Sussex County, DE Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Section 115-191(B) limits owner-occupied single-family residential property to no more than a total of two automotive vehicles, boats or other watercraft that are inoperable, dismantled, wrecked, carry registration plates or stickers at least 30 days expired, lack current valid registration, or are missing major components or otherwise incapable of operation without repair. Beyond that count, such vehicles or boats must be kept in a completely enclosed garage or other permitted accessory structure on the same lot; § 115-191(C) separately bars any vehicle or boat from sitting on vacant residential land that has no certificate of compliance under § 115-223(A). Section 115-191.4 exempts a properly housed antique car (as defined by 21 Del. C. § 2196) kept out of street view, vehicles or boats not required to be licensed under Delaware law, and property inside incorporated towns unless code enforcement has been transferred to the county.

Enforcement runs through the Property Maintenance Code rather than the zoning office directly: § 115-191.3 routes violations, procedure and penalties to Chapter 80, §§ 80-2 through 80-5. Under § 80-4(C), the Constable inspects on complaint, and if a violation is confirmed the owner has 10 calendar days to correct it before facing a $100 civil penalty per ticket, which doubles to $200 if not paid within 30 days of the ticket. The violation is treated as continuing, so a new ticket and separate penalty can be issued for each day it persists, and the county need not re-notice the same violation within a 12-month window. Civil penalties may be added directly to the property's county tax bill.