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New Castle County

New Castle County Department of Land Use

In short

New Castle County Department of Land Use issues 8 permits we publish for New Castle County, last verified 2026-10-12. Each carries the fee as the agency publishes it, with a link to the schedule it was read from.

What this agency issues

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Temporary Commercial Outdoor Sales and Restaurant Seating Use Permitonly if it applies to youNew Castle County Department of Land UseThe permit fee is charged at application; contact the Department of Land Use, 302-395-5400, for the current amount.valid for no more than 120 consecutive days and renewable (UDC §40.03.329(A)(1))2026-10-12
Temporary Miscellaneous Sales Permit (sales from trucks or a temporary outdoor or tented sales area)only if it applies to youNew Castle County Department of Land UseThe permit fee is charged at application; contact the Department of Land Use, 302-395-5400, for the current amount.not to exceed 30 consecutive calendar days; a property may be used a total of four times per calendar year for temporary miscellaneous sales (UDC §40.03.331(A))2026-10-12
Temporary Public Interest and Special Events Permitonly if it applies to youNew Castle County Department of Land UseThe permit fee is charged at application; contact the Department of Land Use, 302-395-5400, for the current amount.each event may last no longer than 14 days, no more than six times per year (UDC §40.03.330(B))2026-10-12
Closing-Out Sale License (Going Out of Business Sale permit)only if it applies to youNew Castle County Department of Land UseCounty Code §8.02.001(B): $25 for a period not exceeding 30 days; $50 for a period not exceeding 60 days; $75 for a period not exceeding 90 days; plus $5.00 for each $1,000 (or fraction thereof) of inventory submitted with the application.up to 90 days, valid only for the sale in the manner, time and place set out in the application (§8.02.001(B), §8.02.003)2026-10-12
Permit Endorsed Contractor License (building Class U, A, B, C and utility contractors)only if it applies to youNew Castle County Department of Land Use$400 per license category (Chapter 6 Appendix 7: "For Building Contractors....$400 per license category", Class U, A, B, C; "For Utility Contractors....$400 per license category"). The 2026 Building and Utility Contractor Requirements sheets state: "The total fee for the 2026 license is $410: License Fee - $400 ICC Digital Code Access Fee - $10". Working without a contractor's license: $400 plus the applicable license fee; re-application fee: three times the current contractor license fee (Appendix 7).license period January 1, 2026 to January 1, 2027 (2026 Statutory Compliance Bond, Chapter 6 Appendix 4); renewed each license year2026-10-12
Non-Permit Endorsed Contractor License (NAICS Sector 23 work that needs no permit)only if it applies to youNew Castle County Department of Land UseBy number of employees of the business entity (2026 application; Chapter 6 Appendix 7): no employees (sole proprietor) to five employees $150; six to ten employees $250; eleven or more employees $400.2026 license, renewed each license year; the county's 2026 license period runs January 1, 2026 to January 1, 2027 (Chapter 6 Appendix 4)2026-10-12
Building Permit with Zoning Review and Certificate of Occupancy (commercial fit-out, renovation, new construction; mechanical, plumbing and sign permits)only if it applies to youNew Castle County Department of Land UseBuilding permit valuation fee: $12 per $1,000 of valuation up to $1,000,000, then $5.25 per additional $1,000 over $1,000,000; minimum $60. Zoning review fee: 10% of the permit valuation fee (minimum $21, maximum $145). Certificate of Occupancy: $60. Mechanical or plumbing permit: $5.25 per $1,000 of valuation, minimum $65. Sign permit: $1.00 per square foot of sign area, minimum $90, plus zoning review at 10% (minimum $21, maximum $145). (Chapter 6 Schedule of Permit and Review Fees; per-$1,000 basis as stated on the county's Tenant Fit-Out requirement sheet, REV. 4/13/2026.) A NCC Volunteer Fire Assistance Fund fee is also charged with the building permit.§6.03 permit timetable: non-residential new construction and additions must start within 180 days and be completed within 1 year; non-residential tenant fit-outs must start within 45 days and be completed within 180 days; signs, HVAC and plumbing must start within 30 days and be completed within 90 days; work suspended or abandoned for 30 days voids the permit; written extensions of up to 180 days each may be granted ($80 per extension)2026-10-12
Certificate of Use (opening a business or changing the use of an existing structure without construction)only if it applies to youNew Castle County Department of Land Use$50 per certificate of use ("Certificate of Use Fee: $50", Certificate of Use Permit Requirements, REV. 04/25/2025; Chapter 6 Appendix 7 "Certificate of Use....$50*"); a site plan review fee applies if a zoning certification is requiredone-time, for the use of the structure; a new certificate is needed when the business use changes2026-10-12

Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.

About each permit

Temporary Commercial Outdoor Sales and Restaurant Seating Use Permit

The county's Use Permits and Temporary Events page states: "A Temporary Commercial Outdoor Sales Use Permit is required for existing commercial sites to display and sell its merchandise and serve food or beverages outdoors." Unified Development Code §40.03.329 (UDC as amended through October 1, 2026) permits any lawfully existing commercial use to display and sell its merchandise and serve food or beverages outdoors only under limited conditions: owners must obtain a limited use permit for all such temporary outdoor uses, "The permit shall be valid for no more than one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days and is renewable", and permits may be revoked under a State of Emergency declaration. No display, sales, seating or parking is permitted in any street right-of-way unless approved by DelDOT, nothing may obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic, and all temporary structures for display, sales or dining must meet the minimum yard setbacks of the zoning district. The permit fee is charged at application; the Department of Land Use (302-395-5400) gives the current amount. New Castle County Code §6.01.001 states that Chapter 6 "shall apply to the unincorporated territory of New Castle County, Delaware, and may apply to incorporated municipalities if by appropriate action of its governing body, any such governing body elects to be included in its application. Such jurisdictions are defined in Appendix 6 of this Chapter." The county's Contractor Licensing page states: "Any properties that are incorporated in a specific property tax area are not New Castle County's jurisdiction."

Temporary Miscellaneous Sales Permit (sales from trucks or a temporary outdoor or tented sales area)

The county's Use Permits and Temporary Events page states: "A Temporary Miscellaneous Sales permit is required to transport goods to a retail use and sell the merchandise from truck(s) or a temporary outdoor or tented sales area." Unified Development Code §40.03.331 (UDC as amended through October 1, 2026) requires a limited use permit for all temporary miscellaneous sales, valid for a period not to exceed thirty consecutive calendar days, and a property may be used a total of four times per calendar year for such sales. A copy of the DelDOT entrance/exit permit or waiver and a copy of a valid State of Delaware vendor license issued to the applicant must be attached to the application; a permit is required for any security trailer or shed; no open fires are allowed; no display, sales or parking is permitted in any street right-of-way; display areas must meet the yard setbacks; and the site must be cleared within five days after the permit expires. Sales of agricultural products are permitted in 60-day increments up to 240 calendar days. The permit fee is charged at application; the Department of Land Use (302-395-5400) gives the current amount. New Castle County Code §6.01.001 states that Chapter 6 "shall apply to the unincorporated territory of New Castle County, Delaware, and may apply to incorporated municipalities if by appropriate action of its governing body, any such governing body elects to be included in its application. Such jurisdictions are defined in Appendix 6 of this Chapter." The county's Contractor Licensing page states: "Any properties that are incorporated in a specific property tax area are not New Castle County's jurisdiction."

