Applications and Fees

Online Permit Portal

The City’s Development & Permitting Services (DPS) portal allows citizens to apply for Zoning Permits, Entitlement Applications, Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs), and Right-of-Way Permits online. Users can submit permit applications, track the progress of existing applications, resubmit plans and documents, and pay invoices.

All permit applications must be submitted via the DPS permit portal.

Permits and Applications on the Portal

Development Review

Site Plan Review

Pre-TRC Consultation-Site Plan Application
Site Plan Review Application

Stormwater

All projects that require a stormwater permit (drainage plan or full stormwater permit) must complete and submit a signed Stormwater Permit Application form. See the Stormwater Permits page for more information.

Subdivision Review

Pre-TRC Consultation-Preliminary Plan Application
Preliminary Plan Review Application

Design Adjustments

Design Adjustment (Design Adjustment Committee)

Verification Letters

Floodplain Verification Letter
Zoning Verification Letter

Rezoning

Conditional District Rezoning Application
General Rezoning Application

Land Development Code (LDC) Amendment

LDC Amendment Application

Annexation

Contiguous Annexation Application
Non-Contiguous Annexation Application
Distressed Area Annexation Application

Street Closure

Street Closure Application

Historic Preservation

Certificates of Appropriateness

Minor Works (Administrative Bypass) Online Application
Major Works Application (Historic Preservation Commission)
Height Restrictions in the Central Business District

Local Historic Landmark Designation

Application for placement on the Historic Landmark Study List
Application for Historic Landmark Designation

Tree Removal in Historic Districts

Apply for a Tree Removal Permit in Historic District

Zoning

Zoning Permits

Accessory Structure
Bed and Breakfast
Billboard Sign
Business Zoning Compliance
Community Garden
Group Home
Home Occupation
Mobile Food Unit
Oversized Overweight/House Move
Sandwich Board Sign
Sexually Oriented Business
Shipping Container
Sidewalk Cafe
Sign
Street Furniture
Temporary Sign
Temporary Use
Tree Removal
Vehicle Towing

Verification Letters

Floodplain Verification Letter
Zoning Verification Letter

Right-of-way Permits

Right-of-Way office issues the following permits for construction activities:

Right-of-Way General*
Utility Main/Service
Driveway
House Moving

ROW permit applications can now be completed online. Click here for the online application.
A permit portal guide is provided to assist with new log-ins, tracking applications and invoices.

Other Permits & Forms are listed in a separate section to the right of this page.

Fees

The City's Fee Schedule is established annually and posted online.

Beware Fraudulent Invoices

The City of Wilmington is aware that fraudulent invoices have been sent to applicants requesting money via wire transfer. The emails often contain pertinent information pulled from the application (such as address, parcel number, and case number), but include a fake invoice with fabricated application fees.

Here are a few ways to spot a fraudulent invoice:

Applications must be filed online via the City's Development and Permitting Services (DPS) platform. This platform will generate invoices for application fees, and your personal dashboard on that platform will identify any outstanding fees. You can also obtain a copy of the invoice via that platform.
The City will never request payment via wire transfer or issue an invoice that asks you to contact someone via email or phone for them to provide the payment method.
Many fraudulent invoices reference exorbitant fees. As noted, your personal dashboard in the DPS platform will identify any outstanding fees. Please review the permit fees in the City's Fee Schedule to ensure you are being charged the proper amount.

If ever in doubt, don't hesitate to city staff to confirm if the email or invoice you have received is authentic.