Milford, DE - Official Website

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Building Inspections

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1. Do I need a building permit for my project?: This depends on the project. Additions, garages, sheds, pools, roofs, and siding all require building permits. Fences do not require a building permit within the City of Milford but must conform to the building codes. The county you reside in may require permits for fences. Building Permits

2. What are my setbacks?: Each zoning district has different setbacks and area regulations. To find your specific zoning and setbacks, please call us at (302) 424-3712.

3. When should I schedule a final inspection?: You will need to schedule a final inspection after you finish your projects. You can schedule an inspection by phone at (302) 424-3712, by email, or through our online form. Schedule an Inspection

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Code Enforcement

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1. What should I do after I receive a letter of violation?: 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 him/her 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 Department at (302) 424-3712 ext. 313.

2. How do I report a code violation?: If you believe you have witnessed a code violation, please call us at (302) 424-3712 ext. 313 or complete our online form, and we will look into the matter. Reports may be kept anonymous. File a Complaint

3. Do I need a license for my rental house / business?: Non-owner occupied homes require a rental license. Contractors working in the city are required to have a contractor's license. Businesses operating in Milford do not require a City of Milford license, but do require a State of Delaware license.

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Electric Division

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1. I have a street light or security light out, what should I do?: Call the Electric Department at (302) 422-6616 ext.135 to report the malfunctioning light. If no one is available to take your call, please leave your name, phone number, and address of light (including pole number, if you have it). A work order will be submitted for repair. Light repairs are typically done on Fridays.

2. I am an electrician / contractor and need to obtain a control number. Who do I call?: Jennifer Anderson in the Electric Department assigns control numbers. She can be reached at (302) 422-6616 ext. 135. If she is not available to take your call, leave your name, phone number, and address of property the control number will be assigned to.

3. Who should I contact for questions regarding my utility bill or to have my name added to or removed from an account?: The Billing Department 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.

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Metering Division

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1. How do I get a water meter for my house after my plumber has completed their work?: After the plumber's work is complete, either the homeowner or plumber should call the Meter Department at (302) 422-1110 ext. 125 with the permit number, address, and name of homeowner. The Meter Department will make sure all paperwork is in place and once it is your meter will be set within 48 hours.

2. How do I get an irrigation meter after my irrigation system is in place?: After the plumber's work is complete, either the homeowner or plumber should call the Meter Department at (302) 422-1110 ext. 125 with the permit number, address, and name of homeowner. The Meter Department will make sure all paperwork is in place and once it is your meter will be set within 48 hours.

3. How do I get an electric meter after the services have been installed?: When the electrician has completed all electrical work and an inspection has been done, the homeowner or electrician should call the Meter Department at (302) 422-1110 ext. 125 with the permit number, address, and name of homeowner. The Meter Department will make sure all paperwork is in place and once it is your meter will be set within 48 hours.

4. If my water or electric usage looks high or low what should I do?: First and foremost take a bill from the same time frame (May to May, or June to June, etc.) to compare your usage amounts. If this usage is more than 10% higher than the usage on the previous bill contact the Billing Department at (302) 422-6616 ext. 167, ext. 168, or ext. 169.

5. What can I do to reduce my electric and water usage in my house?: Contact the Billing or Meter Department and we will get you resources on things you can do to conserve both water and electric consumption.

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Parks & Recreation

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1. Where are the city parks located?: View our facilities module to find park locations and amenities. Facilities

2. What time does my program begin?: View our calendar of events to find times, dates, and additional information about upcoming programs and events. Events Calendar

3. How do I get on a mailing / email list to receive a current brochure?: Contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (302) 422-1104 to get brochures mailed to you. For email notifications, sign up on the following webpage. Notify Me

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Planning & Zoning

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1. What is the zoning of my property? What can I do on my property?: Each parcel of land has its own unique zoning designation. To determine what your zoning is, please call us at (302) 424-3712. If you know your zoning designation, and want to find out what is permitted on that property, please refer to the following document. Zoning Map

2. How can I submit an application for land use?: Our land use application can be found on our website. We recommend you meet with the city planner prior to submitting your application. To schedule a time, please call Christine Crouch at (302) 424-3712 ext. 308. Land Use Application

3. When is the next Planning Commission Meeting?: The Planning Commission meets the third Tuesday of each month. Check the calendar to see when they meet next.

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Police

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1. How do I report a crime?: To report a crime, you must first determine in what jurisdiction the crime was committed. If you do not know what jurisdiction you are in, you can call the Milford Police Department at (302) 422-8081. You can also call the department to report a crime in Milford's jurisdiction, or come to the department office at:
400 N.E. Front St.
Milford, DE 19963

2. Is the department hiring at this time?: 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. To download an application, please select the following document. Job Application

3. How do I obtain a copy of an accident report or a crime report?: If you need to obtain a copy of an accident report or a crime report, please contact the Milford Police Department Records Division at (302) 422-8081.

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Property Assessment

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1. What are the dates of the tax year?: The tax year runs from July 1 through June 30 of the following year.

