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

2 rules for unincorporated Sussex County, Delaware.

Verified from official government sources

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

Setback Rules

In the AR-1 and AR-2 Agricultural Residential Districts, Sussex County's default zoning outside incorporated towns, § 115-25(C) sets a 40-foot front yard (30 feet on numbered highways), a 15-foot side yard and a 20-foot rear yard, dropping to 25/10/10 feet for central-sewer cluster development.

Sussex County Yard Setback Minimums

Some Restrictions

Sussex County Code § 115-25(C)

C. Minimum yard requirements. Minimum yard requirements shall be as follows: District Depth of Front Yard (feet) Width of Side Yard* (feet) Depth of Rear Yard (feet) Minimum Lot Width (feet) AR-1 and AR-2 (Cluster with central sewer) 25 10 10 60 AR- and AR-2 (All others) 40(30)** 15 20 100

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Structure Height Limits

In Sussex County's AR-1 and AR-2 Agricultural Residential Districts, the base zoning districts covering most of unincorporated Sussex County, buildings are capped at 42 feet under Zoning Code § 115-25(D). Chimneys, church spires, silos and similar structures are exempt from the height limit.

Sussex County Residential Building Height Cap

Some Restrictions

Sussex County Code § 115-25(D)

D. Maximum height requirements. Maximum height requirements shall be as follows: District Feet AR-1 and AR-2 42

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Sussex County ordinances

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