Permits & licensing in Delaware local government
What Delaware city councils, county boards and school districts are deciding about permits & licensing — plain-English summaries written from official agendas and minutes, updated as meetings happen.
98 Delaware meetings since 2024 covered permits & licensing. Counts are directional — coverage varies by place and platform.
Places in Delaware with the most permits & licensing activity
- Middletown, DE (19)
- Lewes, DE (18)
- Rehoboth Beach, DE (13)
- Dewey Beach, DE (10)
- Milton, DE (8)
- Smyrna, DE (8)
- Dover, DE (8)
- Dover, DE (6)
- New Castle, DE (4)
- Wilmington, DE (2)
- Bethany Beach, DE (1)
- Clayton, DE (1)
Latest matching meetings
Zoning Board to hear special permit for Spruce Street addition
The Milton Zoning Board of Appeals is holding a public meeting to consider a special permit application for a property at 37 Spruce Street. The applicant seeks to build a one-and-a-half-story addition and a side deck, which would extend an existing setback non-conformity and create a new one. The permit was previously…
Milton ZBA to hear special permit for second-story addition at 24 Bassett St
The Milton Zoning Board of Appeals is meeting to consider a special permit application from James & Ann O'Connor for a second-story addition and deck at 24 Bassett Street. The proposed work would exceed required setbacks, so a special permit is needed. The board will decide whether to grant the permit.
Board reviews special permit for garage expansion at 2 Andrews Road
The Milton Zoning Board of Appeals will consider a special permit application from David and Kelly Twitchell. The request seeks approval to add a second story to a non-conforming detached garage at 2 Andrews Road, which currently has a 4.9-foot left side yard setback. The proposed work would expand the garage width…
Milton ZBA to hear special permit for second-story addition at 53 Lawrence Road
The Milton Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public meeting on September 10, 2026, to consider a Special Permit application from Darren Mimnagh for a 7-foot by 21.2-foot second-story addition at 53 Lawrence Road. The proposed addition would be 6.9 feet from the right-side lot line, which does not meet the 10-foot…
ZBA to hear special permit for two-story addition at 39 Frothingham St
The Milton Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public meeting to consider a special permit application from Zachary and Alexa Rouleau for a two-story addition with a breezeway and garage at 39 Frothingham Street. The proposed structure would not meet required side and rear setbacks, so a special permit is needed. The…
Fourth Street Preserve subcommittee to review restoration update
The Fourth Street Preserve Subcommittee is meeting to review the latest update on the Fourth Street Preserve restoration project. The agenda includes approval of prior minutes, a presentation on the preserve's status, and public comment. The update covers permitting, trail development, planting plans, and habitat…
Board hears appeal of penalty for Islamic Society of Delaware property
The Board of License, Inspection & Review will hold a virtual public hearing on September 9, 2026, to consider an appeal of a penalty assessment related to a property at 554 Port Penn Road. The agenda includes one appeal case and a public comment period. The meeting is rescheduled from earlier dates.
Select Board to consider Labouré College acquisition and related debt exclusion vote
The Milton Select Board will discuss and potentially approve the sale of general obligation bonds, the acquisition of Labouré College, and a special election date for a debt exclusion ballot question. They will also review the warrant for the October 19, 2026 Special Town Meeting, which includes budget appropriations…
Conservation Commission to review wetland notices and enforcement order
The Milton Conservation Commission is meeting to decide on several wetland-related permits and actions, including Notices of Intent for projects at 120 Highland Street, 274 Old Farm Road, and 26 Bartons Lane, as well as an enforcement order at 22 Hope Avenue. The commission will also continue discussions on…
Select Board reviews East Milton Fire Station proposals and October budget warrant
The Milton Select Board will hold a hybrid meeting to review responses to the Request for Proposals for the East Milton Fire Station and discuss the warrant for the October 19, 2026 Special Town Meeting. The meeting includes discussions on the potential acquisition of Labouré College and the approval of the August 4…
Historic board to review window and floorboard applications
The Smyrna Historic District Review Board will meet to review two applications for work on properties in the historic district: one for windows at 132 W Mt Vernon St and one for floorboard and pillar base repairs at 133 S Main St. The board will also handle routine items like approving minutes. Public comment is…
Historic District Commission to review two fence permits in Dover
The Dover Historic District Commission will review two fence permit referrals from the City Planner, both involving properties in the historic district. The commission will also adopt minutes, receive reports on applications and certifications, and discuss the Certified Local Government program and the 2019…
Historic District Commission reviews two fence permits in Dover historic zone
The Dover Historic District Commission is meeting to review two fence permit referrals, approve minutes, and hear updates on applications and architectural review certifications. The commission will consider a 6-foot ornamental metal fence for Dover Fire Department Station #1 parking lots and a 6-foot chain link fence…
Fourth Street Preserve Subcommittee to review restoration update
The subcommittee will receive a restoration update on the Fourth Street Preserve, covering permitting, trail development, groundwater study, and fall planting plans. They will also consider a controlled burn as a site preparation tool. The meeting includes approval of July 8, 2026 minutes and an announcement about the…
One civil penalty appeal is withdrawn, leaving no active decisions for the Board.
