DE HB118

Establishes Chapter 72 of Delaware Code authorizing Sussex County Council to promulgate and enforce property maintenance ordinances, rules, and regulations for buildings, structures, and property to ensure public health, safety, and welfare.

Authorizes Sussex County Council or its designee to issue notices and orders requiring property owners to remedy violations within 15 days or a specified timeframe, with provisions for abatement of violations if non-compliance continues.

Allows Sussex County to recover abatement expenses as tax liens on the property and to add unpaid fines or civil penalties to local property tax billings, collected as county real estate taxes.

Establishes penalties for violations with maximum fines per violation and per day, with each day of continued violation constituting a separate offense.

Exempts properties within incorporated cities or towns in Sussex County (unless enforcement responsibility transferred to County), agricultural/horticultural/forestry land, certain structures, and State Parks and Wildlife Areas from chapter application.