Marks Building Safety Month with informational programs throughout May
New Castle, DE – New Castle County is recognizing Building Safety Month this May. Activities include online resources, events, and educational initiatives to raise awareness about building safety. County government plays a critical role in ensuring safe and sustainable structures. These outreach initiatives are offered in conjunction with the International Code Council’s annual commemoration of Building Safety Month. The theme for 2018 is “Building Codes Save Lives”.
“Our professional planners, building inspectors, and enforcement officials work to ensure that the buildings across our county meet high design and maintenance standards to keep the public safe,” County Executive Matt Meyer said. “Those efforts increase the economic value of our homes and properties and help sustain strong communities. Please visit www.nccde.org/BuildingSafetyMonth to learn about how your county government works to keep the public safe through sound planning review practices, design requirements, construction standards, and code enforcement.”
“There is nothing more important than ensuring the buildings and structures where our families live, work, and recreate are structurally sound and are able to withstand the test of time,” said Rich Hall, General Manager of the Department of Land Use. “Every day our dedicated team works diligently with property owners and residents to develop and protect our built environment. I thank them for their hard work and dedication”.
Members of the public are invited to participate in the following free events throughout the month at the New Castle County Government Center, located at 87 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720. Learn more about these Building Safety Month events at www.nccde.org/BuildingSafetyMonth.
Friday, May 4: Customer Appreciation and Education Day
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Meet and greet with County building officials and partners featuring giveaways, refreshments and fun.
Tuesday, May 8: Technology and Land Use
9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
The Department of Land Use will offer free demonstrations and training of Land Use Online Services. Stop by and learn about GIS maps, Virtual Inspections and how to submit plans and apply for permits electronically.
Thursday, May 10: Technology and Land Use
2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
The Department of Land Use will offer free demonstrations and training of Land Use Online Services. Stop by and learn about GIS maps, Virtual Inspections and how to submit plans and apply for permits electronically.
Wednesday, May 16: Disaster Preparedness Day
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Learn about New Castle County’s Office of Emergency Management and the steps to prepare for disasters and response operations. Displays will be provided by Emergency Management personnel and their partners.
Wednesday, May 23: Safeguarding Our Water
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Learn about New Castle County’s GreeNCC initiative and how the community can promote water conservation and efficiency. Displays will be provided to educate citizens on how building codes address water-related issues and creating a cleaner environment.
New Castle County Land Use Quick Facts
Building Inspections
- 12 Certified Building and Site Inspectors on staff
- 54,000 Inspections completed annually
Code Enforcement
- 10 Code Enforcement Officers on staff
- 47,000 Inspections completed annually
- 9,500 Enforcement cases handled annually
- 1,100 Vacant and abandoned properties being tracked
Construction Permits
- 16,000 building permits issued annually, including
- 1,150 single family housing building permits issued last year
- 1,500,000 square feet of non-residential construction permitted last year
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Contact:
Jason Miller, Director of Communications, 302-545-1462
Dawn Thompson, Department of Land Use, 302-395-5459