Shed & Garage Permits in Sussex County
Sussex County, Delaware
Everything you need to know about getting a permit for a shed, garage, or other accessory structure in Sussex County.
Who This Covers
This is SUSSEX COUNTY, Delaware (the southern county, from Milford and Seaford down to the beaches). New Castle County and Kent County run their own separate offices.
Inside a town or city (Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Milton, Georgetown, Seaford, Millsboro and others) contact the town as well — additional local permits may be needed on top of the county permit.
When a Permit Is Needed
Sussex County requires a permit for EVERY shed — pre-built or site-built — at any size.
Detached garages, pole buildings, carports, playhouses, gazebos, pergolas and greenhouses all need a permit too.
Electrical and plumbing are NOT county permits (they are handled at the state level).
Setbacks (Planning & Zoning Reference Guide)
Accessory building UNDER 600 sq ft: may sit 5 ft from the side and rear property lines.
Accessory building 600 sq ft OR MORE: must meet the same setbacks as the house. This is the key line for garages — a 24x30 (720 sq ft) garage uses house setbacks, not 5 ft.
Small lots under 10,000 sq ft (not in a cluster/RPC subdivision) have their own reduced setback rules.
Corner lots, easements and subdivision open-space rules can push a building further in. HOA rules are separate and can be stricter.
Variances go to the Board of Adjustment through the Planning & Zoning office.
Site Disturbance
Disturbing 5,000 sq ft or more of ground needs a Residential Standard Plan (sediment & erosion control) from the Sussex Conservation District BEFORE the building permit. Online form or in person at 23818 Shortly Road, Georgetown. Approval usually 24-48 hours.
Flood Zones
Much of coastal Sussex is FEMA flood zone. Structures there can face elevation and flood-resistant construction rules, and DNREC permits near tidal water or wetlands. Check msc.fema.gov before ordering.
How to File
Walk-in service at the Building Permit office, County Administrative Offices, 2 The Circle, Georgetown DE, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (check in with security first).
Bring a site plan or sketch showing where the building goes and the distances to every property line, plus a description or brochure of the building. Larger buildings get a plan review — ask the permit office what drawings they want for the size you are placing.
Fees
Based on a standard construction value for the building (updated each January), plus a school surcharge on residential permits. Starting work before the permit is issued adds a late charge equal to the permit fee. Call (302) 855-7720 for the exact figure.
Contact
Building Permit Section: (302) 855-7720
Planning & Zoning (setbacks / zoning): (302) 855-7878
2 The Circle, PO Box 417, Georgetown, DE 19947
Honestly? It's usually simpler than it looks
Before you hand this off to anyone, we'd encourage you to just call or stop by the Sussex County township office. The folks there handle shed and garage permits all the time — they'll give you the forms and walk you through filling them out. For a standard shed, most townships only need three things from you:
A certificate of insurance. Just ask and we'll email you a copy. It's easier to get than most people expect — see what one looks like.
A drawing / spec sheet of your building. We'll email you a copy of this too.
That's typically the whole list for a standard shed. Give it a shot yourself first — a lot of folks are pleasantly surprised at how quick it is. And if you get stuck or would just rather not deal with it, we're glad to help (see below).
We Deliver to Sussex County
White Pine Structures handles delivery and setup throughout Sussex County. We can also help you navigate the permit process — many of our customers in Sussex County have gone through this before and we know what to expect.
Disclaimer
This information is provided as a helpful reference and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify requirements directly with Sussex County's code enforcement or zoning office before starting your project. White Pine Structures is not responsible for permit application outcomes. Information last verified: September 2026.