Delaware Building Codes

Many of the Delaware building codes are governed at a local jurisdiction level. Please check with your local government office to understand which codes apply to your project.

Codes

2018 State of Delaware Plumbing Code

adopts the IPC 2018 with amendments

2020 Delaware Residential Building and Commercial Building Energy Conservation Codes

adopts the IECC 2018 without amendments

2020 Delaware Commercial Building Energy Code

adopts ASHRAE 90.1-2016 & the Commercial Provisions of the 2018 IECC

Fire Code 2021 of Delaware

adopts the NFPA 1, 2021 with amendments

Fire Code 2015 of Delaware

adopts the NFPA 1, 2015 with amendments

Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems 2019 of Delaware

adopts the NFPA 13, 2019 without amendments

Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems 2013 of Delaware

adopts the NFPA 13, 2013 without amendments

National Electrical Code 2020 of Delaware

adopts the NFPA 70, 2020 without amendments

National Electrical Code 2014 of Delaware

adopts the NFPA 70, 2014 with amendments

National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code 2013 of Delaware

adopts the NFPA 72, 2013 without amendments

Life Safety Code 2021 of Delaware

adopts the NFPA 101, 2021 with amendments

Life Safety Code 2015 of Delaware

adopts the NFPA 101, 2015 with amendments

Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities 2017 of Delaware

adopts the A117.1, 2017 with amendments

Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities 2009 of Delaware

adopts the A117.1, 2009 with amendments

Delaware Residential Building Energy Code

adopts the IECC 2012 with amendments

OSHA

OSHA 1904 Recordkeeping

OSHA 1910 General Industry

OSHA 1926 Construction

Additional Resources

2010 ADA Standards

Fair Housing Act Design Manual [PDF]

Adoption Info

NOTICE:
The Delaware State Fire Prevention Commission has adopted the NFPA 1, 2021, NFPA 13, 2019, NFPA 70, 2020, and NPFA 101, 2021 and other NFPA code in the 700 Delaware State Fire Prevention Regulations. The new codes took effect September 1, 2021.

INCORPORATED AMENDMENTS

DE Admin. Code 701
effective September 1, 2021
Original document

Delaware Regulations Governing a Detailed Plumbing Code
Original document

Regulations for State Energy Conservation Code
Original document
effective Dec. 11, 2020

Delaware State Fire Prevention Regulations
(Amendments to the NFPA 70, The National Electrical Code, 2014,
the NFPA 1, Fire Code, 2015, and
the NFPA 101, The Life Safety Code, 2015)
Original document

NOTICE

The 2018 International Energy Conservation Code has been adopted as the Delaware Residential Building Energy Code while the ASHRAE 90.1 2016 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low Rise Residential Buildings and the Commercial Provisions of the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code has been adopted as the Delaware Commercial Building Energy Code on June 11, 2020. All projects may choose to use either the new energy code (2018 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1 2016) or the previous energy code (2012 IECC with Delaware amendments and ASHRAE 90.1 2010) from June 11 until December 11, 2020. All projects must comply with the new energy codes starting December 11, 2020.

FURTHER INFORMATION

DE Building Energy Codes
DE Plumbing Permit and Inspection Program

Analytics

Delaware Building Codes

The building codes of Delaware adopt the the International Plumbing Code 2018 (IPC 2018), International Energy Conservation Code 2018 (IECC 2018), Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, 2016, Fire Code, 2021, Fire Code, 2015, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, 2019, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, 2013, National Electrical Code, 2020, National Electrical Code, 2014, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, 2013, Life Safety Code, 2021, Life Safety Code, 2015, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, 2017, and the Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, 2009.

Delaware Agencies

Delaware Division of Public Health
Plumbing Permit and Inspection Program
Plumbing Program Office
Website: https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/hsp/plumbing.html
Email: dhss_dph_hsp@delaware.gov

Kent County:
Address: Thomas Collins Building, 540 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901
Email: DHSS_DPH_KentCoPlumbing@delaware.gov
Phone: 302-741-9030
Fax: 302-739-1957

Sussex County:
Address: Thurman Adams State Service Center, 546 S. Bedford Street, Georgetown, DE 19947
Email: DHSS_DPH_SussexCoPlumbing@delaware.gov
Phone: 302-515-3280
Fax: 320-515-3281

Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy
Website: https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/climate-coastal-energy
Address: 100 W. Water Street, Dover, DE 19904
Phone: 302-735-3480

Division of Facilities Management
Architectural Accessibility Board
Website: https://dfm.delaware.gov/aab
Address: 540 S. Dupont Highway, Suite 1, Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302) 739-5644

Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal
Headquarters Division
Website: https://statefiremarshal.delaware.gov
Address: 1537 Chestnut Grove Road, Dover, DE 19904-1544
Phone: 302-739-5665