000 sq ft
Return inspection for incomplete work	$150
Certificate of occupancy, single-family dwelling	$150
Certificate of occupancy, multifamily (per unit)	$125
Temporary CO (90 days)	$500
Contractor’s license	$100

The schedule also adds a volunteer fire service assistance fund charge of one-half of 1% of construction value, applied to the first $5,000,000 of value.

Inspections and certificates of occupancy

The Guide to Building Permits assigns each permit to one Code Enforcement Officer who reviews the plans and inspects the job from start to finish. Keep the approved plans on site. Typical inspections, in order:

1. Footings and foundation
2. Waterproofing and perimeter drain
3. Underground piping and slab
4. As-built foundation survey approval
5. Rough electrical, sprinkler, fire alarm, plumbing, and mechanical
6. Framing and fire stopping
7. Insulation
8. Finals, including grading and seeding, and sprinkler and alarm testing

The application form asks you to name an electrical inspection agency.

Submit a certificate of occupancy application at least 10 business days before the requested move-in date. Include seven copies of the as-built site plan; for a new single-family home, also include a copy of the home warranty. A building cannot be occupied until the code official issues the CO.

Contractor and business licenses

Anyone doing construction, renovation, or repair for pay in Newark needs a city contractor’s license. That includes window installers, electricians, plumbers, painters, and handymen. Owners doing their own work don’t need one, but they still need the permit. For new licenses, email [email protected]. Code Enforcement’s office on the second floor of 220 South Main Street is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Zoning and floodplain

Before applying, the guide advises checking your property’s zoning district, whether your use is permitted, the required setbacks, and whether the site is in the floodplain. Land Use and Planning handles these questions and administers the National Flood Insurance Program locally. It also handles variances (through the Board of Adjustment), special use permits, rezonings, subdivisions, and annexations.