Home Business in Sussex County, DE (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Sussex County, Delaware.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Sussex County zoning lists a home occupation as a permitted accessory use in AR-1, AR-2 and other residential districts, but Section 115-4 caps it tightly: the business must run solely by family members living on the premises, sell only goods made there, and skip any group instruction or outside display.
Home Occupation Zoning Rules in Sussex County
Some RestrictionsSussex County Code § 115-4
HOME OCCUPATION Any occupation, profession, enterprise or activity, conducted solely by one or more members of a family on the premises, which is incidental and secondary to the use of the premises for dwelling, provided that no commodity is stored or sold, except such as is made on the premises, and there shall be no group instruction, assembly or activity and no outside storage or display mat...
Signage Rules
Sussex County caps a home occupation's on-site sign at six square feet per side under Zoning Code § 115-159.1. The sign must be nonilluminated and cannot advertise anything beyond the permitted home business or a qualifying farm use.
Sussex County Home Occupation Sign Limit
Some RestrictionsSussex County Code § 115-159.1A(3)
One nonilluminated on-premises sign not to exceed six square feet of sign area per side, identifying a permitted home occupation on the premises or a permitted use on a farm of five acres or more. A sign shall contain no more than two sides or facings, back to back, and shall conform to the setbacks referenced in Subsection A(2) above.
Home Daycare
Sussex County zones a family day-care home as a home occupation for one to six children, excluding relatives, and requires state licensing through the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families before it can operate on a residential lot.
Family Day-Care Home Rules in Sussex County
Some RestrictionsSussex County Code § 115-4
FAMILY DAY-CARE HOME A home occupation providing care, protection, supervision and guidance in private homes for one to six children, excluding care provided by relatives. Service is provided for part of the twenty-four-hour day, unattended by parent or guardian, and for compensation. Due to a change in shifts or because of before- and after-school care, the number of children in care may excee...
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