Register Your Vacant Property

Download the registration form here.

The entire form must be filled out completely and accurately to be accepted. Mail to:

Vacant Registrations
Department of Licenses and Inspections
800 N. French Street
Wilmington, DE 19801

or fax to (302) 658-2226.

If an owner fails to return the registration form for all their vacant properties, to amend the registration statement, if applicable, or pay the registration fee, the City of Wilmington may institute criminal proceedings against the owner of the property. An owner is subject to a potential fine of $500.00. In addition, the City of Wilmington may bring a civil action to collect any unpaid registration fees.

Please call the Department of Licenses and Inspections regarding any questions you may have about the completion and/or submittal of this form at (302) 576-3096.

If the owner’s mailing address has changed or changes within the next year or the property is sold to a new owner, under Wilmington City Code Chapter 4, §4-27, 125.0 et seq. the owner is responsible to update this information and must notify the Department of Licenses and Inspections within 30 days of a such a change.

Vacant Property Fees

Attention Mortgage Companies and Property Maintenance Companies (REO's): Do not remit a vacant registration fee until you receive a bright yellow vacant property statement on or about November 1st.

The registration fee due for each property is determined by the number of years the property has been vacant, regardless of varying ownership. The following is the current fee structure:

Failure to Register a Vacant Property

If an owner fails to register all vacant properties, to amend the registration statement if applicable, or pay the registration fee, the City of Wilmington may institute criminal proceedings against the owner of the property. An owner is subject to a potential fine of $500.00. In addition, the City of Wilmington may bring a civil action to collect any unpaid registration fees.