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1. What is a tax parcel number?

All parcels in New Castle County have a unique ten digit tax parcel number. The number identifies the location of the parcel on tax assessment maps. The first 2 digits identify the “hundred” or the incorporated area. The next 3 three digits identify the map within the district. If the following 2 digits are not 00, then the map is divided into subsections. For example 11.017-40.001 would direct you to map 11, sub-map 17.4. The final three digits are the number for the individual parcel on that particular map.

Below is the list of the first 2 digits currently in use and their geographic locations:
Unincorporated Areas*
06 – Brandywine Hundred (unincorporated)
07 – Christiana Hundred (unincorporated)
08 – Mill Creek Hundred (unincorporated)
09 – White Clay Creek Hundred (unincorporated)
10 – New Castle Hundred (unincorporated)
11 – Pencader Hundred (unincorporated)
12 – Red Lion Hundred (unincorporated)
13 – St. Georges Hundred (unincorporated)
14 – Appoquinimink Hundred (unincorporated)
15 – Blackbird Hundred (unincorporated)
* New Castle County is the local governing body for government services in these areas.

Towns and Cities that are Incorporated**
16 – Arden (incorporated)
17 – Bellefonte (incorporated)
18 – Newark (incorporated)
19 – Elsmere (incorporated)
20 – Newport (incorporated)
21 – City of New Castle (incorporated)
22 – Delaware City (incorporated)
23 – Middletown (incorporated)
24 – Odessa (incorporated)
25 – Townsend (incorporated)
26 – Wilmington (incorporated)
27 – Ardentown (incorporated)
28 – Smyrna (incorporated) – Smyrna lies in both New Castle and Kent Counties
29 – Ardencroft (incorporated)
30 – Clayton (incorporated) – Clayton lies in both New Castle and Kent Counties
** Not all jurisdictions have the same range of city services. You should check with the town/city to determine whether the service you seek is handled by them or by New Castle County.

2. How is a family defined?

A family is defined as:
1/ Any number of individuals legally related through blood, marriage, adoption or guardianship, including individuals placed for foster care by an authorized agency
2/ Up to four (4) unrelated individuals living and cooking together and functioning as a single housekeeping unit using certain rooms and housekeeping facilities in common.

3. Can I build a private road?

Code Reference: 40.21.140:

All plans for streets, whether public or private, must be reviewed and approved by the Land Use Department. Reviews of street plans ensure that adequate facilities are installed when a project is developed so that there are adequate services; that the facilities will function efficiently with minimum maintenance; and that the overall development is functional and
internally safe to the greatest degree possible. Roads must be designed to avoid increasing adverse impacts on the environment and on adjoining properties. In general, New Castle County encourages public streets in new subdivisions. However, in limited situations, the Department of Land Use may approve the use of private streets if :
1. The public has use of private streets;
2. The development is in the Suburban Estate or Suburban Reserve
district and is a single-family or open space subdivision*; or
3. The development is a rural subdivision **
B. Where appropriate, private street improvements must meet the minimum
standards for comparable public streets.
C. A maintenance organization must be created and responsible for the
maintenance of the private streets.

*Open Space Subdivision. This is a development pattern or design technique where lots are grouped together rather than spread out evenly as in conventional subdivision development. Clustering development allows the remaining land to be used for recreation, open space and the preservation of natural resources.

** Rural Subdivision. This subdivision provides limited development opportunity in the Suburban Reserve if the landowner wants to continue agricultural operations, house family members, or raise income to supplement agricultural operations. It may also be used in
areas where growth potential is limited by facilities capacity. This subdivision permits development at minimal cost while providing access protection along existing streets. The rural subdivision permits a landowner to subdivide a large tract into four (4) lots; these lots are designated the "residential lots". The remaining parcel is designated the "residual lot." The "residual lot" must be included as part of the final plan for recordation purposes. The "residual lot" must be used in part for access and as a reserve for future development that promotes sound land use patterns.

4. Who is responsible for the installation and maintenance of US Postal Service mailboxes?

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has very strict rules and regulations governing the ownership, style, installation and maintenance of mailboxes. The installation of mailboxes is permissible through an arrangement between the developer or homeowner and the local postmaster.

The homeowner is responsible for installing and maintaining curbside mailboxes to USPS specifications. If you plan to replace an existing mailbox, check with the Postmaster if you wish to change the location or construct a custom box.

For cluster mailboxes, the builder is responsible for installing a concrete pad according to USPS specifications and the local postmaster provides the cluster boxes, their installation and maintenance.

Most information is available through the U.S. Postal Service's website at https://www.usps.com/.