Temporary Public Interest and Special Events Permit

The county's Use Permits and Temporary Events page states that a Temporary Public Interest and Special Events permit "is required for events such as outdoor gatherings, auctions, art sales, flower/plant and holiday tree sales, bake sales, outdoor concerts, carnivals, circuses, outdoor religious meetings, and special entertainment at commercial properties." Unified Development Code §40.03.330 (UDC as amended through October 1, 2026) requires a limited use permit for temporary special events; the activity is limited to no more than six times per year, and each event shall last no longer than fourteen days. Non-profit and charitable organisations submit only an information sheet. No display, sales or parking is permitted in any street right-of-way, display areas and temporary structures must meet the yard setbacks, and required parking for the primary use may not be displaced except on lots of at least 500 spaces where the applicant shows sufficient parking. A business holding such an event on its commercial property needs this permit. The permit fee is charged at application; the Department of Land Use (302-395-5400) gives the current amount. New Castle County Code §6.01.001 states that Chapter 6 "shall apply to the unincorporated territory of New Castle County, Delaware, and may apply to incorporated municipalities if by appropriate action of its governing body, any such governing body elects to be included in its application. Such jurisdictions are defined in Appendix 6 of this Chapter." The county's Contractor Licensing page states: "Any properties that are incorporated in a specific property tax area are not New Castle County's jurisdiction."

Closing-Out Sale License (Going Out of Business Sale permit)

New Castle County Code §8.02.001(A) makes it unlawful to advertise or conduct any retail sale represented as a bankrupt, insolvent, closing out, going out of business, retiring from business, liquidation or similar sale, or any sale that leads the public to believe the seller is closing out the goods of a business for less than the current or regular retail price, "in the County, without first filing with the Department of Land Use the application and inventory provided for by this Article and obtaining from such Department a license, to be known as a 'closing-out sale license,' to advertise or conduct such a sale." The county's Use Permits and Temporary Events page states: "A Going Out of Business Sale permit is required if goods, wares, or merchandise are being sold for less than the current or regular retail price." As set in §8.02.001(B) (Ord. No. 98-050, 5-26-1998), the fee is $25 for a period not exceeding 30 days, $50 for not exceeding 60 days and $75 for not exceeding 90 days, plus $5.00 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of inventory. The application is filed in writing and under oath with an inventory and itemised wholesale prices (§8.02.002); the license is not transferable, must be displayed at the place of sale, and covers only the goods listed in the inventory, with no replenishment (§8.02.003, §8.02.008). Sales by public or court officers are excluded (§8.02.009). The Department of Land Use is at the Government Center, 87 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720 (Planning & Permits 302-395-5400).

Permit Endorsed Contractor License (building Class U, A, B, C and utility contractors)

The county's Contractor Licensing page states: "Contractors working in unincorporated New Castle County providing construction and building improvement services are required to obtain a New Castle County contractor license." A permit endorsed license "is required for those individuals or companies who perform construction related activities that require a permit. This would include building, plumbing, and HVACR contractors to name a few." Under §6.03.001 each application is accompanied by the fee stated in the Appendix, and the Department sets the policy on expiration and renewal. Chapter 6 Appendix 7 (Miscellaneous Fees Schedule, Eff. 07/01/2009, Rev. 11/30/2010, 07/01/2015) sets $400 per license category for building contractors (Class U, A, B, C) and for utility contractors. The county's 2026 Building Contractor Requirements and 2026 Utility Contractor Requirements sheets state: "The total fee for the 2026 license is $410: License Fee - $400 ICC Digital Code Access Fee - $10"; the ICC fee pays for online access to the adopted codes. Required with the online application: a State of Delaware business license valid for 2026; a certificate of liability insurance with minimum limits of $250,000 per occurrence and $500,000 aggregate; and the county's 2026 Statutory Compliance Bond form (modified forms are not accepted). Bond amounts on the 2026 sheets and the Appendix 4 bond form: Class U $200,000 (unlimited project value), Class A $150,000 (projects up to $200,000), Class B $50,000 (up to $100,000), Class C $25,000 (up to $50,000), HVACR $25,000, Decorative Appliance $10,000, Master Plumber $10,000, Sewer & Drain Cleaner $10,000 and Outside Utility $50,000. New home builders must hold at least Class A, and HVACR and plumbing contractors also need a State of Delaware Division of Professional Regulation license for their trade. The bond form states "License Period: January 1, 2026 to January 1, 2027". New Castle County Code §6.01.001 states that Chapter 6 "shall apply to the unincorporated territory of New Castle County, Delaware, and may apply to incorporated municipalities if by appropriate action of its governing body, any such governing body elects to be included in its application. Such jurisdictions are defined in Appendix 6 of this Chapter." The county's Contractor Licensing page states: "Any properties that are incorporated in a specific property tax area are not New Castle County's jurisdiction." Licensing questions: 302-395-5420, licensing@newcastlede.gov.

