Code Enforcement

Mission Statement

The Town of Elsmere’s Code Enforcement Department’s mission is to work in partnership with the Town’s Board of Adjustment, Planning Commission and Department of Public Safety to promote and maintain a safe and desirable living and working environment. The department will strive to maintain or improve the quality of our community by administering a fair and unbiased enforcement program to correct violations of the Codes and land use requirements of the Town while dealing with permits, code compliance, rental property licensing and citizens inquiries. These programs are intended to ensure public safety, minimize untimely delays to citizens and to provide for expedited review procedures to increase public satisfaction.

Town Codes

The Town of Elsmere is its own municipality and in addition to any Federal, State or County Laws it has its own laws, rules and regulations which each resident, contractor and business owner is reposible to check either by using the Town Code Link on this website or speaking with a Code Enforcement Officer to ensure compliance.

Contacts:

Hours: Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
302-998-2215
Fax: 302-998-9920
11 Poplar Avenue
Elsmere, De 19805

Code Department:

Brian Swift - Code Officer bswift@townofelsmere.com
Craig Hanna - Secretary channa@townofelsmere.com

Contractors and Business Owners:
In addition to any required state, county licenses you are also required to obtain a Town of Elsmere business license annually.

Landlords:
The Town of Elsmere Code states: ”Every owner (or authorized agent) of an family dwelling unit that is to be offered for rent or lease or which is defined as a commercial rental unit by this chapter is required to make application for and receive an annual permit for each and every family unit or unit which is described as a commercial rental unit by this chapter prior to any occupancy by the tenant.” TOE Code 182-2.

Building Code Requirements

The currently adopted codes for the Town of Elsmere are the 2000 ICC Codes with 2001 supplements, included are:

2000 ICC Building Code
2000 ICC Mechanical Code
2000 ICC Plumbing Code
2000 ICC Fuel Gas Code
2000 ICC Residential Code

Permits are Required for the following:

Residential:
        New Homes
        Additions
        Garages
        Sheds over 120 sq. ft.
        New or Enlarged Driveways, Walkways or Patios
        Re-roofing
        Siding, windows and doors
        Structural modifications
        All Decks
        Interior Alterations
        Swimming Pools
        Porches

Commercial:
        New Buildings
        Additions
        Interior Build-out’s or Renovations

Plumbing & Mechanical:
        Installation of New or Replacement Water Heaters and HVAC Systems
        The Installation of Gas Heating Equipment
        The Installation of ANY New piping for Water, Gas or Sewer
        The Replacement of Sewer Laterals or Water Service Piping
        Fireplace Installation

Misc. Permits:
        The Installation or Erection of ANY Signage
        Demolition of ANY Permanent Structure
        Electrical Work (3rd Party Inspection)
        Lot Grading

Plans General:
Commercial Plans shall be prepared by a State of Delaware Design Professional and bear the original signature and seal, except where waived by the Code Official under provisions of the ICC Building Code, sec. 106

Commercial Plans shall first be reviewed and approved by the State Fire Marshal’s Office before submittal to the Town of Elsmere

Residential Plans not prepared by a Design Professional will be accepted at the discretion of the Code Official.

The State Fire Marshal’s office handles all fire plans, systems, investigations and fire prevention issues within the Town of Elsmere

http://statefiremarshal.delaware.gov/