Building Setbacks & Zoning in Kent County, DE (2026)

3 rules for unincorporated Kent County, Delaware.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Kent County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Setback Rules

In Kent County's unincorporated areas outside the Growth Zone Overlay, residential lots must keep principal structures 30 feet from the front subdivision street, 15 feet from side lines, and 30 feet from the rear line under Zoning Code Section 205-82.B. Front setbacks jump to 40 feet on any road that is not a platted subdivision street, per Section 205-82.C.

Kent County, DE Yard Setbacks by Zone

Some Restrictions

Kent County Code § 205-82.B, C

B. Setbacks. (1) Front (subdivision street): 30 feet. (2) Side: 15 feet. (3) Rear: 30 feet. C. Front setbacks from nonsubdivision streets shall be 40 feet.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Structure Height Limits

Outside Kent County's Growth Zone Overlay, residential structures in the AC, AR, RS1, RS5, and RMH zoning districts are capped at 35 feet, while the RM multifamily district allows up to 50 feet under Zoning Code Section 205-82.D. Homes elevated to meet National Flood Insurance Program requirements may exceed those caps.

Kent County, DE Residential Height Limits

Some Restrictions

Kent County Code § 205-82.D

D. Height limits. (1) AC, AR, RS1, RS5, RMH Zoning Districts: 35 feet. (2) RM Zoning District: 50 feet. (3) Maximum height may be increased above the limitation of Subsection D(1)and (2) of this section for elevation required by the National Flood Insurance Program.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Lot Coverage Limits

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.

Kent County ADU Lot Coverage Limit

Some Restrictions

Kent County Code § 101-4.D

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

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Kent County ordinances

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