Your Responsibility as an Owner

According to Sub. 1 to Ordinance 06-016 (Wilmington City Code Chapter 34-45), the Residential Rental Property Licenses and Inspection Program is a three-part process requiring the owner of a rental property to:

1. Obtain and maintain a Residential Property Rental License annually.
2. Register all rental properties; and
3. Receive interior and exterior inspections.

Residential Rental Property Licensing

• Owners of the rental properties must havea Residential Property Rental license, which must be renewed annually.
• The application for the Residential Rental Property license is available here.

Preparing for inspections

• Once a property becomes registered, it must be inspected.
• Please see the City of Wilmington’s inspection preparation list here.

Additional information for rental property owners and owners of unoccupied properties

• Please note, if the owner does not reside in New Castle County, then the Owner must retain a Property Manager licensed in the City of Wilmington.
• Property Management agreement signed by the owner and the Property Manager must be provided.
• Additional information on property owner responsibilities is available here.

Your Responsibility as an Owner

It is required that vacant, also known as unoccupied, properties are registered with the City of Wilmington.

• Download the Vacant Property Registration Form here.
• See the Vacant Property Fees here.
• Read about the Vacant Property Registration Fee Program here.

Public Nuisance Properties

What is a Public Nuisance Property?

• Properties maintained and conducted in violation of Licenses and Inspection code enforcement, per Wilmington City Code, can be deemed Public Nuisance properties.

Are residential properties subject to code enforcement action?

• Yes. Residential properties, rental or owner-occupied, may be subject to code enforcement action if a property is deemed a Public Nuisance.
• Owners, lessors, and agents in charge of or possessing a property may be held liable for maintaining or conducting a public nuisance.

Additional Information about Public Nuisance Properties can be found here.