Parking Rules in Kent County, DE (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Kent County, Delaware.
Verified from official government sources
RV & Boat Parking
Kent County allows recreational vehicles on residential property but forbids using one as a permanent home under Zoning Code § 205-24. An RV counts as inhabited if someone sleeps, cooks, or runs power cords or hoses to it, and hooking an RV to a sewer line or dumping its waste anywhere but a designated RV dump station is flatly prohibited.
Kent County Rules on Living in Parked RVs
Some RestrictionsKent County Code § 205-24
A. Recreational vehicles shall not be considered dwelling units intended for permanent habitation unless being used as a temporary emergency residence. B. For purposes of this section, evidence of human habitation shall include activities such as sleeping, setting up housekeeping or cooking, eating, recreating, running electrical cords, extension cords, hoses, cables, or other items to the vehi...
Driveway Rules
Every parking area, loading area and driveway in Kent County must be graded and drained to shed surface water and finished with a durable dust-free surface the Department of Planning Services approves. Section 171-2.D also requires drainage to be collected and treated so it meets DNREC surface water quality standards before reaching any waterway.
Kent County Driveway Surface Requirements
Some RestrictionsKent County Code § 171-2.D
All parking areas, loading areas and driveways shall be graded and drained to dispose of surface water accumulation and shall be improved with a durable dust-free surface considered appropriate by the Department of Planning Services. All drainage shall be collected and given appropriate treatment to ensure water quality that, upon release to surface waters, will allow compliance with DNREC Surf...
Commercial & Oversized Vehicles
Kent County Code § 171-2(C) bars parking a commercial vehicle on a public right-of-way or on a residential lot, with narrow exceptions for vehicles tied to a permitted use, temporary service calls, and one two-ton-or-lighter work vehicle used to commute. The Department of Planning Services enforces the rule under Chapter 171's 2024 parking design standards.
Kent County, DE Bars Residential Commercial Parking
Significant RestrictionsKent County Code § 171-2(C)
A commercial vehicle or vehicle used for commercial purposes may not be parked on a public right-of-way or on a lot in a residential district, except: When part of a permitted use in the particular zoning classification wherein located; When providing temporary service; or When the vehicle is an automobile, nonrefrigerated truck or van having a manufacturer's rating capacity of not more than tw...
EV Charging
Kent County Code § 171-2(G) doesn't require EV charging stations, but it directs that any charging spaces built be installed to comply with the Delaware Code and encourages developers to add extra charging capacity during site design. The Department of Planning Services reviews the choice as part of land development review under Chapter 171's parking standards.
Kent County, DE EV Charging Space Rules
Few RestrictionsKent County Code § 171-2(G)
Electric vehicle (EV) charging spaces shall be installed in compliance with the Delaware Code. Additional space permitted, and encouraged, to be designed as part of the site development process. If charging station installation would not currently be needed, then pre-wiring should be considered as part of the site development. Shared EV spaces between multiple adjacent uses should be considered...
Abandoned Vehicles
Kent County Zoning Code § 205-27 bars storing, parking or abandoning inoperable, wrecked or unregistered motor vehicles on any lot. Owners get a narrow exception for up to two exempt vehicles at a time, covering ones recently purchased and awaiting inspection, listed for sale, actively being repaired within 90 days, or held pending an insurance or estate settlement.
Kent County Bans Junked, Unregistered Vehicles
Significant RestrictionsKent County Code § 205-27.B, C
B. Land may not be used partially or principally as a junkyard or a solid waste disposal facility. C. Land may not be used for the parking, storage, collection, accumulation or abandonment of: (1) Any inoperable, wrecked, partially dismantled or destroyed motor vehicles; (2) Any motor vehicle that is subject to the registration requirements of the Delaware Vehicle Law that does not display curr...
Loading Zones
Kent County Code § 171-4(B) requires every off-street loading space to be sized and placed to fit the proposed land use, sit close to the building it serves, and be clearly marked on the site or plot plan. The Department of Planning Services checks compliance during land development and site plan review under Chapter 171.
Kent County, DE Off-Street Loading Space Rules
Some RestrictionsKent County Code § 171-4(B)
Loading spaces. Each loading space shall be designed to meet the location and size needed for the proposed land use. Off-street loading spaces shall be provided in close proximity to the principal or accessory use served. Each loading space shall be clearly marked on the site plan or plot plan as applicable.
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