jaspector
§ DE Kent County
County building permits

Unincorporated Kent County

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Kent County, Delaware. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Min. permit fee
$50
Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Kent County Levy Court, Office of Inspections and Enforcement

Street address
555 Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901
Phone
(302) 744-2451 / (302) 744-2452
Email
Inspections@KentCountyDE.gov
Coverage
Covers all unincorporated areas of Kent County. Many incorporated towns use Kent County as the issuing authority after local approval.
Online portal
MyGovernmentOnline (MGO)
MyGovernmentOnline
Website
Department website
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Kent County

Any new construction, addition, or alteration to an existing structure. Specific triggers include: new dwellings, commercial buildings, additions, structural renovations, interior renovations affecting structure, sheds and accessory structures 101 sq ft or greater, gazebos/pergolas 101 sq ft or greater (any size if on a deck or elevated patio), retaining walls over 4 ft in height, roofing when replacing more than 25% of roof sheathing or changing roof material, pools, hot tubs, solar panels, fences over 7 ft in height, manufactured homes.

One-story detached accessory structures (tool/storage sheds, playhouses, similar) with floor area not greater than 300 sq ft
Fences not over 7 feet in height
Ordinary maintenance and repair that does not affect structural members
  • Exempt One-story detached accessory structures (tool/storage sheds, playhouses, similar) with floor area not greater than 300 sq ft
  • Exempt Fences not over 7 feet in height
  • Exempt Ordinary maintenance and repair that does not affect structural members

Note: Exemptions from permit requirements do not authorize work that violates code or other laws; contact office to confirm any specific exemption

Required documents
  • Completed application
  • Site plan drawn to scale (1"=40')
  • Two sets of construction plans (three sets for additions and renovations)
  • Energy code compliance certificate for single-family dwellings (or prescriptive compliance per Section 402 of the state-adopted IECC)
  • Design certification for engineered components (roof trusses, LVLs, steel beams) from manufacturer
  • Delaware-licensed architect or engineer seal required for non-wood-frame structures and metal kit-built structures
Building code
Ordinance No. 20-6 (adopted 8-18-2020); International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) as adopted/amended by Kent County and the State of Delaware; International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) as adopted by State of Delaware
Permit validity
Permit valid for one year from issuance. All construction must be completed and pass final inspection within two years of permit issuance. Pool permits valid for 90 days from issuance; automatic inspection performed 30 days from issuance.
Owner-builder
Not specified publicly; contact office
Contractor requirements
Delaware state contractor license required; additional agency approvals may be required depending on trade (electrical inspection via Delaware-recognized electrical inspection agency)

Source: Kent County Levy Court, Office of Inspections and Enforcement ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Not published; contact office for current turnaround

  1. 01
    Create an account at mygovernmentonline.org
  2. 02
    Complete the online permit application with project description and valuation
  3. 03
    Upload required documents (site plan, construction plans, energy compliance certificate for single-family dwellings)
  4. 04
    Pay applicable fees online
  5. 05
    County staff review application and plans
  6. 06
    If additional agency approvals are required (Fire Marshal, Kent Conservation District, DE Division of Public Health, DNREC), obtain those and submit
  7. 07
    Permit is issued; post on job site
  8. 08
    Schedule required inspections through MGO or by contacting the office
  9. 09
    Pass all required inspections
  10. 10
    Receive final inspection approval and certificate of occupancy (where applicable)

Typical processing time: Not published; contact office for current turnaround

Source: Kent County Levy Court, Office of Inspections and Enforcement ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Kent County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$50
02
Plan check fee
Included in permit fee
03
Permit fee formula
$50 for valuations $0-$1,000; $10 per $1,000 (or fraction) for valuations up to $1,000,000; $3 per $1,000 (or fraction) for amounts over $1,000,000. Application fee: $40 (nonrefundable once accepted).
04
Reinspection fee
First reinspection: $75; Second reinspection: $150; Third reinspection: $250; Fourth and subsequent: $300 each.

Fees paid through MyGovernmentOnline portal. School district surcharge: 1.16% of construction valuation for local school district plus 0.09% for POLYTECH School District.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
Inspection hours
Contact office for current hours

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: Footings/foundation (before concrete pour), framing, mechanical/electrical/plumbing rough-in, insulation, final inspection

Source: Kent County Levy Court, Office of Inspections and Enforcement ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Kent County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Kent County, DE? ▸
Any new construction, addition, or alteration to an existing structure. Specific triggers include: new dwellings, commercial buildings, additions, structural renovations, interior renovations affecting structure, sheds and accessory structures 101 sq ft or greater, gazebos/pergolas 101 sq ft or greater (any size if on a deck or elevated patio), retaining walls over 4 ft in height, roofing when replacing more than 25% of roof sheathing or changing roof material, pools, hot tubs, solar panels, fences over 7 ft in height, manufactured homes.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Kent County, DE? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Kent County, DE are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $50. Fees are calculated as: $50 for valuations $0-$1,000; $10 per $1,000 (or fraction) for valuations up to $1,000,000; $3 per $1,000 (or fraction) for amounts over $1,000,000. Application fee: $40 (nonrefundable once accepted).. Plan check fee: Included in permit fee.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Kent County, DE? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Kent County, DE, follow these steps: 1. Create an account at mygovernmentonline.org 2. Complete the online permit application with project description and valuation 3. Upload required documents (site plan, construction plans, energy compliance certificate for single-family dwellings) 4. Pay applicable fees online 5. County staff review application and plans 6. If additional agency approvals are required (Fire Marshal, Kent Conservation District, DE Division of Public Health, DNREC), obtain those and submit 7. Permit is issued; post on job site 8. Schedule required inspections through MGO or by contacting the office 9. Pass all required inspections 10. Receive final inspection approval and certificate of occupancy (where applicable)
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Kent County, DE? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Kent County, DE typically run Not published; contact office for current turnaround. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Kent County, DE? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Kent County, DE. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures (tool/storage sheds, playhouses, similar) with floor area not greater than 300 sq ft; Fences not over 7 feet in height; Ordinary maintenance and repair that does not affect structural members. Note: Exemptions from permit requirements do not authorize work that violates code or other laws; contact office to confirm any specific exemption When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Kent County, DE? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Kent County, DE via: MyGovernmentOnline portal, (302) 744-2451.
last verified April 2026 source Kent County Levy Court, Office of Inspections and Enforcement ↗ entry id permits/delaware/kent/unincorporated
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Kent County Levy Court, Office of Inspections and Enforcement before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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