The New Castle County Board of License, Inspection & Review will hold a virtual public hearing on August 3, 2026. The only item on the agenda is an appeal of a civil penalty that has been withdrawn at the applicant's request. Consequently, the Board is not scheduled to make any new decisions or rule on any active…
Middletown council to vote on zoning permits and public event approvals
The Middletown Mayor and Council will decide on several conditional use permits, land development plans, and public assembly permits at this meeting. They will also ratify agreements related to police services, employee health assessments, and existing contracts.
Historic District Board reviews property improvement applications
The Smyrna Historic District Review Board will meet to review and approve meeting minutes and consider applications for exterior improvements at two properties. The public may attend in person to provide verbal testimony.
Middletown Planning & Zoning Commission to hold three public hearings
The Planning & Zoning Commission will review three conditional use permits and one land development plan. These items involve business operations in residential areas and a new commercial car wash.
Council will adopt the FY 27 town budget and related utility fee resolution
The Middletown Town Council will vote on adopting the FY’27 budget and a resolution to set utility rates and fees. The meeting also includes review of several preliminary major land development plans and conditional use permit requests. Ordinance amendments for plumbing code, board procedures, and rezoning of 20 N…
Board hears appeal of rule to show cause for Bellefonte Ave property
The New Castle County Board of License, Inspection & Review will hold a virtual public hearing on July 1, 2026, to consider one appeal. The applicant, Robert Lukshides, is appealing a Rule to Show Cause decision dated May 18, 2026, regarding Case #202501883 for the property at 303 Bellefonte Ave. The board will decide…
Historic District Commission to review ADA ramp at Legislative Hall and vinyl siding permit
The Dover Historic District Commission will consider a revised application for an ADA ramp at Legislative Hall and review a referred siding permit for a building on S. Governors Avenue. The meeting also includes adoption of past minutes and staff reports. Public comments are invited.
Review of revised ADA ramp addition for Legislative Hall at 411 Legislative Ave
The Historic District Commission will consider a revised application (HI-24-07) to add an approximately 160‑foot ADA ramp at the west entrance of the Legislative Hall Building. The commission will also review a siding permit (HI-26-02) for 108 S. Governors Avenue. Routine agenda items include approval of minutes from…
Commissioners to set tax rate, award PFAS water treatment contract, and hold hearing on outdoor dining patio
The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on an amended permit for an outdoor dining patio with alcohol service at The Blue Hen restaurant. They will consider awarding a contract for PFAS upgrades at Wells 7 and 8 water treatment facilities and a resolution setting the real estate tax rate for the next…
Hearing on alcohol service at outdoor patio of The Blue Hen restaurant
The Mayor and Commissioners will hold a public hearing to decide on a supplemental permit of compliance request by Sharp Hospitality LLC to operate an outdoor dining patio serving alcoholic beverages at The Blue Hen restaurant, located at 33 Wilmington Avenue. The decision is under Rehoboth Beach Municipal Code…
Historic Review Board to weigh four demolition/building permits
The Historic Review Board will hold a virtual business meeting to review four applications, including three demolition permits for historic structures and one building permit for ADA pavilions in Bellevue State Park. The board will also hear reports from the chair and preservation planner, and take public comment.
Middletown council to consider zoning changes, permits, and road restoration contract
The Middletown Mayor and Council will consider approving public assembly permits, adopting zoning and plumbing ordinances, and ratifying contracts for road restoration and consulting services. The agenda includes multiple public hearings on land development plans and conditional use permits.
