City of Harrington Takes Over Permitting
Efffective January 4, 2010, the City of Harrington will be handling all aspects of building permits for all projects located within the corporate limits of Harrington. Kent County will continue inspecting all open permits that have been issued a Kent County Building Permit.
Notice to Builders
On July 29, 2009 the Governor signed Senate Bill #59. This law updates the State of Delaware building code requirements for energy efficiency. Updating the building code ensures that Delaware will receive its full share of the Federal Stimulus money.
Effective January 1, 2010, through June 30, 2010, the sellers of new construction are required to notify buyers of an option to purchase the construction built to the International Energy Conservation Code 2009 (IECC/2009). As of July 1, 2010, all homes will be required to be built to the IECC/2009. This affects all new detached 1- and 2-famliy dwellings and all other new residential buildings 3 stories or less in height. Commercial structures will be required to comply with ASHRAE 90.1—2007.
Free training classes on the changes will be offered by the State of Delaware Department of Energy in early 2010. We will notify you of the dates, times, and locations of the classes as well as having the information posted on the Kent County website at www.co.kent.de.us/Departments/Planning/IandE/index.
If you have any questions, you may contact Marc A. St. Jean, Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. at (302)744-2450.
Guidelines for Posting House Numbers
Kent County’s house numbering system is intended to provide automatic location for enhanced 911 services, and to provide a better system for the delivery of emergency services, the delivery of mail and goods, and other private and public purposes. In order for this to work, house numbers must be clearly posted, even if you receive your mail at a Post Office Box.
- Display numbers in a location visible from the road upon which the address number is assigned.
- Place numbers on both sides of the mailbox unless on cluster mailboxes where the number is placed on the front.
- When the mailbox is on the opposite side of the road from the home, when the property does not have a mailbox, or when the home or building that goes with the mailbox is not clearly identified, then the number should be displayed on the house if readily visible or on a sign or post at the entrance to the driveway.
- Place numbers on the house only when readily visible from the road (within 50 feet)and the view is not blocked by trees or shrubs.
- Private signs or posts that display house numbers at the entrance to driveways should be at a height of at least 3 to 4 feet.
- Numbers must be at least 4 inches high.
- Numbers should be plain block numerals on a background of contrasting color, preferably black on white.
- Do not place numbers on utility poles, sign posts, or within the road right of way.
- When a property is on a private lane with more than one residence, display numbers at the end of the lane and at the driveway to the home.
- If you live within the municipalities of Camden, Cheswold, Clayton, Dover, Harrington, Milford, Smyrna, Wyoming, contact your town office about guidelines for displaying numbers.
Failure to clearly display your house number may result in delayed emergency services and/or further legal and administrative actions.
If you have any questions or need assistance in displaying the house numbers, please do not hesitate to contact the Kent County Department of Planning Services at 302-744-2471.
DID YOU KNOW; you are required to apply for a permit for the following:
- Sheds/gazebos
- Decks (larger than 4'-0" x 4'-0")
- Fences
- Pools
- Hot tubs
- Gas fireplaces and inserts, pellet stoves.
- Siding
- Roofing when replacing more than 25% of the roof sheathing or when changing the roofing material (i.e. asphalt shingles to a metal roof).
- Additions
- Detached structures (garages/pole barns).
- Single Family Dwellings
- Structural renovations
- Elevated patios
- Agricultural buildings
- Demolition of structures. Needed to remove the structure from the tax rolls.
- Commercial structures
- Business Certificate of Occupancy
- Commercial Fit-outs
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If you already obtained a permit: We Thank You for your cooperation. If you have any questions please contact Kent County Inspections & Enforcement at (302) 744-2451 or (302) 744-2452
NOTE: There is a minimum 72 Hour permit issuance period, so that accurate information is returned to the applicant.
General Information (302) 744-2455 or (302) 744-2452 /EMAIL
Building Code Questions (302) 744-2450 /EMAIL
Report Violation (302) 744-2451 or (302) 744-2452
Schedule Inspection (302) 744-2451 or (302) 744-2452 |
Consumer Products Safety Commision Issues a Recall
The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a recall on Kidde, dual sensor smoke alarms. Kidde model PI2000, dual sensor smoke alarms are sold at retail, department, and hardware stores. If you have purchased any of the these smoke alarms or want additional information, you may contact Kidde toll free at (877) 524-2086 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.kidde.com.
New DELDOT Sign Regulations
Effective April 1, 2009, DELDOT is enacting new sign permitting requirements. A Kent County Tax Map Verification Form will be required by DELDOT prior to applying for their permit. Click the attachment below for the new requirements.
DELDOT Sign Requirements
Code Books Now Available at Local Libraries
As of Monday, December 1, 2008, one copy of the International Residential Code/2006 and one copy of the International Building Code/2006 with the Kent County Supplement to the Codes will be available for review at the following libraries; Dover, Greenwood, Smyrna, Milford, Kent County, and the Kent County Book Mobile.
