Inspections and Enforcement
Sarah E. Keifer, AICP - Director
555 Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901
(302) 744-2451 / 2452 / Fax: (302) 736-2123
Email: Inspections@KentCountyDE.gov
Office Hours: 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Mon. - Fri.
Permitting Requirements
Permits are required for several reasons. The most important is that the structure(s) are being built to code and are safe for human occupancy.
For the physically disabled, codes ensure that you have access to public buildings and have the use of the facilities including but not limited to bathrooms, water fountains, and elevators.
Permits are established to aid in protecting homeowners from property disputes with neighbors. Several permits require a plot plan that will be used by the inspector to verify that you have not encroached on your neighbors property.
Always remember, the building codes are approved as a minimum. You can always build better than what is required by code but you can never go less.
Listed below are the types of permits required in the jurisdiction of Kent County. Please contact our office, if your project is not listed below.
- Sheds- Pre-Built & Site Built greater than 300 square feet (permit required for any size shed when located in Flood Plain)
- Gazebos & pergolas greater than 300 square feet (unless built on a deck)
- Playhouses greater than 300 square feet
- Detached Structures (Garages & Pole Buildings)
- Agricultural Buildings
- Greenhouses
- Pools - (Above Ground & Inground), Hot Tubs, & Spas
- Dog Kennels
- Hot tubs
- Solar Panels Installations - Ground & Structure mounted
- Retaining Walls over four (4) feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall
- Additions
- Decks larger than 16 square feet
- Gas Fireplaces, Inserts, Coal, and Pellet Stoves
- Siding
- Roofing (when replacing more than 25% of the roof sheathing or when changing the roof material. Example: Asphalt Shingles to Metal Roof)
- Structural & Interior Renovations
- Finished Bonus Room
- Finished Basements
- Elevated Patios
- Commercial structures
- Business Certificate of Occupancies
- Commercial Fit-outs
- Temporary Activities
- Placements
- Replacements
- Removals
- Retirements
Fences
- Greater than seven (7) feet in height unless having to meet pool barrier requirements, State of Delaware requirements for daycares, or required by Kent County Planning Services Department as part of an approved Subdivision. (ANY fence height must abide by Planning & Zoning setbacks)
Demolition
- Demolition of structures (needed to remove existing structures from the tax rolls)
Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce
Delaware Division of Small Business
Choose Central Delaware
Greater Kent Committee
Comprehensive Plan