2. How are assessments determined?: All taxable parcels in the city are valued as of the date of the last reassessment, which is January 1, 2002, using building construction costs, land values, and market values prevailing as of that date. The ad valorem tax is calculated by multiplying the assessment by the tax rate. The tax rate is determined by City Council and can be adjusted to meet the financing needs of the city.

3. Does the sale of a property trigger its reassessment?

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

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Solid Waste Division

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1. My garbage was not picked up today. Who do I call?: Garbage collection begins at 7:00 am. If your garbage was missed and you had it out by 7:00 am, please call Public Works at (302) 422-6616 ext.100.

2. What route am I on for recycling collection?: The city is divided into a maroon route and gold route for recycling. If your regular trash is picked up on Mondays, your recycling route color is gold. If your regular trash day is on a Tuesday or Friday, your recycling route color is maroon. View our recycling route map for more information.

3. When should trash be out at the curb for pick-up?: Trash should be out by 7:00 am the day of pick-up. View our collection guidelines for more information.

4. What is the schedule for holiday trash collection?: View our holiday trash schedule for more information.

5. How do I set up trash service or make changes to an existing service?: Contact the Billing Department at (302) 422-6616.

6. Will the city pick up household appliances, furniture, and other bulky items?: Yes, bulk collection is available for large household appliances and furniture. Please call the Solid Waste Department to schedule a collection at (302) 422-6616 ext.100. Bulk collection is done weekly on Wednesdays. No bulk item pick-ups will be scheduled on the weeks the city observes a holiday.

7. Will the city pick up yard waste?: Yes, yard waste collection is available on Wednesdays. Please call Public Works at (302) 422-6616 ext. 100 to schedule collection. View our collection guidelines for more information.

8. What do I do with all these leaves?: All leaves must be bagged for collection except during the months of November to January as the city will have the leaf vacuum operating. Please call Public Works to schedule for a leaf collection at (302) 422-6616 ext. 100.

9. Will Christmas trees be picked up by the city?: Christmas trees will be picked up during the month of January at no charge. Just place your Christmas tree at the curb where you normally place your trash can.

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Utility Billing

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1. What documentation is required to set up new services?: To set up new utility services, you must have a Delaware driver's license or a Delaware or military ID. 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.

2. What is the deadline for submitting an application for property tax reduction?: 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. Tax Reduction Qualifications

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Utility Locator

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1. Do I need a permit if I plan to dig on my property?: This depends on the type or extent of project. Before any work is done please contact Christine Crouch at 424-3712 xt. 308 to determine whether a permit is needed. We also reccomend that you check with your local County and State Inspections Offices prior to any work being performed.

2. What are these paint markings and flags doing in my yard?: Most liklely Miss Utility was notified of a planned utility/other work in this area. These markings identify the location of underground utilties. They provide protection to people involved in the area of work as well as protect the exsisting utilites from being disturbed.
PEASE DO NOT REMOVE THESE ITEMS.

3. My utilities are still not located, why?: The City does not locate privately owned utility lines. These may include water and/or electric services after the meters as well as residential sewer laterals. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Thomas Matich at 422-6616 xt.111.

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Water / Wastewater Division

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1. What is the property owner's responsibility?: The property owner is responsible for the lateral sewer line from their house to the city main, including the connection.

2. As a homeowner, what is my role regarding sewer maintenance?: It is important to become educated on sewer maintenance issues because every individual can play a role in helping to solve the problem. As a homeowner, you are responsible for the maintenance and repair of your house lateral, a pipe that connects your home to the public sewer system. A cracked or deteriorated lateral can allow groundwater to seep into the system or one filled with tree roots will result in sewer system backups.
In addition, you may be required to fix any improper connections, such as downspouts, driveway drains, or sump pumps connected directly to the sewer system. The stormwater collected from these devices must be drained to your property or directly connected to a separate stormwater system.

3. Is my service affected by what I put down the drain?

Yes, people who dispose of things such as grease, disposable mop heads, eggshells, coffee grounds, and kitty litter down toilets, garbage disposals, and sewer manholes frequently clog sewer lines.

Some helpful suggestions that will assist your local utility company include:

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

4. What kinds of problems do fat, oil, and grease cause?: Sewer capacity constraints are frequently caused by improper materials, including fats, oils, and greases being introduced into the sewer system by city residents and businesses.

5. What can I do to prevent sewer backups?: Be careful what you put in the sewer. Several items that should not be put into your sewer system are paper towels, diapers, baby wipes, mop heads, grease, and any item that will not dissolve.

6. What items should not be flushed down toilets?: Anything that will not totally dissolve could plug the sewer mains. Disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, bandages, disposable mop heads, rags, and plastic bags should not be flushed.

7. My water has a smell. What should I do?: Sometimes the chlorine can get into a pocket and a low residual can result in a rotten egg smell. If the residual is high you will smell a strong odor of chlorine. For both issues, run an outside spigot for a few minutes. This should help diminish the smell.