Where do you apply for a shed permit in Sussex County?

You can apply through the Sussex County permit portal or contact the Sussex County Building Permit Office and Building Code Office directly. The links are listed on this page.

Can a homeowner pull a shed permit themselves in Sussex County?

Under Delaware law (9 Del. C. 6302(b); 9 Del. C. 4402(b); 24 Del. C. 1417; 24 Del. C. 1807(c)(2); 24 Del. C. 1820(c)(2); 16 Del. C. 7906(c)): Yes. Delaware homeowners may pull permits and do their own work, with trade-specific conditions. Sussex County's statute expressly lets any owner who wants to do their own work on their own building get a permit, and Kent County issues permits in the owner's name. For electrical work, a homeowner wiring their own home that is not for sale or rent must get a homeowner's permit from the Board of Electrical Examiners and pass a final inspection; swimming pools and hot tubs are excluded. Homeowners may do their own plumbing and HVACR work (but not gas piping) in their own home that is not for sale, rent or lease, and for plumbing must file a permit application with the inspection authority. Confirm how Sussex County applies this before you apply.

Delaware / Sussex County

Shed Permit in Sussex County, Delaware

Permit required

Yes, a permit is required

Before placing or building any shed.

Confirmed on official page Verified 3 Oct 2026

Issued bySussex County Building Permit Office and Building Code Office

By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources

Quick answer

Sussex County requires a county permit for all sheds, pre-built and site built, with no size exemption. Size changes which review applies: sheds 400 sq ft or larger follow the plan requirements for additions and garages, while sheds under 400 sq ft only need a final zoning inspection.

Who is pulling this permit?

Apply yourself

Apply on the Sussex County permit portal

Hire it out

When a permit is usually needed

Before placing or building any shed.

What a shed permit costs in Sussex County

Line itemAmountApplies to

shed permitBy formulaSussex County Building Permit Fee Guide: construction value (table rates such as $128.10/sq ft residential, $52.23/sq ft garage or pole building, $23.36/sq ft unfinished area such as a deck, porch or shed, or actual value if not listed); building permit fee for property outside town limits is $5.00 for the first $1,000 of construction value and $2.50 for each additional $1,000; plus a Fire District Fee of .0015 of construction value; plus a School Surcharge of $5.00 per $1,000 on permits with a construction value of $150,000 or above. Where the Building Code Office reviews and inspects, a separate plan review and inspection fee applies (schedule effective July 1, 2026): Residential Projects under 1,000 SF $120 base covering 5 inspections, $60 per inspection after the initial 5.

Fee schedule in forceOfficial scheduleRead 3 Oct 2026. Fees are the jurisdiction’s; we do not mark them up or estimate them.

How to apply in Sussex County

In Sussex County, a residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing.

What most shed permit applications include:

For Sussex County, a written permit application identifying the proposed work and describing the property by its address or legal description, filed with the building department before construction begins (IRC R105.3).
For Sussex County, a scaled site plan showing the shed's size and location and its dimensioned distances to all property lines so required setbacks can be verified before the permit is issued (IRC R106.2).
Construction documents showing the shed's foundation: freestanding accessory structures at or under the code's small-structure size and eave-height limits (600 square feet and a 10 foot eave height in the model code) are exempt from continuous footings but must still be shown supported on undisturbed soil or engineered fill and anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1).
Where the shed does sit on a continuous foundation with a wood sill plate, anchor bolt or approved strap details tying the sill plate to the foundation (IRC R403.1.6).
Roof framing details showing the rafter-to-wall or truss-to-wall connections, since even a shed exempt from continuous footings must be anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1; R802.11).

General submittal guidance from IRC R105.3 (permit application), R106.2 (site plan), R403.1 (footings and anchorage for accessory structures), and R403.1.6 (sill anchorage), 2021 IRC. Source. Sussex County Building Permit Office and Building Code Office sets the exact checklist for Sussex County.

Where to apply in Sussex County:

Sussex County Building Permit Office and Building Code Office

2 The Circle, P.O. Box 589, Georgetown, DE 19947
Phone: (302) 855-7720
Email: buildinginspections@sussexcountyde.gov

Shed Permit in Sussex County compared with nearby Delaware localities

Locality	Permit needed?	Threshold	What each Delaware schedule says	Verified
Sussex County	Permit required	Any size	...County Building Permit Fee Guide: construction value (table rates such as...	3 Oct 2026
New Castle County	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)"...	3 Oct 2026

Inspections and closing out your permit

In Sussex County, a permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.

Foundation or anchor inspection in Sussex County: called after any required footings, piers, or ground anchors are set and any forms or reinforcing steel are in place, but before concrete is placed, so the foundation or anchoring system can be verified before it is covered (IRC R109.1.1).
Frame inspection in Sussex County: after the shed is framed, sheathed, and braced, the inspector checks the framing, bracing, fasteners, and the roof connections that resist wind uplift, before those elements are covered (IRC R109.1.4 frame inspection; R403.1 anchorage).
Final inspection in Sussex County: made after the permitted work is complete and before the shed is used; work may not proceed past any inspection stage without the building official's approval (IRC R109.1.6 final inspection; R109.4 approval required).
In Sussex County: for a pre-fabricated or kit shed, the manufacturer's installation instructions must be on site at the time of inspection so the inspector can confirm the anchoring and assembly match the design (IRC R106.1.2).

Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Sussex County permit portal or by phone at (302) 855-7720.

Inspection sequence from IRC R109.1.1 (foundation inspection), R109.1.4 (frame inspection), R109.1.6 (final inspection), and R106.1.2 (manufacturer's instructions on site), 2021 IRC. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.

