Business Licensing & Operations in Kent County, DE (2026)

2 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.

Adult Entertainment

Kent County zoning bars a new adult entertainment establishment within 1,500 feet of another one, 2,800 feet of a school or place of worship, and 500 feet of the AC, AR, RS1, RS5, RMH or RM Districts. Section 205-71.A sets these siting buffers as conditions of approval, on top of the zoning certificate of use every commercial use must obtain.

Kent County Adult Entertainment Spacing Rules

Significant Restrictions

Kent County Code § 205-71.A

A. Adult entertainment establishments. (1) No such adult entertainment establishment shall be allowed within 1,500 feet of another existing adult entertainment establishment. (2) No such adult entertainment establishment shall be located within 2,800 feet of an existing school or place of worship. (3) No such adult entertainment establishment shall be located within 500 feet of the following zo...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Auto Repair on Residential Property

Kent County's zoning code flatly excludes automobile and accessory service or repair from the list of suitable home occupations under § 205-55, alongside watercraft repair, machinery repair and manufacturing. A resident cannot operate a car-repair business from a dwelling in any zoning district, home occupation approval or not.

Kent County Bars Home Auto Repair Businesses

Heavy Restrictions

Kent County Code § 205-55, 'Home Occupations' definition, Subsection B

HOME OCCUPATIONS ... The following shall not be considered suitable uses for home occupation: (1) Antique shops. (2) Child-care centers (more than nine children). (3) Manufacturing. (4) Automobiles and accessories. (5) Watercraft and accessories. (6) Mortuaries. (7) Product distribution centers (on-premises). (8) Service and/or repairs: (a) Automobile and accessories. (b) Watercraft and accesso...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Kent County ordinances

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