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.
Wilmington, DE
Wilmington's STR ordinance under Ch. 48 Section 48-104.6 distinguishes owner-occupied registrations from non-primary-residence rentals, with non-primary STRs...
Wilmington, DE
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in Wilmington are subject to zoning review under Ch. 48. The city has been updating rules to allow more infill housing, but A...
See how Wilmington's host presence rule rules stack up against other locations.
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