County Laws & Code

Complete County Code

The complete county code is maintained by Municipal Code Corporation, the Nation's leading codifier.

This online document is updated bimonthly. In order to keep pace with changes to Chapter 40 of the County Code, an up to date copy of this chapter is made available below. Also, selected chapters are available below in PDF format.

Unified Development Code

Chapter 40 of the County Code is the primary guide to development within New Castle County. The Unified Development Code (UDC) establishes standards, procedures, and minimum requirements, consistent with the Comprehensive Development Plan. The code regulates and controls the following:

Planning and subdivision of lands
Use, bulk, design and location of land and buildings
Creation and administration of zoning districts
General development of real estate in the unincorporated areas of New Castle County

Chapter 40

Subdivision and Land Development (SLD) Review and Approval Process Prior to January 1, 2010

Building Code

New Castle County is currently enforcing the following codes:

2006 International Building Code

2006 International Residential Code

2009 International Mechanical Code

2009 International Fuel Gas Code

2009 International Plumbing Code

2009 International Energy Conservation Code

Chapter 6 of the New Castle County Code contains amendments to the International Codes and is available for download below.

Copies of the ICC Codes can be purchased from the Department of Land Use.

Property Maintenance Code

Chapter 7 of the New Castle County code deals with property maintenance and enforcement.

Chapter 7