Who enforces each one, what edition applies, and what changes next. 7 of 8 state-level topic areas checked against primary sources. Federal OSHA state.
| Area | In force | Authority | Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire | Delaware State Fire Prevention Regulations (1 Del. Admin. Code 700/701), 2026 edition: NFPA 1 (2024 ed.) and NFPA 101 (2024 ed.), effective Jan 1, 2026The State Fire Prevention Commission adopted a new edition of Regulation 701 effective January 1, 2026. Added: NFPA 2 (2023), 70E (2024), 130 (2023). Listed editions include NFPA 1 (2024), 13 (2025), 25 (2023), 72 (2025), 101 (2024). The Fire Marshal letter says projects submitted on or after Dec 31, 2025 follow the 2026 edition. SourceChecked on the source | Office of the State Fire Marshal / State Fire Prevention Commission, statewide | In forceIn force (2026 edition effective Jan 1, 2026; SFM letter dated Dec 16, 2025 re-read Oct 19, 2026; letter lists NFPA 1 and 101, 2024 ed.; 29 DE Reg 509 final order linked but not opened) |
| Building | Building codes are adopted and enforced by the counties and municipalities (16 Del.C. ch. 76); local codes must meet the state energy codeKent, New Castle and Sussex counties may adopt and enforce building, plumbing and electrical codes (sec. 7601). Under sec. 7602, county and municipal codes adopt the latest IECC within 12 months of the Delaware Energy Office's adoption; the Energy Office reviews the energy code every three years. Confirm local dates with the county. SourceChecked on the source | County and municipal building departments; Delaware Energy Office (DNREC) sets the minimum energy code | No statewide codeIn force; 16 Del.C. ch. 76 re-read Oct 21, 2026; energy code reviewed every three years (April 2026 revision reported earlier, not re-read; local dates not read) |
| Elevators | State licenses elevator mechanics (24 Del.C. ch. 61); New Castle County enforces ASME A17.1 and A18.1 through its adopted IBC and Property Maintenance CodeNew Castle County's Land Use Department issues annual certificates of operation; its page (read Oct 20, 2026) requires inspection by a qualified elevator inspector "bi-annually" (twice a year or every two years is not stated) and annual testing by a state-licensed elevator mechanic. The state Board of Elevator Mechanics licenses mechanics only; chapter 61 sets no state inspection program. SourceReported, in verification | New Castle County Land Use Department (inspection/certificates); Board of Elevator Mechanics, Division of Professional Regulation (mechanic licensing) | In forceIn force; New Castle County page re-read Oct 22, 2026 (certificates issued annually, renewal statements mailed each June; ASME and IBC editions not named on the page; Kent and Sussex programs not read) |
| Boilers | Boiler Safety Program (7 Del.C. ch. 74B; 7 DE Admin. Code 1353): a certificate of inspection is required before a boiler or pressure vessel is operatedHigh-pressure and miniature boilers: certificate and internal inspection annually, external within six months. Low-pressure steam and hot-water heating boilers, hot-water supply boilers and lined water heaters: certificate every two years. Pressure vessels: every four years. Certificate posted on or near the object. Exemptions listed in section 1.2. SourceChecked on the source | DNREC Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances, Boiler Safety Program | In forceIn force; 7 DE Admin Code 1353 (sections 8.2, 9.1) read Oct 19, 2026 |
| Pools | DPH Regulation 4464, Public Swimming Pools, in force since Oct 11, 2015Reg 4464 (adopted Oct 1, 2015, effective Oct 11, 2015) requires an inspection at least once per year at every active pool. Motel, hotel and private campground pools need an attendant rather than a lifeguard (sec. 1.4.1). Water-quality limits include pH 7.2-7.8 and minimum free chlorine of 1.0 ppm without cyanuric acid, 3.0 ppm for spas. SourceChecked on the source | Division of Public Health, Health Systems Protection Section | In forceIn force; Reg 4464 archive text re-read Oct 19, 2026 (first ~100,000 characters; later amendments not ruled out) |
| Lodging | Annual state license per room for hotels, motels and tourist homes (30 Del.C. sec. 2301); life safety under the State Fire Prevention Regulations (NFPA 101, 2024 ed., effective Jan. 1, 2026)Sec. 2301 fees: hotels $25 per room and $30 per suite, motels $25 per room, tourist homes $15 per room, $25 per extra location. Hotel: at least 10 permanent guest bedrooms in an incorporated town, 6 elsewhere; tourist home: at least 5. Renewal terms not on the page; confirm with the Division of Revenue. SourceChecked on the source | Division of Revenue (license); State Fire Prevention Commission and Office of the State Fire Marshal (fire/life safety); Dept. of Health and Social Services (food areas) | No statewide ruleIn force; 30 Del.C. sec. 2301 re-read Oct 19, 2026; renewal date not stated on the page (confirm with Division of Revenue) |