Non-Permit Endorsed Contractor License (NAICS Sector 23 work that needs no permit)

The county's Non-Permit Endorsed Contractor License page states that these licenses "are valid to perform construction activity defined by Sector 23 of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code that does not require a permit from our jurisdiction or fall under HVACR and plumbing work." The Contractor Licensing page's FAQ states that "All persons engaging in any aspect of construction activity, as defined by Sector 23 - Construction" of NAICS are contractors requiring a license, excluding those solely engaged in subdivision and land development, electrical contractors (licensed by the State of Delaware as electricians), heavy utility construction in the DelDOT right of way, and maintenance employees of state-owned facilities. The fee depends on the number of employees, as listed on the county's 2026 Contractor License Application for Non-Permit Endorsement Holders and in Chapter 6 Appendix 7 (Eff. 07/01/2009, Rev. 11/30/2010, 07/01/2015): $150 for a business with no employees (sole proprietor) up to five employees, $250 for six to ten, and $400 for eleven or more. The application asks for the State of Delaware business license number, and can be filed online with a credit card or on paper with a check to 87 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720 (allow up to two weeks for processing). New Castle County Code §6.01.001 states that Chapter 6 "shall apply to the unincorporated territory of New Castle County, Delaware, and may apply to incorporated municipalities if by appropriate action of its governing body, any such governing body elects to be included in its application. Such jurisdictions are defined in Appendix 6 of this Chapter." The county's Contractor Licensing page states: "Any properties that are incorporated in a specific property tax area are not New Castle County's jurisdiction."

Building Permit with Zoning Review and Certificate of Occupancy (commercial fit-out, renovation, new construction; mechanical, plumbing and sign permits)

The New Castle County Code Chapter 6 Schedule of Permit and Review Fees (current through Ord. No. 25-130, adopted 11-18-2025) sets the building permit valuation fee at $12.00 for each $1,000 of valuation up to $1,000,000 and $5.25 for each additional $1,000 over $1,000,000, with a $60.00 minimum; the county's Non-Residential Renovation / Tenant Fit-Out Permit Requirements sheet (REV. 4/13/2026) states the same as "$12 per $1,000 of valuation up to $1 Million and $5.25 per $1,000 over $1 Million ($60 Minimum)". The schedule adds a zoning review fee of 10% of the permit valuation fee (minimum $21.00, maximum $145.00) and a Certificate of Occupancy fee of $60.00, and the sheet lists the same figures. Mechanical and plumbing permits are $5.25 per $1,000 of valuation (minimum $65.00), and sign permits are $1.00 per square foot of sign area (minimum $90.00) plus the same zoning review fee. A NCC Volunteer Fire Assistance Fund fee is charged with the building permit; contact the Department of Land Use for the current amount. The sheet adds that a Floodplain/Wetland and/or Individual Lines & Grade plan review fee of $65 per review may apply, and lists Fire Marshal approval of building plans (302-323-5365). Under §6.03.019(A) a building may not be used or occupied, and its use or occupancy may not be changed, until the Code Official issues a certificate of approval (a certificate of occupancy, certificate of completion or certificate of use). Applications are filed through the county's eServices (eApply and ePlans). The county's Pay Fees page states that effective July 1, 2026 a 3% service fee applies to Land Use transactions made by credit card; it is set and retained by the payment processing vendor, the Department receives no portion of it, and it does not apply to ACH, electronic check, cash or check payments. New Castle County Code §6.01.001 states that Chapter 6 "shall apply to the unincorporated territory of New Castle County, Delaware, and may apply to incorporated municipalities if by appropriate action of its governing body, any such governing body elects to be included in its application. Such jurisdictions are defined in Appendix 6 of this Chapter." The county's Contractor Licensing page states: "Any properties that are incorporated in a specific property tax area are not New Castle County's jurisdiction." The Department of Land Use is at the Government Center, 87 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720 (Planning & Permits 302-395-5400).

