Georgetown, Del., June 9, 2026: Sussex County officials are implementing what they describe as incremental changes designed to create significant progress for southern Delaware’s development future.
During their regular Tuesday meeting on June 9, 2026, County Council approved the initial set of ordinances in a comprehensive effort to manage residential development’s speed and scale throughout the county.
The two approved measures include enhancements to the Sussex County Rental Program designed to encourage greater developer involvement, along with technical modifications to County regulations. These ordinances stem from 20 suggestions put forward by the County’s Land Use Reform Working Group, a Council-selected committee featuring various stakeholders who convened in 2025 to develop potential solutions. Their proposals encompassed directing development toward specific zones through regulatory changes, expanding housing options and affordability, enhancing protections for rural and ecologically important regions, and improving planning clarity and consistency.
During the spring months, Council initiated the transformation of some simpler suggestions into implementable strategies. County staff prepared the initial ordinances for Council review, emphasizing priorities including affordable housing options, development design requirements, and population density regulations. These efforts coincide with the County’s State-required comprehensive plan revision, which serves as a development blueprint for the coming three decades and must receive approval by 2028.
“The County has heard the public’s concerns, especially when it comes to affordable housing, loud and clear,” Council President Douglas B. Hudson said. “Hopefully, these are just the first of many changes, big and small, that will lead to tangible results and a better Sussex County.”
