Delaware Shed & Garage Permit Guide
Delaware has just three counties, but each has different rules. Plus flood zones along the coast add another layer. Here's what you need to know.
Updated for 2025–2026
We handle permits so you don't have to.
White Pine Structures is a specialty builder of portable structures & detached buildings — not a general contractor. We help navigate your township's permit process. It starts with a $25 permit review — we find out what your township requires, prepare the documents (including your site plan and impervious coverage worksheet), and hand everything to you to submit under your own name. Approval isn't guaranteed, but the $25 is applied to your purchase when you move forward.
Building larger or double-wide? This part matters.
For simple, smaller buildings we handle the whole permit process for you. But for larger or double-wide structures — anything 16 ft wide and up — approval takes more legwork, and the single biggest thing that gets these across the finish line is you being willing to go to the township and talk with them personally. We prepare everything and coach you on exactly what to say, but a local homeowner advocating for their own project moves the needle in a way we simply can’t do remotely.
What a township prints on its paperwork doesn’t always reflect what they’ll actually approve in person — which is exactly why your involvement makes the difference on bigger builds. Think of it as a team effort: we do the heavy lifting, and your willingness to show up is often what gets a larger structure approved.
Every permit review is a flat $25 — big build or small — and it credits straight to your build when you move forward. Two honest heads-ups on larger builds: your township charges its own permit fee on top, and if they require sealed (engineer-stamped) drawings, those are prepared by an outside engineer at an additional cost. We’ll tell you exactly what your township needs before anything is spent.
Quick Summary
Delaware doesn't have a single statewide building code for residential construction. Each county sets its own rules. Generally:
150–300 sq ft
Permit threshold range
Always
Electrical permit for any wiring
3–5 ft
Typical side/rear setback
County-by-County Breakdown
New Castle County
200+ sq ft requires a building permit
- Requires 3 copies of a plot plan + construction drawings for sheds up to 480 sq ft
- Typical setbacks: 3 ft from rear and side property lines
- Sheds generally not allowed in front yard (unless lot is 2+ acres)
- Wilmington and Newark have their own building departments with additional rules
Kent County
300+ sq ft requires a building permit
- Sheds must be located behind the house
- 10 ft minimum from house, well, and septic system
- 5 ft setback from rear and side property lines
- Lots under ½ acre have additional drainage standards
- Dover follows county codes for shed permits
Sussex County
ALL sizes require a permit
- Under 400 sq ft: county placement permit required
- 400+ sq ft: formal plan review by Land Use Department
- 5 ft minimum setback from rear and side property lines
- Coastal areas have additional flood zone requirements (FEMA elevation)
- May need both county + local town permits
Shed Permits by Town
Delaware permits run through the county unless you're inside town limits. Here's the short answer for the towns we deliver to.
Do I Need a Permit for a Shed in Wilmington, DE?
New Castle County
Wilmington runs its own building department on top of New Castle County rules, so a shed here is reviewed by the city — expect a permit and setback review, with typical 3 ft rear/side setbacks and no front-yard placement. Confirm with the City of Wilmington L&I.
Do I Need a Permit for a Shed in Newark, DE?
New Castle County
Newark has its own building department in addition to New Castle County. New Castle generally requires a building permit at 200+ sq ft, and the city reviews setbacks and placement. Confirm with the City of Newark before you order.
Do I Need a Permit for a Shed in Middletown, DE?
New Castle County
Middletown falls under New Castle County (building permit at 200+ sq ft) plus town review. Expect a plot plan showing setbacks — typically 3 ft from rear and side lines — and no front-yard placement. Confirm with the town and county.
Do I Need a Permit for a Shed in Bear, DE?
New Castle County
Bear is unincorporated New Castle County, so county rules apply directly: a building permit at 200+ sq ft, three copies of a plot plan for sheds up to 480 sq ft, and 3 ft rear/side setbacks. Confirm with New Castle County Land Use.
Do I Need a Permit for a Shed in Dover, DE?
Kent County
Dover follows Kent County codes (building permit at 300+ sq ft) plus city review. Sheds go behind the house, 10 ft from the dwelling, well and septic, with 5 ft rear/side setbacks. Confirm with the City of Dover and Kent County.
Do I Need a Permit for a Shed in Smyrna, DE?
Kent County
Smyrna falls under Kent County rules (building permit at 300+ sq ft) plus town review. Expect rear-of-house placement and 5 ft setbacks. Confirm with the town and Kent County Planning.
Do I Need a Permit for a Shed in Seaford, DE?
Sussex County
Seaford is in Sussex County, where every shed needs at least a county placement permit regardless of size, plus town review. Expect 5 ft rear/side setbacks. Confirm with the City of Seaford and Sussex County Land Use.
Do I Need a Permit for a Shed in Georgetown, DE?
Sussex County
Georgetown falls under Sussex County, which requires a placement permit for all shed sizes, with formal plan review at 400+ sq ft. Confirm setbacks and any town requirements with Georgetown and Sussex County.
Do I Need a Permit for a Shed in Lewes, DE?
Sussex County
Lewes is coastal Sussex County, so a county placement permit is required for any size shed and FEMA flood-zone elevation rules often apply. The city adds its own review. Confirm with the City of Lewes and Sussex County Land Use.
Do I Need a Permit for a Shed in Millsboro, DE?
Sussex County
Millsboro falls under Sussex County (placement permit for all sizes, plan review at 400+ sq ft) plus town review. Coastal parcels may face flood-zone requirements. Confirm with the town and Sussex County.
Flood Zone Considerations
Delaware’s coastal areas, especially in Sussex County, have FEMA-designated flood zones that add extra requirements:
- Structures may need to meet FEMA elevation requirements
- Flood-resistant materials may be required
- DNREC (Dept. of Natural Resources) may require additional permits near beaches, wetlands, or tidal waters
- Flood zone compliance can add 2–4 weeks to the permit process
Tip: Check your FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov before ordering.
The Permit Process
Contact your county building department
Confirm your zoning district and what size triggers a permit. Ask about flood zones if you're coastal.
Prepare a plot plan
New Castle requires 3 copies. Kent needs detailed construction drawings. Sussex needs a placement plan (under 400 sq ft) or formal plan review (400+ sq ft).
Submit your application + fees
Most Delaware counties still accept in-person or mail submissions. Some offer online options.
Wait for approval
Typical timeline is 1–3 weeks for smaller sheds, longer for structures requiring formal plan review.
Schedule delivery + final inspection
Place your structure and schedule the required inspection. Sussex County may require a footing inspection for larger structures.
How We Can Help
We deliver throughout Delaware and understand the county-level differences. Let us handle the permit research for you.
- We know what each DE county requires for the size you're looking at
- We provide plot plans and construction drawings when required
- We'll flag flood zone concerns during your initial consultation
- Free guidance on foundation, placement, and setback requirements
More Permit Guides
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