Certificate of Use (opening a business or changing the use of an existing structure without construction)

The county's Use Permits and Temporary Events page states: "A Certificate of Use is required when there is a change in the business use of an existing structure". The county's Certificate of Use Permit Requirements sheet (REV. 04/25/2025) says a certificate of use may be obtained for verifying the legal occupancy of a business for the purpose of obtaining further permits from the State of Delaware (liquor license, food license, day care), for opening a business or assembly in an existing structure where no construction will be required, and for changing the use of a structure where no construction will be required. Documents required: the Use Permit Application, an approved record plan or detailed site plan, Fire Marshal approval (302-323-5365), a detailed floor plan, Board of Health approval if food service exists or is proposed (302-744-4546; food preparation areas in day care facilities are reviewed by the Office of Child Care Licensing, 302-892-5800), a sewer agreement from the Department of Public Works for a change of use or new business connected to sewer (302-395-5734), and a DelDOT entrance/exit permit. The sheet lists "Certificate of Use Fee: $50", matching Chapter 6 Appendix 7, and says a zoning certification may be required, in which case a site plan review fee would also apply. New Castle County Code §6.01.001 states that Chapter 6 "shall apply to the unincorporated territory of New Castle County, Delaware, and may apply to incorporated municipalities if by appropriate action of its governing body, any such governing body elects to be included in its application. Such jurisdictions are defined in Appendix 6 of this Chapter." The county's Contractor Licensing page states: "Any properties that are incorporated in a specific property tax area are not New Castle County's jurisdiction." The Department of Land Use is at the Government Center, 87 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720 (Planning & Permits 302-395-5400).

Contact

Jurisdiction
New Castle County
Phone
(302) 395-5400

Contact details are taken from the agency’s own site or its published fee schedule. Where we have not verified a phone number we leave it blank rather than guess.

Sources

Every fee and term above was read from one of these government pages on the date shown.

  1. 2026 Building Contractor Requirements (Permit Endorsed Building Contractors)New Castle County Department of Land Use · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
  2. 2026 Contractor License Application for Non-Permit Endorsement HoldersNew Castle County Department of Land Use · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
  3. 2026 Utility Contractor Requirements (Permit Endorsed Utility Contractors)New Castle County Department of Land Use · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
  4. Certificate of Use Permit Requirements (REV. 04/25/2025)New Castle County Department of Land Use · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
  5. Chapter Six Appendix (Appendix 4 Statutory Compliance Bond Form and Bond Schedule; Appendix 7 Miscellaneous Fees Schedule)New Castle County Department of Land Use · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
  6. Contractor LicensingNew Castle County · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
  7. Figure Out What Permits You NeedNew Castle County · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
  8. New Castle County Code Chapter 6 (Building Code), including §6.01.001, §6.03.001, §6.03.019 and the Schedule of Permit and Review Fees (amended through Ord. No. 25-130, 11-18-2025)New Castle County, Delaware (via Municode) · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
  9. New Castle County Code Chapter 8 (Businesses), Article 2 (Closing-Out Sales), §§8.02.001-8.02.010New Castle County, Delaware (via Municode) · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
  10. New Castle County Unified Development Code (Chapter 40), as amended through October 1, 2026, including §§40.03.329-40.03.331New Castle County · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
  11. Non-Permit Endorsed Contractor LicenseNew Castle County · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
  12. Non-Residential Renovation / Tenant Fit-Out Permit Requirements (REV. 4/13/2026)New Castle County Department of Land Use · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
  13. Pay FeesNew Castle County · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
  14. Permit Endorsed Contractor LicenseNew Castle County · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
  15. Tenant Fitout & RenovationsNew Castle County · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
  16. Use Permits and Temporary EventsNew Castle County · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12

Other offices serving New Castle County

The full permit list for this jurisdiction

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Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.