Posted by Waste Happy
on September 10, 2026
Quick answer: Yes. Wilmington requires dog owners to pick up after their dogs under Wilmington City Code § 3-12. The fine for a first offense is at least $250.
What the Wilmington ordinance says
| Ordinance | Wilmington City Code § 3-12 (Removal of fecal matter of dogs, cats, pigeons and other animals or domestic birds) |
|---|---|
| Fine | At least $250 |
| Repeat offense | $500 |
| Must carry a bag | No |
| Service animal exemption | Yes |
How the penalty works
§ 3-12(c): first conviction, a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1,000; second conviction, $500 to $2,500; third or later conviction, not less than $1,000 (which may not be suspended) and not more than $5,000, or up to 30 days in jail, or both. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense. Under § 3-12(b), the complaining party files in court and must produce a witness to the act.
The carry rule
No carry requirement, but § 3-12(a) requires removal 'in a sanitary manner in an airtight bag or other closed container' deposited in a trash receptacle. Exemption: persons with loss or impairment of eyesight accompanied by a seeing eye or guide dog.
In practice
Pick up every time, bag it, and put it in a trash can. That is the one method that satisfies every ordinance in the country. The Walk Dispenser clips to the leash and holds a full roll.
Elsewhere in Delaware
Delaware dog poop laws covers the state and its other large cities. Nearby: Dover dog poop law · Newark dog poop law. All 50 states.
Source
Checked 2026-09-10 against the Wilmington municipal code. Codes change, so read the current version before relying on this for an actual citation.
This page is general information, not legal advice.
