Updated : 04/22/2024

Overview

The city of Wilmington, Del. adopts and enforces the following codes:

• The International Building Code, 2018 edition. Wilmington, Del. Muni. Code § 4-26 (adopted) with § 4-27 (amendments).
• The International Residential Code, 2018 edition. Wilmington, Del. Muni. Code § 4-32 (adopted) with § 4-33 (amendments).

Helpful resources for Wilmington, Delaware include the following.

• PLRB, Ordinance and Law Coverage Discussion for Delaware

Residential Building Code

Delaware has yet to adopt a statewide residential code. Local laws will control.See PLRB, Delaware Building Codes for more information on state level codes.

Wilmington adopted the 2018 IRC, locally. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.

You can find a copy of the model code here.

You can find information about amendments to the model code here.

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2018 IRC(Wilmington, DE Sec. 4-32. - Residential code adopted.)

...The document entitled "The International Residential Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings of 2018", copies of which have been and are now on file in the City Clerk's Office and which is incorporated in this subchapter by reference, and all of the nationally recognized standards referred to and incorporated into that code, together with any...

Drip Edge

Drip Edge: yes

Ice Barrier

Are ice barriers required for Wilmington ? Yes
Citation: Sec. 4-33. - Amendments to the International Residential Code.
Municipal Code https://library.municode.com/de/wilmington/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIWICO_CH4BUBURE_SUBCHAPTER_2BUCO_S4-33AMINRECO
Comments:

TABLE R301.2(1)
CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA

GROUND SNOW LOAD	WIND SPEED (mph)	SEISMIC DESIGN CATE- GORY	SUBJECT TO DAMAGE FROM			WINTER DESIGN TEMP	ICE SHIELD UNDER-LAYMENT REQUI- RED	FLOOD HAZARD	AIR FREEZING INDEX	MEAN ANNUAL TEMP
			WEATH- ERING	FROST LINE DEPTH	TERMITE
25	90/115	B	SEVERE	32"	MODERATE TO HEAVY	15	YES		YES	54 DEG F

Government Officials

Comments

The city of Wilmington, Del. adopted the International Residential Code, 2012 edition. Wilmington, Del. Muni. Code § 4-32 (adopted) with § 4-33 (amendments).

• According to Table R301.2(1), Ice barriers are required.

Id.

Commercial Building Code

Wilmington adopted the 2018 IBC, locally. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.

You can find a copy of the code here.You can find information about amendments to the model code here.

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2018 IBC(Wilmington, DE Sec. 4-32. - Residential code adopted.)

...The document entitled "The International Residential Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings of 2018", copies of which have been and are now on file in the City Clerk's Office and which is incorporated in this subchapter by reference, and all of the nationally recognized standards referred to and incorporated into that code, together with any...

Comments

The city of Wilmington, Del. adopted the International Building Code, 2018 edition, including appendices E, F, G, and J. Wilmington, Del. Muni. Code § 4-26 (adopted) with § 4-27 (amendments).

Existing Buildings

Subchapter 6 (Building Renovation Code) of Chapter 4 (Buildings and Building Regulations) contains regulations for existing structures. Wilmington, Del. Muni. Code § 4-191 (existing building rehabilitation code).

1. The provisions of the other subcodes of the building code do not apply to work in existing buildings, changing the use of an existing building or work in an existing building related to an addition unless the provisions of this subcode specifically reference them and make them applicable.
2. Traditionally, the building code has made the requirements that are applicable to new buildings also apply to buildings whose use is changed; applicable to buildings undergoing rehabilitation with the extent of the requirements depending on the amount of money being spent on the building; and to some extent applicable to existing buildings that have an addition constructed. Buildings whose use was changed and buildings receiving rehabilitation costing more than 50 percent of the replacement cost of the building were required to comply with all the provisions of the building code for new buildings.
3. This subcode takes a new approach. The requirements that apply to a project are based upon the type of work being done rather than on the extent of the work. There is only one exception to this rule. In the case of reconstruction work, as the term reconstruction is defined in this subcode, there are some requirements which must be met when the project is a large one in floor area. There are no requirements in this subcode that are based on the cost of the work.
4. In this subcode, work is classified into six categories. Each category has a separate section which describes the requirements for that category of work. The categories are repair, renovation, alteration, reconstruction, change of use and additions. These terms are defined in section 6.3 of this subcode. The definitions are critical to understand the distinctions between these six categories of work. Where a project contains more than one category of work, each applicable category must be consulted for the requirements for that category of work.

Id.

Other Building Codes