HVAC Contractor Permit Requirements in Wilmington, DE
Complete permit and license guide for starting a hvac contractor in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware.
Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .
Federal — start here
1 stopEIN (Employer Identification Number)
Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.
Official government sourceFreeImmediate (online application)
Free
Immediate (online application)
State of Delaware
2 stopsDelaware — No Sales Tax
Delaware has no state or local sales tax. Instead, Delaware levies a Gross Receipts Tax on the seller of goods or provider of services, based on total receipts. Register with the Delaware Division of Revenue.
Official government sourceFree (gross receipts tax registration)Immediate (online)
Free (gross receipts tax registration)
Immediate (online)
EPA Section 608 Certification (for refrigerants)
Technicians who purchase, recover, or handle refrigerants must hold EPA Section 608 certification. Required by federal law regardless of state.
Official government source$20–$100 (exam)1–2 days
$20–$100 (exam)
1–2 days
City of Wilmington / New Castle County
3 stopsDelaware Board of Plumbing, HVACR Examiners — HVAC Contractor License
HVAC contractors in Delaware must hold a Master or Master Restricted HVACR license from the Delaware Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners (Division of Professional Regulation). EPA Section 608 certification is separately required (federal) for refrigerant handling. Local permits are required for each project.
Official government source$173 (Master HVACR initial application)4–8 weeks
$173 (Master HVACR initial application)
4–8 weeks
City of Wilmington Business License (Department of Finance, Wage/Business License Division)
Businesses operating inside Wilmington must hold a City of Wilmington business license in addition to their State of Delaware business license. Applications are filed with the Department of Finance, Wage/Business License Division (302-576-2415), and a copy of the current State of Delaware business license must be attached. Fees are set per license-type code; air conditioning, plumbing, heating, mechanical and refrigeration contractors must first pass a trade test with the Department of Licenses and Inspections. Employers also pay a head tax of $15 per month for each employee above five.
Official government sourceSet by license-type code (fee increase effective 1/1/2024): $200/year for most non-professional services (e.g. landscaping/tree services, beauty parlor/barber shop, day care centers, janitorial, pest control, photographers) and construction trades; $300 for professional services; $250 for retailers; $151 for a mobile food vendor; $50 branch license1–3 weeks
Set by license-type code (fee increase effective 1/1/2024): $200/year for most non-professional services (e.g. landscaping/tree services, beauty parlor/barber shop, day care centers, janitorial, pest control, photographers) and construction trades; $300 for professional services; $250 for retailers; $151 for a mobile food vendor; $50 branch license
1–3 weeks
City of Wilmington Mechanical Permit (per project)
A mechanical permit must be obtained from the City of Wilmington Department of Licenses and Inspections for each HVAC installation or major repair inside city limits — New Castle County has no jurisdiction here. Inspections are required on completion. Air conditioning, heating, mechanical and refrigeration contractors must also pass a City trade test with the Chief Plumbing Inspector before a Wilmington business license is issued.
Official government source$20 per craft used (air conditioning, heating and mechanical ventilation each count as a craft), capped at $50 per job, plus the building permit fee of $12 per $1,000 of construction cost, per the City's published Development Review Process fee list1–5 business days
$20 per craft used (air conditioning, heating and mechanical ventilation each count as a craft), capped at $50 per job, plus the building permit fee of $12 per $1,000 of construction cost, per the City's published Development Review Process fee list
1–5 business days
Terminus
Open for business — est. $400–$1,500 · 4–10 weeks
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Official Sources
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