Administrative overview · FIPS 10003
New Castle County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
New Castle County Department of Land Use, Office of Inspections
For a project in or near New Castle County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
(302) 395-5400 permits/planning; (302) 395-5572 inspections; (302) 395-5555 code enforcement
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
New Castle County Government Center, 87 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Review expectation
N/A; ePlans provides prescreen review, simultaneous discipline review, correction cycles, final review, and email status notifications, but no standard county timeline was published.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for New Castle County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
New Castle County Department of Land Use, Office of Inspections is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact (302) 395-5400 permits/planning; (302) 395-5572 inspections; (302) 395-5555 code enforcement.
How long might review take?
N/A; ePlans provides prescreen review, simultaneous discipline review, correction cycles, final review, and email status notifications, but no standard county timeline was published.
How are inspections scheduled?
Schedule, reschedule, or cancel inspections through the New Castle County inspection website, which provides 24/7 access, inspection results, notifications, assigned-inspector information, and estimated inspection time. Inspection questions: (302) 395-5572.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
2024 International Building Code, 2024 International Residential Code, 2024 International Existing Building Code, and 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code with New Castle County amendments, effective January 1, 2026. Electrical inspections are regulated by the State of Delaware; the county also enforces applicable county utility and fire-code provisions. Most construction, improvements, alterations, and repairs require a permit unless specifically exempted by Chapter 6. Listed exempt examples include non-fixed movable fixtures, cases, racks and counters; painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work. Electrical work is not permitted or inspected by the county and instead follows state requirements.