| Workplace | Federal OSHA jurisdiction; Delaware has no State PlanDelaware is not an OSHA-approved State Plan; federal OSHA covers most private-sector employers statewide. State and local government employees are not covered by federal OSHA. SourceChecked on the source | Federal OSHA (U.S. Dept. of Labor) | In forceIn force; osha.gov State Plans page re-read Oct 19, 2026 |
| Environmental | Delaware DNREC layer over the federal baseline: stationary generator registration (Reg 1144) with a Reg 1102 permit for non-emergency units and emergency units above 450 kW; aboveground tank registration over 250 gallons (7 DE Admin Code 1352); UST registration with an annual per-tank fee (7 DE Admin Code 1351); asbestos notice to DNRECGenerators register with Air Quality; non-emergency units, or emergency units over 450 kW, need a Reg 1102 permit. ASTs over 250 gallons register. USTs: register each system, display the certificate, pay the annual per-tank fee by February 1 (Reg 1351, amended Jan 11, 2024). Asbestos: DNREC notice ten working days ahead. Sewage-overflow, lift-station, backflow and grease rules not read. SourceChecked on the source | DNREC (Waste and Hazardous Substances tanks; Division of Air Quality); local sewer and water utilities for lift-station, backflow and grease rules; U.S. EPA | Deadline Feb 1, 2027UST annual registration fee due Feb 1, 2027 (Reg 1351 final order, 27 DE Reg 533, read Oct 20, 2026); Tier II filing March 1, 2027; sewage-overflow reporting and statewide lift-station/backflow/grease rules not found |
What our record said before and after each change, with the date and the official source. A change to the record is not by itself a change in the law: an edition, a date or a source may have been corrected or made more precise. Confirm the current text with the authority.
Delaware State Fire Prevention Regulations (1 Del. Admin. Code 700/701), 2026 edition: NFPA 1 (2024 ed.) and NFPA 101 (2024 ed.), effective Jan 1, 2026. The State Fire Prevention Commission adopted a new edition of Regulation 701 effective January 1, 2026. Added: NFPA 2 (2023), 70E (2024), 130 (2023). Listed editions include NFPA 1 (2024), 13 (2025), 25 (2023), 72 (2025), 101 (2024). The Fire Marshal letter says projects submitted on or after Dec 31, 2025 follow the 2026 edition. Enforced by: Office of the State Fire Marshal / State Fire Prevention Commission, statewide.
Building codes are adopted and enforced by the counties and municipalities (16 Del.C. ch. 76); local codes must meet the state energy code. Kent, New Castle and Sussex counties may adopt and enforce building, plumbing and electrical codes (sec. 7601). Under sec. 7602, county and municipal codes adopt the latest IECC within 12 months of the Delaware Energy Office's adoption; the Energy Office reviews the energy code every three years. Confirm local dates with the county. Enforced by: County and municipal building departments; Delaware Energy Office (DNREC) sets the minimum energy code.
Elevators: New Castle County Land Use Department (inspection/certificates); Board of Elevator Mechanics, Division of Professional Regulation (mechanic licensing) (State licenses elevator mechanics (24 Del.C. ch. 61); New Castle County enforces ASME A17.1 and A18.1 through its adopted IBC and Property Maintenance Code). Boilers: DNREC Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances, Boiler Safety Program (Boiler Safety Program (7 Del.C. ch. 74B; 7 DE Admin. Code 1353): a certificate of inspection is required before a boiler or pressure vessel is operated).
Delaware is a federal-OSHA state: the U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA enforces workplace safety rules directly.
Environmental: Deadline Feb 1, 2027 (UST annual registration fee due Feb 1, 2027 (Reg 1351 final order, 27 DE Reg 533, read Oct 20, 2026); Tier II filing March 1, 2027; sewage-overflow reporting an); Jan 1, 2027: Automatic leak detection on existing 1,500 lb+ HFC commercial refrigeration; Feb 1, 2027: Annual per-tank UST registration fee; registration renews on payment and lapses without it (deliveries prohibited without a valid certificate).
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