Delaware, Kent County Plumbing Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas
Kent County Building Permit Requirements
Kent County, Delaware, handles building permits for all unincorporated areas. Many incorporated towns within the county also utilize Kent County's services for permit issuance after local approval. The primary online platform for applying for building, sewer, and reporting violations is www.mygovernmentonline.org. For technical assistance with the online system, you can contact their customer support at 1-866-957-3764.
Permits for Plumbing Work
Plumbing permits in Delaware are issued at the county or municipal level, not by the state. Specifically for Kent County, permits for electrical and plumbing work are issued by the State of Delaware. Your subcontractor will be responsible for obtaining these required permits. If you are acting as your own subcontractor for electrical or plumbing work, you will need to visit the State agencies' web pages to obtain homeowner permits.
Properties in Unincorporated Areas
Kent County's Building and Zoning department has jurisdiction over unincorporated areas. A building permit is required for any new construction, addition, or alteration to an existing structure. This includes, but is not limited to, new dwellings, commercial buildings, structural renovations, sheds or accessory structures 101 sq ft or greater, retaining walls over 4 ft in height, and pools or hot tubs. For properties within incorporated towns, a permit or written approval from the town's zoning official is necessary, with the County often performing plan reviews and inspections on behalf of the town.
Application Process and Required Documents
To apply for a building permit, you will need to create an account on mygovernmentonline.org, complete the online application, upload required documents such as site plans and construction plans, and pay applicable fees. Required documents typically include a completed application, a site plan drawn to scale, two sets of construction plans (three for additions/renovations), and an energy code compliance certificate for single-family dwellings. Engineered components may require design certifications from the manufacturer.
Exemptions from Permit Requirements
Certain minor projects may be exempt from requiring a building permit. These can include one-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 300 sq ft, fences not over 7 feet in height, and ordinary maintenance or repair work that does not affect structural members. However, it is always advisable to contact the office to confirm any specific exemptions.