Short-term rental permit rules in New Castle County, DE — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
New Castle County does not have a specific STR permit system for unincorporated areas. STRs must comply with zoning (UDC Chapter 40), Delaware's 8% lodging tax, and applicable building safety standards.
New Castle County's Unified Development Code (UDC, Chapter 40) governs land use in unincorporated areas. Short-term rentals may be treated as transient accommodations under zoning; property owners should verify their zoning district's permitted uses. While there is no county STR permit process, Delaware's 8% lodging tax (Del. Code Title 30 §6101) applies to all transient accommodations. Rental properties must meet county property maintenance standards (Ch. 7, 2018 IPMC).
Operating an STR contrary to zoning can result in code enforcement action. Failure to collect/remit state lodging tax results in penalties from the Delaware Division of Revenue.
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See how New Castle County's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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