Building permits in New Castle County, Delaware
Of the 13 common home projects we have verified in New Castle County, 5 need a permit outright and 8 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
By Mario Bailey Last checked · 2 official sources
Verified against official sources- Project types verified
- 13
- in New Castle County
New Castle County Department of Land Use
- New Castle County Government Center, 87 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720
- Phone: 302-395-5400
- Email: permits@newcastlede.gov
- Official permit page
- Permit portal
- Official fee schedule
Look up a permit in New Castle County
New Castle County runs an online permit portal. Many local portals let you check application status, search permit records, and view inspection results without calling the office.
What needs a permit in New Castle County
Of the 13 common home projects we have verified in New Castle County, 5 need a permit outright and 8 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom Remodel Permit | It depends | Finish work (tiling, cabinets, counter tops) and in-place fixture reinstallation are exempt; new or moved plumbing, walls or circuits are not | 11/04/2025): "Building Permit Fee: $12 per $1,000 of Valuation ($142 Minimum)"... |
| Deck Permit | It depends | Floor area of a free-standing deck no more than 30 inches above grade and not adjacent to or attached to the dwelling | 11/04/2025): "Building Permit Fee: $12 per $1,000 of Valuation ($142 Minimum)"... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Any size | See schedule |
| EV Charger Permit | Permit required | Any size | See schedule |
| Fence Permit | It depends | Only fences that serve as swimming pool barriers need a permit | Not published |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...6 Schedule of Permit and Review Fees, as amended through January 1, 2026): $5.25... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Height of a non-structural slab, patio or decorative hardscaping at any point | Not published |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...6 Schedule of Permit and Review Fees, as amended through January 1, 2026): $5.25... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | Pool, spa or hot tub wall height; any pool designed to connect to a circulation system needs a permit regardless of height | 11/04/2025): "Building Permit Fee: $12 per $1,000 of Valuation ($142 Minimum)"... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | Share of the roof sheathing repaired or replaced during a re-roof | 11/04/2025): "Building Permit Fee: $12 per $1,000 of Valuation ($142 Minimum)"... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | Floor area of a one-story detached accessory structure with an eave height of 10 feet or less and overall height of 20 feet or less; garages never qualify | 11/04/2025): "Building Permit Fee: $12 per $1,000 of Valuation ($142 Minimum)"... |
| Solar Permit | It depends | Rooftop panels on a one- or two-family dwelling are exempt from the County building permit; electrical work still goes through the State | Not published |
| Water Heater Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...6 Schedule of Permit and Review Fees, as amended through January 1, 2026): $5.25... |
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New Castle County permit fees compared with nearby Delaware localities
| Delaware locality | Deck Permit | HVAC Permit | Electrical Permit |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Castle County | 11/04/2025): "Building Permit Fee: $12 per $1,000 of... | ...Fees, as amended through January 1, 2026): $5.25 for... | See schedule |
| Sussex County | ...construction value (table rates such as $128.10/sq ft... | ...construction value (table rates such as $128.10/sq ft... | See schedule |
Each cell is the opening clause of that Delaware jurisdiction's own fee schedule; the full wording and source sit on each permit page.
New Castle County permit questions, answered from the data
- Do you need a permit in New Castle County?
- For most projects, yes. Of the 13 permit types we have verified for New Castle County, 5 always require a permit (for example an electrical permit), 8 depend on size or scope (a bathroom remodel permit, for instance). Each New Castle County permit type's page states the exact rule and its source.
- How much does a permit cost in New Castle County?
- New Castle County publishes a fee for 10 of the 13 permit types we cover, each quoted on its page from the jurisdiction's own schedule (linked on every page that carries one). Fees are set by New Castle County Department of Land Use; we do not estimate or mark them up.
- Where do you apply for a permit in New Castle County?
- New Castle County Department of Land Use issues permits in New Castle County, with an online portal for applications, plan uploads and status checks, and takes questions at 302-395-5400. The New Castle County official page and portal are linked in the office section above.
How the New Castle County pages were verified. 13 permit types, 5 distinct official sources, most recently checked . Every rule is read from New Castle County Department of Land Use or the applicable code and cited on its page; anything we could not confirm for New Castle County is marked rather than estimated. How we verify.