Building Setbacks & Zoning in Delaware (2026)
11 rules on the books across Delaware, 4 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Setback Rules
How far structures must be from property lines, streets, and other buildings. Different setbacks apply to front, side, and rear yards.
Kent County
Some RestrictionsIn Kent County's unincorporated areas outside the Growth Zone Overlay, residential lots must keep principal structures…
Read full rule →New Castle County
Some RestrictionsNew Castle County's Unified Development Code sets minimum front, side, and rear yard setbacks for every zoning district…
Read full rule →Sussex County
Some RestrictionsIn the AR-1 and AR-2 Agricultural Residential Districts, Sussex County's default zoning outside incorporated towns, §…
Read full rule →Wilmington
Some RestrictionsWilmington sets a minimum building setback from the street line for every residence district, running from 15 feet in…
Read full rule →Structure Height Limits
Maximum building heights allowed by zoning, including how height is measured and exceptions for chimneys, antennas, and rooftop equipment.
Kent County
Some RestrictionsOutside Kent County's Growth Zone Overlay, residential structures in the AC, AR, RS1, RS5, and RMH zoning districts are…
Read full rule →New Castle County
Some RestrictionsNew Castle County's Unified Development Code sets building height by zoning district in Table 40.04.110: most…
Read full rule →Sussex County
Some RestrictionsIn Sussex County's AR-1 and AR-2 Agricultural Residential Districts, the base zoning districts covering most of…
Read full rule →Wilmington
Some RestrictionsWilmington's building code caps protected wood-frame (Type 5A) one- and two-family homes, semi-detached dwellings, and…
Read full rule →Lot Coverage Limits
The maximum percentage of your lot that can be covered by buildings and impervious surfaces like driveways and patios.
New Castle County
Significant RestrictionsNew Castle County caps impervious surface at 20 percent of the base site area inside Water Resource Protection Areas…
Read full rule →Kent County
Some RestrictionsKent County Code § 101-4.D caps total lot coverage, meaning impervious surface such as buildings, driveways and patios…
Read full rule →Wilmington
Some RestrictionsWilmington caps building coverage at 60 percent of lot area in the W-1, W-2, and W-3 waterfront districts, and at 40 to…
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