Kent County Levy Court Adopts the International Building Code/2006 and the International Residential Code/2006
Kent County Levy Court adopted the IBC/2006 and the IRC/2006 on August 26, 2008, with and effective date of October 1, 2008. Any plan submittals prior to October 1, will be reviewed under the current 2000 I-Codes. Permits applied for on or after October 1, 2008 will be reviewed under the new I-Codes.
News Regarding the Town of Cheswold
Effective April 7, 2008, the issuance of building permits, plan review, and inspections for properties located within the corporate limits of the Town of Cheswold will be handled by the Town of Cheswold.
New Manufactured Home Installation Regulations
The new regulations for the setting of Manufactured Homes went into effect July 16, 2007; Kent County would like to explain our position on certain issues. All permits issued after this date would require that the license number of the installer is available, at time of application, for the set crew which will be placing the home. We will now require three inspections. One inspection will be required for the footer, one for the anchoring, with a final inspection once the home is ready for occupancy. For the footer inspection, we will require that the footer be properly dug and the set certification documents from the manufacturer be submitted to the office prior to the inspection. On older homes, where these documents are not available, we will require the footers to be placed no further apart than 8 feet with the end footers being within 2 feet of each end of the unit. As per the code, the footers must be 24" in diameter, 24" deep and at least 8" thick.
For those using the conventional auger and strap anchor, we will require that the anchors be 4 ft long as noted on the head of the anchor, unless there is a registered engineer's certification which states they can be less, based upon the soil conditions. This certification must be presented to the office prior to the anchor inspection. Anchors have to be within 2 ft. of each end and no further apart than 11 ft. under the manufactured home. Where you are using other means to secure the home, we will need to see approved documents from the manufacturer of these systems. Anchor inspections need to be requested before skirting is installed.
At the Certificate of Occupancy inspection, the County will require that the decal of completion is in place along with the final electric, final plumbing and any other certifications required. (For example Kent Conservation on a new private land placement)
As this is a new procedure with new guide lines, we are aware that for a while this is going to be a learning experience for both you as the installer and we as the inspectors. As we work together, it will be the best for the Manufactured Home Industry. Please do not hesitate to contact us at (302)-744-2454 or (302)-744-2396 with any questions or concerns you may have.
FEE SCHEDULE CHANGE
The Kent County Levy Court adopted a new fee schedule on Tuesday, May 22, 2007. The effective date for this new fee schedule is Friday, June 1, 2007. A copy of the new fee schedule available in the I&E office.
Link to Pool Safety Video
PLEASE BE AWARE: upon the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy and/or closure of a building permit, at some time in the future, a member of the Kent County Assessment Office will visit this site to measure the improvements and record data needed for assessment purposes.
Builders, Effective September 14, 2006, drip edge will be required to be installed on all house that have not been issued a C of O. A Temporary C of O can be issued as long as a letter is submitted by the builder stating that the drip edge will be installed within 30 days of issuance of the Temporary C of O. If the installation of the drip edge is not completed, the C of O may be revoked.
On September 12, 2006, Kent County Levy Court adopted Ordinance LC-06-39, which amends § 6.3, Department of Planning Services - Division of Inspections and Enforcement, by adding, "After-The-Fact" permitting for structures constructed prior to the issuance of a Kent Count Building Permit. They shall be double the base building permit fee.
In addition, the filing fee for a hearing with the Kent County Community Board of Appeals shall be $50.00.
On July 11, 2006, Kent County Levy Court adopted Ordinance LC06-15 to establish a School District Capital Improvement Fund. Effective immediately, this Ordinance will provide a surcharge to be included in permit fees. This surcharge will assist Kent County School Districts in their efforts to maintain adequate facilities for their students.
Effective May 1, 2006 Kent County will require that when applying for a permit the use of Engineered I-joist for floors, ceilings, and rafters, the manufacturers joist layout to be submitted .
CHANGES IN FINAL INSPECTIONS FOR PERMITS ISSUED FOR STRUCTURES WITHIN THE TOWN OF FELTON
Effective December 5, 2005, no Final Inspections will be approved for single family dwellings within the Town of Felton unless an approved Town of Felton sticker is present in the electrical panel. This applies to all permits regardless of the issue date.
If you have any questions regarding this, you can contact the Town of Felton at (302) 284-9365.
Current County Adopted Codes:
International Residential Code/2006 With Amendments for Residential Construction. 2006/IECC REScheck required with plan submittal.
International Building Code/2006 with County Amendments for Commercial Construction. COMcheck/2006 required for new construction. COMcheck 90.1 (99) Standard required for commercial renovations and additions.
Supplement available elsewhere on this site. A link to the Department of Energy is available on our links page for COMcheck and REScheck downloads.
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