Bolthole Index county-legal census · checked 2026-09-11
1 of Delaware's 3 counties — 33% — let an owner build their own home without a licensed contractor. That is the 48th-largest count of any state. The strongest of them on the Bolthole Index is New Castle County (44/100). Every entry below cites the county’s own official source.
Rules change, and cities inside these counties set their own — treat this as a verified starting point, not legal advice. All 1516 counties nationwide → Full Delaware profile →
1 of 3 Delaware counties · sorted by Index score
County Building Code allows construction by a registered contractor or by 'an individual holding a permit,' indicating a property owner may hold their own building permit.
New Castle County Code Chapter 6 - Building Code ↗Every county here has a full profile — water, land prices, hazard safety, seclusion, and the rest of its building rules. See the Delaware state page for all 3 counties ranked, or go back to the national list.
General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.
