DE HB188

Amends Delaware Code Title 9 Section 2907 to allow the Department of Land Use to place tax liens on properties for expenses incurred in removing, repairing, razing, or demolishing unsafe or illegal buildings and structures.

Adds new subsection allowing unpaid fines or civil penalties for violations of New Castle Property Maintenance Code to be added to local property tax billings and collected as county real estate taxes.

Expands New Castle County's authority to maintain civil actions and writs of monition for recovery of charges, fees, fines, and penalties assessed under these provisions.

Amends Delaware Code Title 25 Section 2901 to broaden the definition of charges that create property liens to include fines and civil penalties for violations of local building, property maintenance, zoning, drainage, sewer, housing, and sanitation codes.

Allows political subdivisions to add unpaid fines, civil penalties, and code violation abatement costs to property tax billings when authorized by local ordinance, enabling collection through the standard real estate tax process.