Planning Review

New Castle County's planners review proposed development plans to ensure that all required elements are included. Plans that are accompanied by an application to rezone the property are also analyzed to prepare a recommendation as to whether the change in use is appropriate and meets the goals of the Comprehensive Development Plan.

About the Planning Process

All land development plans must go through a multi-stage review process, as outlined here.

Citizens are encouraged to provide input on proposed plans and may contact the Department of Land Use between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays at (302) 395-5400 or by email to request further information or to review plans under review. 

Monthly and Annual Reports & Measurements

View Performance Measurements and Reports for monthly Land Use activity. and annual reports required by County Council on redevelopment, accessory dwelling units, and workforce housing.

Solar-Ready Fact Sheet Opens in new window

Solar-Ready Ordinance
Recognizing the importance of our natural environment and the growing climate crisis, large footprint buildings provide a suitable environment for future solar power installation. The recent adoption of Ordinance 22-091 requires new commercial buildings with a foundation footprint of 50,000 square feet or more to be built with basic infrastructure to allow a rooftop solar photovoltaic system to be easily and cost-effectively installed at a future date (i.e., that the rooftop be “solar-ready”). This ordinance applies to commercial buildings for which a permit request is submitted on or after January 1, 2023. Please review our Fact Sheet for additional information related to the Solar-Ready Ordinance.

Related Documents

  1. Administrative Variance Application (PDF)
  2. Adult Zoning Verification (PDF)
  3. DelDot Memorandum of Agreement (PDF)
  4. Monument Certification - Non-Residential (PDF)
  5. Monument Certification - Residential (PDF)
  1. Request for Record Plan Inspection - Commercial Projects (PDF)
  2. Redevelopment Work Table (PDF)
  3. LDIA Information Sheet - Fillable PDF
  4. LDIA Information Sheet - Non-fillable