Delaware · County intelligence
Sussex County vacation rental market
4 tracked short-term rental markets sit inside Sussex County. Across them, nightly rates model at $279 and occupancy at 54%, for roughly $54,900 of gross annual revenue on a three-bedroom home.
Markets in Sussex County
| # | Market | Modelled annual revenue | Nightly rate | Occupancy | Peak season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rehoboth Beach, DESussex County | $58,600 | $292 | 55% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 2 | Bethany Beach, DESussex County | $55,600 | $282 | 54% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 3 | Rehoboth area — Dewey Beach, DESussex County | $52,800 | $278 | 52% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 4 | Lewes, DESussex County | $52,600 | $262 | 55% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
Why the county matters
Short-term rental rules in Sussex County rarely sit in one place. A home inside an incorporated city usually answers to that city's ordinance, while a home in unincorporated Sussex County answers to the county — often with different licence, inspection and minimum-stay requirements. County-level tourist development tax normally applies either way, on top of state sales tax.
Before buying, confirm two things: which jurisdiction the parcel actually sits in, and whether that jurisdiction caps or zones short-term rentals.
Rule status by market
- LewesStatus unpublished
- Rehoboth BeachStatus unpublished
- Bethany BeachStatus unpublished
- Rehoboth area — Dewey BeachStatus unpublished
We have not yet verified an official Sussex County ordinance against a primary source, so no rule position is stated here. Always confirm with the county before committing.
Operating costs are modelled at 32% of gross revenue for a nightly rental (cleaning, supplies, utilities, platform fees, maintenance, insurance) and 14% for a monthly rental. Financing assumes a 25% down payment and a 30-year loan at 7%. These are planning assumptions, not quotes — replace them with your own numbers.
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