Frequently Asked Questions

This depends on the project. Additions, garages, sheds, pools, roofs, fences and siding all require building permits.  You should check with your homeowners association for any submission requirements for building permits.  

Each zoning district has different setbacks and area regulations. To find your specific zoning district, use the City’s Parcel and Zoning Mapping Application.  Use and area regulations, including setbacks, are found in Chapter 230, Article III.  For more information or help with zoning, land use or setback questions, please call us at (302) 424-8396 option 6.

You will need to schedule a final inspection after you finish your projects. You can schedule an inspection by phone at (302) 424-8396 option 3.

If you have been informed of a violation, please contact the code enforcement officer who sent you the letter. It is important that you make contact with them within the time specified within the letter. The contact information should be located on your letter. If you cannot find this information, please contact the Code Enforcement & Licensing Division at (302) 424-8396 option 5.

To report a property code violation, complete our online form or contact us at (302) 424 8396 option 4.  Reports may be kept anonymous.

Non-owner occupied homes are required to obtain a residential rental license from the City prior to renting the property and must renew annually with the Planning & Economic Development Department.   

Contractors performing work within the City and vendors operating within the City are required to obtain licenses from the City Planning & Economic Development Department.  

Businesses with physical locations within the City are required to obtain a business license from the Planning & Economic Development Department..

Click here for more information on licensing.

Residential rental licenses can be obtained from the Planning & Economic Development Department at 180 Vickers Drive and are valid January 1 through December 31 of each year.  All rental units in the City of Milford are to be inspected on a four-year cycle based on the City ward in which they are located.  Ward 1 will be inspected in 2020, Ward 2 will be inspected in 2021, Ward 3 will be inspected in 2022 and Ward 4 will be inspected in 2023.  For new licenses, the unit must be inspected by the City before the license can be issued.  For more information on the Rental Inspection program, please contact the Planning & Economic Development Department at (302) 424-8396 option 4, or visit our webpage.

Each parcel of land has its own unique zoning designation.  Please use the City’s Parcel and Zoning Mapping Application to look up your address and determine your zoning designation.  If you are unable to determine your zoning, or have zoning and land use related questions, please contact the Planning Department at (302) 424-8396 option 7.

Our land use application can be found on our website. We recommend you meet with the Planning & Economic Development Department prior to submitting your application. To schedule a time, please call the Planning & Economic Development Department at (302) 424-8396 option 6.

The Planning Commission meets the third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm at City Hall, 201 S Walnut Street.  

The Board of Adjustment meets the second Thursday of each month at 10:00 am at City Hall, 201 S Walnut Street.  

Meeting agendas, packets, and minutes are available online for review by the public.  Viewing the meeting live or recorded is available online. Check the calendar to see when they meet next.

New businesses in the City of Milford are encouraged to contact the Planning & Economic Development Department early in the process to determine what is required by the City’s zoning code or building code prior to beginning operation.  The business owner must obtain a Certificate of Use from the Planning & Economic Development Department prior to having utilities placed in their name to ensure the proposed use is allowed on the property and to outline the steps needed to obtain a new Certificate of Occupancy.  Click here to find out more information on the steps required to open your business in Milford.

FEMA provides an online mapping tool that allows you to search for your address and determine if your property is impacted.

The Milford Police Department accepts applications for police officers or civilian personnel at any time, whether we have positions available or not. We keep all applications on file for one year. Job Application

No. Assessments are changed only in the event of:

• A change in the property requiring a reassessment
• A citywide reassessment
• The council ordering a change due to a successful assessment appeal
• The discovery of an error or omission in the property record

Additional Tax Information

To set up new utility services, you must have a drivers license or state ID and Social Security Number. You must also have a lease signed by all parties or settlement paperwork. Fees include a deposit and connection fees. All individuals listed on documentation must be present to sign up for services. For more information please visit the Customer Service page.

Property tax reduction applications must be submitted by June 1 of each year. Contact the Utility Billing Department at (302) 422-6616 for more information.

Contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (302) 422-1104 to have brochures mailed to you or subscribe to News Flash/Home Page News on the following webpage.

Submit a Let Us Know form (below link) with as much information as you can.  Light repairs are typically performed on Fridays.

Call the Public Works Department at (302) 422-1110 to obtain a control number.  If no one is available to take your call, leave your name, phone number, and address of the property the control number will be assigned to and someone will return your call.

The Customer Service Office takes care of any and all utility bill related issues. They can be reached at (302) 422-6616 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm. Name changes require written requests and can be done via email at CustomerService@Milford-DE.GOV

Garbage collection begins at 7:00 am. If your garbage was missed and you had it out by 7:00 am, please submit the missed pickup on the MyMilford portal.

Contact the Customer Service Department at 302.422.6616.

Yes, bulk collection is available for large household appliances and furniture. Please call the Customer Service Department to schedule a collection at 302.422.6616, there is a limited number of collections each week. Bulk collection is done weekly on Mondays. No bulk item pick-ups will be scheduled on the weeks the city observes a holiday.

As the City performs maintenance on the water infrastructure, it stirs up sediment, which causes discolored water.  Run an outside spigot for a few minutes until the water turns clear.

• Not disposing of grease down drains such as cooking oils, fat, etc.
• Seeking out hazardous materials disposal sites for the disposition of motor oils, transmission fluids, antifreeze, paints, turpentine, and caustic household cleaners
• Disposing of rags, mop heads, coffee grounds, eggshells, kitty litter, and the like by properly wrapping or sealing them and placing them in solid waste containers

• It is a tool for letting the City know what you think should be fixed.  
• You can take and upload pictures of the problem you see. 
• Requests are located using a point on a map. 
• The City can respond to you or ask additional questions.

MyMilford, powered by SeeClickFix, is an easy way for residents to report concerns directly to the City and have department staff follow up to resolve the issues. Please use a detailed address, description, and photo (if possible) to give as much information to City staff so they can investigate and determine the best way to address your concerns. You are encouraged to enter your email address on reports in order to get automated updates on the status of your issue as City staff work to resolve it. This system is best suited to respond to service requests like potholes, street lights, etc. that can be assigned to staff and addressed in a timely manner. Issues requiring immediate attention or those dealing with public safety should be reported directly to the Milford Police Non-Emergency Line at 302-422-8081 as this system is not monitored 24/7.

MyMilford by SeeClickFix is an additional resource for community members to report infrastructure issues. Using the app is an efficient way to raise awareness within the City without having to make a phone call. The app streamlines the process of submitting a photo, description of the issue and location; also, MyMilford allows you to track the status of reported issues.

• Requests are placed on a map
• Public requests will remain on the map for anyone to review and share
• There is a mobile app
• Photos can be taken directly from mobile devices and uploaded

Issues threatening public safety or things needing immediate attention (like downed wires, tree limbs, or needles), should be reported directly to the Milford Police Non-Emergency Line at 302-422-8081. Things that require long-term planning, a larger discussion, a community process, or involve multiple departments or non-City entities should be directed to the appropriate department by phone call or email as these issues are not easily "fixable" in the same way a pothole, streetlight, etc. are.

This system is best suited to respond to service requests like potholes, street lights, etc. that can be assigned to staff and addressed in a timely manner. Start a report with the address of the issue and you will then see a drop-down menu with all of the possible categories of issues you can report using this system.  Issues threatening public safety or requiring immediate attention should always be reported directly to the Milford Police Non-Emergency Line at 302-422-8081.

You will automatically receive updates on your request if you create a free MyMilford by SeeClickFix account.

The City receives many requests per day, and departments do their best to response in a timely manner.  If you submitted a request and it hasn't been resolved, please be patient as staff is processing requests in the order that they come in.

There is no cost to the user to use MyMilford by SeeClickFix. The app is free for download and the browser version is also free.