Delaware

12 adopted codes · 42 cities tracked

Complete GuideDelaware Construction Codes — County-adopted ICC codes with statewide plumbing, energy, fire, and electrical codesEdition 2024Effective: 2026-01-01

State Building Authority

Multiple agencies: State Fire Prevention Commission, DNREC, Division of Public Health, Architectural Accessibility Board

(302) 739-5665 [email protected]Official Website

Adopted Codes & Standards

International Building Code (IBC)

County-level adoption

2024 (New Castle) / 2021 (Sussex) / 2018 (Kent)

International Residential Code (IRC)

County-level adoption

2024 (New Castle) / 2021 (Sussex) / 2018 (Kent)

International Plumbing Code (IPC)

Statewide — Division of Public Health

2021 with DE Amendments

International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

Statewide — DNREC Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy

2018

International Mechanical Code (IMC)

County-level adoption

2021 (New Castle)

International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)

County-level adoption

2021 (New Castle)

International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

County-level adoption

2024 (New Castle)

National Electrical Code (NEC/NFPA 70)

Statewide — State Fire Marshal

2020

NFPA 1 - Fire Code

Statewide — State Fire Marshal

2021

NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code

Statewide — State Fire Marshal

2021

NFPA 13 - Sprinkler Systems

Statewide — State Fire Marshal

2019

ICC A117.1 - Accessibility

Statewide — Architectural Accessibility Board

2017 with DE Amendments

Mandatory Codes (12)

IBC2024

International Building Code

ICC·Building

IBC 2024 adopted by New Castle County effective Jan 1, 2026

IBC2021

International Building Code

ICC·Building

IBC 2021 adopted by Sussex County effective Jan 1, 2023

IBC2018

International Building Code

ICC·Building

IBC 2018 adopted by Kent County effective Oct 2020

IECC2018

International Energy Conservation Code

ICC·Energy

IECC 2018 adopted statewide — DNREC

IPC2021

International Plumbing Code

ICC·Plumbing

IPC 2021 adopted statewide — Division of Public Health

IRC2024

International Residential Code

ICC·Residential

IRC 2024 adopted by New Castle County effective Jan 1, 2026

IRC2021

International Residential Code

ICC·Residential

IRC 2021 adopted by Sussex County effective Jan 1, 2023

IRC2018

International Residential Code

ICC·Residential

IRC 2018 adopted by Kent County effective Oct 2020

NFPA 12021

Fire Code

NFPA·Fire Safety

NFPA 1 2021 Fire Code adopted statewide — State Fire Marshal

NFPA 1012021

Life Safety Code

NFPA·Fire Safety

NFPA 101 2021 Life Safety Code adopted statewide — State Fire Marshal

NFPA 132019

Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems

NFPA·Fire Safety

NFPA 13 2019 Sprinkler Systems adopted statewide — State Fire Marshal

NFPA 702020

National Electrical Code

NFPA·Electrical

NEC 2020 (NFPA 70) adopted statewide — State Fire Marshal

Important Notes

Delaware is the second smallest state with only 3 counties: New Castle (most urban, Wilmington), Kent (state capital Dover), and Sussex (coastal resort area). Building codes are adopted at the county level, with statewide codes for plumbing, energy, fire, and electrical. New Castle County adopted the 2024 ICC codes effective January 2026 — the most current in the state. Sussex County adopted 2021 ICC codes in 2023. Kent County still uses 2018 ICC codes. The Atlantic coast (Sussex County) has enhanced wind requirements up to 140 mph. Delaware Bay coastal areas also have flood zone requirements. The Beach Preservation Act regulates construction near the coastline. Delaware is entirely in Climate Zone 4A.