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Kent County, DE Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

ADU lot coverage cap
50% of lot as impervious surface
Scope
Buildings, driveways, patios combined
Citation
Kent County Code § 101-4.D
General zoning tables
No separate coverage % listed
Variances
Board of Adjustment, Chapter 205

Summary

Kent County Code § 101-4.D caps total lot coverage, meaning impervious surface such as buildings, driveways and patios, at 50% for any property adding an accessory dwelling unit. The county's general residential zoning tables list lot size, frontage, width, setbacks and height by district but do not print a separate impervious-coverage percentage outside this ADU-triggered limit.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Kent County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

D. Total lot coverage (impervious cover) is limited to 50%.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Section 101-4 of the Kent County Code sets the development standards that apply once a property adds an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). " That cap applies to the whole lot, principal dwelling, ADU, driveways, patios and any other impervious surface combined, once construction of the ADU is proposed. C). D is the clearest lot-coverage figure printed in the Code, and it is specific to properties building an ADU. F.

Violations & Fines

Exceeding the 50% impervious cap on an ADU property is a Chapter 101 violation enforceable under § 90-8: administrative fines of $100 for a first ticket, $200 for a second, and $300 for later tickets within a year, doubling if unpaid within 30 calendar days, with appeal to the Board of Appeals within 10 days under § 90-18.B.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum lot coverage in Kent County?
Kent County's code does not publish a general lot-coverage percentage for ordinary residential zoning districts; § 101-4.D sets the clearest figure printed in the Code, a 50% impervious-cover cap that applies specifically to properties adding an accessory dwelling unit.
Does the 50% limit include my driveway and patio?
Yes. Section 101-4.D caps "total lot coverage (impervious cover)" at 50%, a term that covers buildings, driveways, patios and any other surface that prevents water from soaking into the ground, not just the footprint of the structures themselves.
Can I exceed the lot coverage cap with a variance?
Possibly. Section 101-4.F lets the Board of Adjustment consider variances from the ADU chapter's development standards, including the 50% lot coverage cap, using the standards and procedures set out in Chapter 205, Zoning.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Kent County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsSetback RulesSome RestrictionsStructure Height LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSignificant Restrictions

All Kent County rules

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