County or city?
Many northern Delaware communities, including Claymont, Greenville and Hockessin, aren't incorporated towns, so New Castle County's Department of Land Use handles their building and zoning permits. Wilmington and Newark are cities with their own code offices.
Unincorporated areas (e.g. Claymont, Greenville, Hockessin)
- Who to check with
- New Castle County Department of Land Use
Inside Wilmington city limits
- Who to check with
- City of Wilmington
Inside Newark city limits
- Who to check with
- City of Newark
| Where the property is | Who to check with |
|---|---|
| Unincorporated areas (e.g. Claymont, Greenville, Hockessin) | New Castle County Department of Land Use |
| Inside Wilmington city limits | City of Wilmington |
| Inside Newark city limits | City of Newark |
Sources: New Castle County, City of Wilmington, City of Newark
Pool fences
If the fence will enclose a pool, it's a safety barrier with its own rules on height, gaps and self-closing, self-latching gates. New Castle County publishes its own pool barrier requirements; check them, or your city's, before planning the fence.
Questions to ask before you build
We couldn't find published fence height limits for the county or the cities to quote here, so ask the right office directly:
- Is a permit needed for this fence, and for replacing an old one?
- What are the height limits in the front, side and rear yards?
- How far back from the property line, sidewalk or road does it need to be?
- Are there extra rules for corner lots or easements?
- Does your homeowners association or deed have its own fence rules?
Call 811 before digging
Delaware requires notifying Miss Utility (811) at least two full working days, and no more than ten, before digging, including post holes. Don't dig until every utility has responded, and in Delaware no powered equipment within 24 inches of the marks.
Sources: Miss Utility of Delmarva: homeowners