Board hears appeals on building permit and vehicle citations
The Construction and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals will hear two appeals of citations: one for failing to obtain a building permit at 103 Lady Bug Drive, and one for a motor vehicle violation and related fines at 209 West Division Street. The meeting is open to the public with virtual access via WebEx.
Appeals of building permit and motor vehicle citation violations
The Construction and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals will consider two appeals. The first is an appeal of a citation for failure to obtain a building permit at 103 Lady Bug Drive under the 2009 International Residential Code. The second is an appeal of a citation and related fines at 209 West Division…
Council to adopt New Castle County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan update
The Middletown Town Council will consider a series of public hearings and motions, including a permit for music events on Cochran Square and several land development proposals. The agenda also includes lease agreements for the Hockessin Soccer Club and a request related to St. Anne’s Golf Course. A resolution to adopt…
Committee to discuss French drain building permit rules
The committee will review and discuss possible amendments to town code sections governing building permits for new and remodeling construction, specifically to include requirements for French drains. They will also review the committee's own role and function. Public comments will be taken.
Board reviews three historic district applications for window, paint, porch changes
The Historic District Review Board will review three applications for property alterations within the historic district. The items involve window work at 121 S Union St, exterior siding paint and windows at 41 W Mt Vernon St, and porch railing replacement at 133 W South St.
Mayor & City Council executive session on procedural and confidential topics
The council will hold an executive session under Delaware law to discuss confidential matters, including a citizen’s job qualifications, potential property acquisitions for capital projects, legal strategy for collective bargaining or litigation, and personnel issues. No specific actions or votes are listed on the…
Council to consider brownfields grant for former Army Reserve site
The City Council will hear presentations on a brownfields grant opportunity for the municipal campus, a pilot moped parking program, new online permitting, and a pilot parking plan. They will also discuss DNREC beach access requirements and streetscape designs for W. Fourth Street and Park Avenue.
City will decide on a supplemental permit for an outdoor dining patio at 44 Rehoboth Ave.
The Mayor and Commissioners will hold a public hearing on April 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. in the Commissioners Room of City Hall. They will consider a Supplemental Permit of Compliance request from Raghu Kumar and Suraj Kumar of India's Restaurant LLC to operate an outdoor dining patio serving alcoholic beverages on…
Mayor & Commissioners will vote on an amended permit for Jam Bistro outdoor dining
A public hearing will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. in the Commissioners Room of City Hall. The Mayor & Commissioners will consider an Amended Permit of Compliance and an Amended Supplemental Permit of Compliance for 305B Rehoboth Avenue. The request, submitted by Mark Hunker and Jeff McCracken of Jam…
Parking group to finalize pilot parking proposal for City Council
The Lewes Parking Working Group will discuss and potentially recommend an in-town parking pilot program on Chestnut, Market, and Mulberry streets. The proposal includes residential parking zones, 3-hour limits for non-residents, and creation of employee parking lots. The group will also consider immediate signage and…
Conditional Use Permit for RV/Boat storage at 0 Summit Bridge Road
The Middletown Planning & Zoning Commission will hold public hearings on several land development proposals. Items include a conditional use permit request for an RV/Boat storage facility at 0 Summit Bridge Road, a preliminary minor land development plan for the same site, and other minor subdivision and building…
Executive session to discuss personnel, licensing, property and litigation matters
The Lewes Mayor and City Council will approve minutes from March meetings, hear public comments, and hold a closed executive session covering four categories: citizen licensing qualifications, site acquisitions for capital projects, collective‑bargaining or litigation strategy, and personnel matters. After the…
Lewes parking group weighs pilot for residential permits, employee lots
The Parking Working Group will discuss and possibly recommend an in-town parking pilot program. The pilot would set costs for residential permits and designate employee parking locations to address a 500-space employee shortfall. The group also will hear updates from sub-working groups.
Review of 234,000‑sf warehouse site plan at 175 Commerce Way
The Development Advisory Committee will review three development applications: a minor subdivision at 7 Nixon Lane, a site‑development plan for a 234,000‑square‑foot warehouse at 175 Commerce Way, and a planned‑neighborhood design for Bay Village Residential. The committee will also consider a waiver request to…