Sussex County Building Code Office

Building Code Plan Review, Inspections and Certificate of Compliance/Occupancy (unincorporated Sussex County and 14 towns)

The county's Building Code page states that the Sussex County Building Code Office "is responsible for enforcing building codes as adopted under Chapter 52 of the Sussex County Code for all unincorporated areas of the county, as well as 14 incorporated towns." The office's town list names Bethel, Blades, Bridgeville, Dagsboro, Dewey Beach, Ellendale, Fenwick Island, Frankford, Georgetown, Greenwood, Henlopen Acres, Ocean View, Slaughter Beach and South Bethany, and says those towns "Will Require a County Certificate of Occupancy". Under Chapter 52 the Building Official inspects work for which a permit is required, makes a final inspection before the certificate of occupancy is issued, and a new building may not be occupied, nor its occupancy or use changed, until a certificate of occupancy has been issued. The county's Commercial Intake Form (published July 28, 2026) states "FIRE MARSHAL APPROVAL NEEDED PRIOR TO BUILDING PERMIT ISSUANCE", "DEL DOT APPROVAL REQUIRED BEFORE FINAL INSPECTION CAN BE SCHEDULED" and that "ALL NEW STRUCTURES OR ADDITIONS MUST HAVE TWO COPIES OF A COUNTY P&Z APPROVED SITE PLAN". The office's Final Completion Requirements form lists the DNREC septic completion report, the DelDOT entrance permit for commercial projects and a final elevation certificate in a flood zone, and states that the certificate "must be issued prior to any occupancy or intended use". Plan review and inspection fees are separate from the building permit fee; the Building Code Office ((302) 855-7860) gives the current amount. Sussex County Code §52-22C: a permit becomes invalid unless the authorised work is commenced within 12 months after issuance, or if the work is suspended or abandoned for 12 months after it is commenced; one twelve-month extension is allowed.