Business Licensing & Operations in Delaware (2026)
13 rules on the books across Delaware, 3 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Adult Entertainment
Zoning and licensing rules for adult entertainment establishments under LAMC §12.70, including distance buffers from schools, churches, and residential zones.
Kent County
Significant RestrictionsKent County zoning bars a new adult entertainment establishment within 1,500 feet of another one, 2,800 feet of a…
Read full rule →New Castle County
Significant RestrictionsNew Castle County bars adult uses within 500 feet of homes, 2,800 feet of schools or churches, and 1,500 feet of…
Read full rule →Wilmington
Significant RestrictionsWilmington confines adult entertainment establishments to the C-5 heavy commercial zone and requires 500 feet of…
Read full rule →Massage Establishments
Licensing requirements for massage businesses under LAMC §103.205 and CAMTC certification, including operator background checks and zoning conditions.
New Castle County
Significant RestrictionsNew Castle County has no massage-business license. Instead, the Unified Development Code defines 'massage parlors'…
Read full rule →Wilmington
Some RestrictionsWilmington requires bath, massage and tanning salons to hold an annual city business license under the nonprofessional…
Read full rule →Tobacco Retail License
The local license required to sell tobacco and vape products, the conduct rules attached to it, flavored-product bans, self-service and age limits, and the zoning that applies to smoke shops.
Delaware: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsDelaware regulates vapor product retailers under 30 Del.C. Chapter 53, requiring tobacco retailer licenses, tax…
Read full rule →Wilmington
Some RestrictionsWilmington requires every retailer selling tobacco products, tobacco paraphernalia, or electronic smoking devices to…
Read full rule →Secondhand Dealers
LAMC §21.12 + CA Bus & Prof Code requirements for secondhand dealers, including item-reporting to law enforcement and 30-day holding periods.
New Castle County
Significant RestrictionsAnyone buying secondhand gold, silver, or platinum for resale in New Castle County must get a license from the Clerk of…
Read full rule →Wilmington
Significant RestrictionsWilmington requires a city license before anyone buys, trades, or handles secondhand gold, silver, or platinum items…
Read full rule →Pawnbrokers
State and city pawnbroker licensing, item-holding periods, interest-rate caps, and the LAPD-monitored CalGang/CAPSS reporting system.
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Whether commercial auto repair is permitted on residential property under LAMC §12.17.3, exemptions for occasional personal repair, and complaint enforcement.
Kent County
Heavy RestrictionsKent County's zoning code flatly excludes automobile and accessory service or repair from the list of suitable home…
Read full rule →New Castle County
Significant RestrictionsNew Castle County treats small home-based auto repair shops as a 'cottage industry' use, capped at six non-family…
Read full rule →Towing Companies
Permits, fee caps, and notification requirements for tow companies operating in the city, including official police-rotation tow contracts.