If you’re planning construction, renovation, or trade work in Wilmington, Delaware, pulling the right permits is non-negotiable.
This guide focuses specifically on Wilmington building permits, walking through:
- What requires a permit and what doesn’t
- How much permits cost
- How to navigate the application, review, and inspection process
Simplify permitting in Wilmington with PermitFlow. Learn how.
What requires a building permit in Wilmington?
The City of Wilmington requires permits for most construction and renovation projects involving structural, mechanical, or utility changes. You’ll need a building permit for:
- New structures
- Changes to existing structures, including demolition
- Repairs that involve regulated work, including electrical, plumbing, and mechanical
- Re-roofing / tear-offs / new shingles / new roofing systems
- Commercial window replacement
What doesn’t require a building permit?
Some minor repairs or cosmetic improvements are exempt. No permit is typically required for:
- Storm doors and front doors (permit required in Historic Districts)
- Downspouts and gutters (permit required in Historic Districts)
- Minor roof repairs (small maintenance repairs only)
- Small drywall repair: <100 sq ft or 3 sheets (whichever is larger) and it must not affect a structural or fire-rated wall
- Floor underlayment and carpeting
- Interior painting
- Exterior painting (permit required in Historic Districts)
- Residential vinyl replacement windows (1–2 family homes only; must not alter framing/structure; permit required in Historic Districts)
- Non-structural interior or exterior doors (permit required in Historic Districts)
- Plumbing fixture replacements (faucets/vanities/toilets/tubs/shut-off valves) only if no in-wall plumbing is changed
- Aluminum/vinyl wrapping of trim/soffits/windows (permit required in Historic Districts)
To find more building permit exceptions, refer to the city's frequently asked questions page.
Wilmington building permit cost
Permit fees in Wilmington vary by project type and total job valuation. Here's a general overview:
For more information on current building permit fees, please refer to the Approved L&I Fee Increases page.
Wilmington trade permits
Plumbing permits
Plumbing permits are issued for new plumbing systems, fixture installations, or piping modifications.
A Wilmington plumbing permit costs $20.
Electrical permits
Required for new service panels, rewiring, or any circuit changes.
A Wilmington electrical permit costs $20.
HVAC permits
Covers furnaces, air conditioners, ductwork, and ventilation systems.
A Wilmington HVAC permit costs $20 whether it’s for heating, air conditioning, or other mechanical work.
Get more first-pass approvals in Wilmington
PermitFlow flags issues before you hit submit. Learn how it works.
How to get a building permit in Wilmington
Step 1: Prepare your documents
Most construction, installations, modifications, and trade work in Wilmington needs a permit.
Typical items you’ll need to submit include:
- Completed City of Wilmington Building Permit Application
- Job valuation + scope (and a signed contract if required on the application)
- Plans/plot plan if required
- A list of every trade that will be involved (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, alarms, sprinklers, etc.)
The City’s development review guide says applicants may need to submit 3 complete sets of signed/sealed plans and also submit supporting materials to Public Works, Fire Marshal, and Planning where applicable (and that L&I is not responsible for distributing your application to other agencies).
If your property is in a historic district
Some work that normally doesn’t require a permit may require one in historic districts. This applies to projects like door and gutter replacements, exterior paint, and windows.
Step 2: Apply online or in person
You can submit applications electronically by emailing the permit team at luppermits@wilmingtonde.gov.
Step 3: Plan review
Wilmington routes permits through the right reviewers depending on scope.
Things that might trigger extra review:
- Zoning approval / variance if your project needs one
- Public Works review if you have utilities/stormwater/right-of-way impacts
- Historic/DRPC review if your property is in a historic or special district
- Fire Marshal review if required
Step 4: Pay fees and receive your permit
According to the City’s FAQ, applicants whose permits have been approved will receive an email with total fee + application number.
You can pay:
- By phone: 302-576-2620
- In person: The Department of Finance, First Floor, 800 N. French Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
- By mail: Department of Land Use & Planning, 800 N. French Street
- Wilmington, DE 19801 (include your application number)
After payment, contact luppermits@wilmingtonde.gov or 302-576-3050 to arrange permit pickup.
Step 5: Begin work and schedule inspections
Schedule any necessary inspections through the city’s Application, Permit & Inspection Search Portal
Permit inspections in Wilmington, DE
Most Wilmington building permits require you to undergo an inspection to ensure the work is up to code.
Wilmington’s Building Permit Application lists these example checkpoints and when to request them:
- Footings / slabs: Schedule before pouring
- Plumbing, heating, electrical: Schedule after rough-in, before drywall, and upon completion
- Stud size and spacing (framing): Schedule before drywall
- Foundation walls: Schedule before backfilling
Call your inspector 48 hours in advance to schedule the inspection.
Reinspections and documents on site
If an inspection doesn’t pass, you’ll need to correct items and request a reinspection. This is standard practice; fees may apply depending on the situation.
Wilmington’s permit application also states that one reviewed/accepted plan set is returned and must be available on site throughout construction.
Closing your permit
To close out a permit, you typically need to:
- Pass required final inspections, and
- If applicable, obtain the right final documentation:
- Certificate of Occupancy (CO)
- Or Certificate of Compliance
Note: Wilmington’s Land Use & Planning FAQ explains that after payment, you coordinate with the permit team to arrange permit pickup.
Stop chasing inspections at the finish line.
PermitFlow keeps inspection milestones and closeouts in one place, so you stay ahead instead of scrambling at final sign-off. Learn more.
Wilmington permitting resources
- Wilmington Department of Licenses & Inspections
- Address: Louis L. Redding City/County Building, 800 N French St, 3rd Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801
- Phone: (302) 576-3030
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM ET
- Permit portal
- Building department overview
- Frequently asked questions
- Approved L&I fee increases
- City of Wilmington building permit application
- City’s development review guide
- Plan review fees
- Construction & development review
- Zoning:
- Department of Public Works plan review intake checklist
- Standards for the review of development in the waterfront zoning districts
- Cover letter and checklist for design review proposal package
Streamline permitting in Wilmington with PermitFlow
Getting permits approved in Wilmington requires more than filling out paperwork. Teams have to navigate Delaware building codes, city-specific regulations, zoning requirements, and inspection coordination — all while keeping projects on schedule. That administrative load pulls time and attention away from actual construction.
PermitFlow removes that blocker.
Our AI-powered platform manages the full permit lifecycle, from application prep through final clearance. We generate compliant documentation, route submissions to the correct departments, and track progress in real time so you don’t lose hours to follow-ups, emails, or status checks.
Construction teams rely on PermitFlow because we deliver:
- Local expertise: Wilmington’s permit requirements, Delaware code standards, and inspection workflows are already mapped into the system.
- One place to track everything: See permit status, reviews, and next steps across all your projects in a single dashboard.
- Cleaner submissions: Fully compliant applications reduce review cycles, revisions, and avoidable delays.
- Nationwide coverage: Simplify permits not only in Wilmington but throughout Delaware and across the country.
Ready to eliminate permit bottlenecks? Get in touch to see how PermitFlow helps projects move faster with fewer surprises.
