Wilmington's STR framework under Ch. 48 Section 48-104.6 differentiates hosted stays, where the operator remains on-site, from unhosted whole-home rentals, with hosted arrangements generally facing fewer zoning constraints.
Under Wilmington Zoning Ch. 48 Section 48-104.6, hosted short-term rentals, where the registered operator lives on the premises during the guest stay, are treated as a less intensive land use than unhosted whole-home rentals. Hosted stays may include private-room rentals or accessory-dwelling-unit rentals while the host occupies the main dwelling. This distinction parallels approaches in many cities and aligns with the Delaware Landlord-Tenant Code's transient-occupancy exclusions at DE Title 25 Section 5101 et seq. Hosted operators must still register with Licenses and Inspections, post an emergency contact, and comply with occupancy and noise standards.
Misrepresenting an unhosted whole-home rental as a hosted stay can result in registration revocation, fines, and zoning enforcement under Wilmington Ch. 48.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Wilmington, DE
Residential swimming pools in Wilmington require a building permit from the Department of Licenses and Inspections and must comply with the Delaware State Bu...
Wilmington, DE
Delaware does not preempt local tiny-home rules, and Wilmington's City Code Chapter 48 (Zoning) treats dwellings under the standard residential district bulk...
Wilmington, DE
Carports in Wilmington are accessory structures regulated under City Code Chapter 48 (Zoning) and require a building permit from the Department of Licenses a...
Wilmington, DE
Wilmington follows Delaware HB 80 (2017) informal sanctuary protections. The Wilmington Police Department limits civil immigration cooperation with ICE; crim...
Wilmington, DE
Delaware's Healthy Delaware Families Act (DE 19 §3702A) created statewide paid family and medical leave, fully effective 2026. Wilmington cannot create a sep...
Wilmington, DE
Delaware preempts local minimum-wage rules. The state minimum wage rose from $13.25 (2025) to $15.00 effective 2026 under DE Title 19 §902, applying uniforml...
See how Wilmington's host presence rule rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.