Wilmington building department

The Land Use Division of Wilmington’s Department of Land Use and Planning (LU&P) is the city’s main contact for building permits and development review. It reviews plans, issues permits, and inspects work for building code compliance. It also enforces zoning (Chapter 48 of the City Code), staffs the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and reviews work in historic districts. The office is on the 3rd floor of the Louis L. Redding City/County Building, 800 N. French Street. Wilmington issues its own permits. New Castle County’s Department of Land Use covers only unincorporated areas.

What needs a permit

Wilmington requires a permit for:

• New structures
• Changes to existing structures, including demolition
• Repairs, including electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work

The city’s building permit guidelines say you must get the permit before starting any work. They also require using only tradespeople licensed in the City of Wilmington. Chapter 4 of the City Code (Buildings and Building Regulations) decides when a project needs full plans or a plot plan.

Applying

Email the application and plans to [email protected]. The city publishes separate application forms for:

• Building permits
• Heating or air conditioning permits
• Plumbing permits
• Mobile food vendors

It also publishes permit intake requirements, a utility sign-off sheet, and development standards for the waterfront zoning districts. Sewer permits come from the Department of Public Works. Approved plans are stamped “Reviewed and Accepted,” and one set is returned to the owner or agent. That set must stay on the job site until work is finished.

Review timelines

Project size	Construction value	Typical LU&P review
Small	Under $99,999	1 week
Moderate	$100,000–$999,999	2 weeks
Major	$1,000,000 or more	4 weeks

These times cover only LU&P’s own review. The clock starts once an application is complete, and it pauses while the city waits for missing information.

The Fire Marshal’s Office (302-573-7701) and Public Works (302-571-4579) do separate reviews that aren’t counted in these timelines. A permit can’t be issued until every required review is done. Review also pauses for any project that needs a decision from the City Planning Commission, the Zoning Board of Adjustment, or the Design Review and Preservation Commission.

Adopted codes

City Council approved these codes on October 3, 2019, effective October 4, 2019:

• 2018 International Building Code
• 2018 International Residential Code
• 2018 International Mechanical Code
• 2018 International Plumbing Code

The city’s adoption ordinance contains local amendments. Existing buildings are also covered by the city’s Existing Building Rehabilitation Code (Chapter 4, Section 4-191). Fire protection follows Chapter 12 of the City Code and the Delaware State Fire Prevention Regulations. LU&P publishes short code interpretations on protected-frame (5A) construction, stair risers and treads in existing buildings, and elevator shafts in existing buildings.

Historic and conservation districts

Wilmington has 12 City Historic Districts plus Neighborhood Conservation Districts, all of them historic overlay zones. In these areas, building permits are issued only for plans approved through design review. The review covers:

• Changes to design or materials, including windows and doors. In-kind replacements must also be approved before permitting.
• Rehabilitation, renovation, and restoration
• Fencing and major landscape changes

Start by submitting the building permit application together with a Design Review application. Include a narrative, plans or specifications, and photos of current conditions. Staff can approve in-kind repairs, maintenance, and work that meets pre-set criteria, and they issue a Certificate of Appropriateness memo. Everything else goes to the seven-member Design Review and Preservation Commission (DRPC). The DRPC usually meets on the third Wednesday of each month, and a complete application must be accepted at least three weeks before the meeting. Reviewable work done without a permit and DRPC approval can bring financial penalties. Qualifying rehabilitation projects may be eligible for state and federal historic tax credits and a city tax abatement.

Inspections and permit search

The city’s permit guidelines say to schedule inspections 48 hours in advance. The Application, Permit & Inspection Search portal (Tyler Munis self-service) shows applications, issued permits, permit status, and inspection results. Pay permit bills through the city’s online payments page.

Related offices

• Licenses and Inspections (302-576-4423) runs the Residential Rental Property program. Rental owners need an annual rental license and must pass interior and exterior inspections. Owners who live outside New Castle County must hire a property manager licensed in Wilmington. Vacant properties must be registered with the city.
• Wilmington 311: dial 311 inside city limits or (302) 576-2620 from outside. Operators are on duty Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.