Sussex County, DE Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)

Zoning Code § 115-166 sets the design standards that apply to off-street parking areas countywide, including private driveways serving nonresidential and multifamily uses. Subsection C requires that parking spaces be separated from walkways, sidewalks, streets or alleys by a wall, fence, curbing or other protective device, or by enough distance that vehicles cannot protrude over publicly used areas, and it specifically states that parking within the front-yard setback is discouraged and subject to site plan review, meaning the Planning and Zoning Commission can scrutinize or condition such placement rather than allow it as of right.

Subsection B requires that all off-street parking facilities be surfaced with erosion-resistant material in accordance with county specifications and be drained to eliminate standing water and prevent damage to abutting property or public streets and alleys; parking areas cannot be used for vehicle sale, repair, dismantling or servicing. Subsection A(3) separately prohibits any off-street parking arrangement that forces vehicles to back out directly into a public road, except for dwelling units that each have an individual driveway, meaning single-family driveways are exempt from that specific backing-out ban.

Interior drives serving parking areas must be at least 24 feet wide under § 115-166E, and lots with more than 10 spaces must mark individual spaces under § 115-166F.