Your Shed Permit checklist for Sussex County

Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: Before placing or building any shed.
Budget the fee. Sussex County Building Permit Fee Guide: construction value (table rates such as $128.10/sq ft residential, $52.23/sq ft garage or pole building, $23.36/sq ft unfinished area such as a deck, porch or shed, or actual value if not listed); building permit fee for property outside town limits is $5.00 for the first $1,000 of construction value and $2.50 for each additional $1,000; plus a Fire District Fee of .0015 of construction value; plus a School Surcharge of $5.00 per $1,000 on permits with a construction value of $150,000 or above. Where the Building Code Office reviews and inspects, a separate plan review and inspection fee applies (schedule effective July 1, 2026): Residential Projects under 1,000 SF $120 base covering 5 inspections, $60 per inspection after the initial 5. Official fee schedule.
Apply. In Sussex County, a residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing. Start at the Sussex County permit portal.
Keep the office details handy. Sussex County Building Permit Office and Building Code Office. Phone: (302) 855-7720. Address: 2 The Circle, P.O. Box 589, Georgetown, DE 19947.
Plan for inspections. In Sussex County, a permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.

Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked 3 Oct 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a shed permit in Sussex County?: Sussex County requires a county permit for all sheds, pre-built and site built, with no size exemption. Size changes which review applies: sheds 400 sq ft or larger follow the plan requirements for additions and garages, while sheds under 400 sq ft only need a final zoning inspection. Always confirm with the Sussex County Building Permit Office and Building Code Office before starting.
How much does a shed permit cost in Sussex County?: Sussex County Building Permit Fee Guide: construction value (table rates such as $128.10/sq ft residential, $52.23/sq ft garage or pole building, $23.36/sq ft unfinished area such as a deck, porch or shed, or actual value if not listed); building permit fee for property outside town limits is $5.00 for the first $1,000 of construction value and $2.50 for each additional $1,000; plus a Fire District Fee of .0015 of construction value; plus a School Surcharge of $5.00 per $1,000 on permits with a construction value of $150,000 or above. Where the Building Code Office reviews and inspects, a separate plan review and inspection fee applies (schedule effective July 1, 2026): Residential Projects under 1,000 SF $120 base covering 5 inspections, $60 per inspection after the initial 5. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
Where do you apply for a shed permit in Sussex County?: You can apply through the Sussex County permit portal or contact the Sussex County Building Permit Office and Building Code Office directly. The links are listed on this page.
Can a homeowner pull a shed permit themselves in Sussex County?: Under Delaware law (9 Del. C. 6302(b); 9 Del. C. 4402(b); 24 Del. C. 1417; 24 Del. C. 1807(c)(2); 24 Del. C. 1820(c)(2); 16 Del. C. 7906(c)): Yes. Delaware homeowners may pull permits and do their own work, with trade-specific conditions. Sussex County's statute expressly lets any owner who wants to do their own work on their own building get a permit, and Kent County issues permits in the owner's name. For electrical work, a homeowner wiring their own home that is not for sale or rent must get a homeowner's permit from the Board of Electrical Examiners and pass a final inspection; swimming pools and hot tubs are excluded. Homeowners may do their own plumbing and HVACR work (but not gas piping) in their own home that is not for sale, rent or lease, and for plumbing must file a permit application with the inspection authority. Confirm how Sussex County applies this before you apply.

From the Library

What else needs a permit in Sussex County

Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.

Project	Permit needed?	Threshold	Typical fee
Bathroom Remodel Permit	It depends	Cosmetic finishes and like-for-like fixture swaps versus renovation, relocated or added plumbing, or new electrical work	...County Building Permit Fee Guide: construction value (table rates such as...
Deck Permit	Permit required	Any size	...County Building Permit Fee Guide: construction value (table rates such as...
Electrical Permit	Permit required	Any size	See schedule
EV Charger Permit	Permit required	Any size	See schedule
Fence Permit	Permit required	Any size	...County Building Permit Fee Guide: construction value (table rates such as...
HVAC Permit	It depends	Replacement of existing equipment versus a new installation or additional unit	...County Building Permit Fee Guide: construction value (table rates such as...
Patio Permit	Permit required	Any size	...County Building Permit Fee Guide: construction value (table rates such as...
Plumbing Permit	Permit required	Any size	Division of Public Health: $100 per plumbing permit (covers 3 inspections)
Pool Permit	Permit required	Any size	...County Building Permit Fee Guide: construction value (table rates such as...
Roof Replacement Permit	It depends	Permit applies when the job includes structural sheathing or a change in roofing material	...County Building Permit Fee Guide: construction value (table rates such as...
Solar Permit	Permit required	Any size	...County Building Permit Fee Guide: construction value (table rates such as...
Water Heater Permit	It depends	Replacement of an existing water heater versus a new or relocated one	DPH plumbing permit $100 when one is required

Shed Permit in other Delaware localities

New Castle County

Everything above, sourced

sussexcountyde.gov: building permits and licensesread 3 Oct 2026

sussexcountyde.gov: CountyRequirements Permittingread 3 Oct 2026

Code references

National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Sussex County documents; the office above sets the local rules.

How this shed permit page for Sussex County was verified. 2 official sources: sussexcountyde.gov, sussexcountyde.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked 3 Oct 2026 by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Sussex County Building Permit Office and Building Code Office. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.

Last checked: 3 Oct 2026Report an error on this page

Compare Shed Permit requirements across Delaware localities

Shed permit rules nationwide