All residential and commercial construction within the Rehoboth Beach city limits, including new construction, remodeling, interior work, and additions, requires a City of Rehoboth Beach building permit before work may begin. The penalty for beginning work on a building or structure or electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system before obtaining the required permits may be a fee as much as three times the required permit fees.
In addition, keep in mind that all contractors and subcontractors working within the City of Rehoboth Beach must obtain a city business license.
Construction work may be undertaken in Rehoboth Beach from 8 am-5 pm weekdays. Work is permitted from 9 am-5 pm Saturdays only from November 1-April 30. Work is not permitted on Sundays, holidays, or Saturdays from May 1-October 31.
City inspections of many construction stages are required.
Permit requirements for various types of projects are available below.
General plan requirements
- All plans must be in standard architectural or engineering scale.
- Site plan must show all buildings, outbuildings, sidewalks, driveways, and trees.
- Dimensional foundation plan should be included.
- Floor plans must be to scale/dimensioned and correctly identify rooms; specify door and window dimensions; and show mechanical chases, electrical panel, smoke detectors, and plumbing fixtures.
- Elevation drawings are required to accurately describe new work.
- Wall and building sections should be identified showing framing details and specifying materials and sizes of structural members.
Basic alterations for single-family homes
For interior non-structural alterations, exterior finishes, new roof, new siding, and other basic single-family alterations, please provide a contract/proposal that outlines the scope of work in adequate detail to describe the project in full, including the total cost of the job with all labor and materials included. The proposal must be generated by the contractor performing the work or the homeowner if they are acting as the contractor.
In addition, for HVAC work with exterior units, the contractor must submit a survey or drawing indicating the location of the exterior unit(s) on the site and in relation to setbacks.
Demolitions, house moves, sheds, sidewalks, driveways
- Provide plans, drawings, contract/proposal, and other supporting documents to adequately describe the project.
- For proposed sheds and other structures, walkways, driveways, pavers, patios, and fencing that impact lot coverage, a current property survey showing current lot coverage and location of the additional structure is required.
- All contracts/proposals for work involving additional structures, demolitions, or house moves must be signed by both the contractor and homeowner.
- For demolitions and projects where hazardous materials are known to exist, one copy as proof of submission of the DNREC Air Quality Management form.
New construction, additions, alterations, renovations
These requirements are for one- or two-family dwellings:
- two complete sets of plans and/or drawings to standard architectural or engineering scale
- proposal or contract for the job with the scope of work and total cost, including for labor and all materials, signed by both the contractor and homeowner
- a current survey of the property showing current lot coverage (with surveyor’s stamp)
- 2018 Residential Energy Code calculations/”RES” Check” for new construction and additions/renovations of more than 500 square feet
- manuals S and J for HVAC systems
- DNREC Shoreline Construction Approval Letter required by the state for projects in the ocean blocks up to Lake Gerar
These requirements are for commercial projects or residential projects with three or more units:
- three complete sets of plans and/or drawings to standard architectural or engineering scale
- proposal or contract for the job with the scope of work and total cost, including for labor and all materials, signed by both the contractor and business/property owner
- Model Energy Code (MEC) check or COM check calculations
- a current survey of the property showing current lot coverage (with surveyor’s stamp)
- state fire marshal review notes and approval, if applicable
- Division of Public Health review and approval, if applicable
- soil and erosion control approvals, if applicable
- DNREC Shoreline Construction Approval Letter required by the state for projects in the ocean blocks up to Lake Gerar
- for demolitions and projects where hazardous materials are known to exist, one copy as proof of submission of the DNREC Air Quality Management form