What do these permits involve in New Castle County?

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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).

Permit	Issuing agency	Fee	Renews	Last checked
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 you	New Castle County Department of Land Use	Building 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 you	New 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 required	one-time, for the use of the structure; a new certificate is needed when the business use changes	2026-10-12

Business licenses and permits in New Castle County, Delaware

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