Assistant Town Manager/Building Department Supervisor
Jim Dedes
jdedes@townofdeweybeach.com

Building & Zoning Department
Do I Need A Permit? Applications Zoning More Info
General Information
Staff Directory
Location
105 Rodney Avenue
Dewey Beach,
DE
19971
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Building & Zoning Department

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Building & Zoning Department

ABOUT

Welcome to the Dewey Beach Building Department! We're here to assist you with construction and maintenance questions, zoning, code enforcement, flood risk and mitigation.

DO I NEED A PERMIT?

It's always a great idea to check if your project requires a permit prior to starting any work. Some maintenance projects may not require any notice to our department, while others can potentially require a Notification of Work, or a Building Permit, depending on the scope and project cost. Click here to find out if your project requires any notification or permits from us. 

CODE ENFORCEMENT

Dewey Beach Code Enforcement will conduct routine patrols throughout town to ensure that all ongoing work complies with applicable regulations. This includes verifying that required permits have been properly obtained and that any work being performed remains within the scope of the approved permit. In addition, officers will check that businesses operating within town limits maintain valid and current business licenses.

The Town’s approach emphasizes education first, with staff working to inform property owners and contractors of applicable requirements and encourage voluntary compliance. Enforcement measures will be used when necessary to address violations that remain uncorrected. These efforts are intended to promote fairness, accountability, and consistency, ensuring that all residents and business owners adhere to the same standards and operate on a level playing field.

FLOOD MITIGATION

Dewey Beach remains committed to proactive flood mitigation efforts to protect both property owners and the surrounding coastal environment. The Town is comprised of multiple flood zones, each with specific requirements that govern what can be constructed and how structures must be built to withstand potential flooding and coastal storm impacts. These regulations are designed to reduce risk, enhance resilience, and ensure long-term sustainability.

To further support these goals, Dewey Beach continuously evaluates and improves its building code regulations, adapting to evolving best practices and environmental challenges. Property owners are encouraged to understand the requirements applicable to their specific location to ensure compliance and maximize protection. Assistant Town Manager Jim Dedes and Certified Floodplain Manager Dave Naples are available to answer questions and provide guidance tailored to individual properties and project needs.