Wilmington, Delaware

Short-Term Rental Regulations — New Castle County

Allowed (Permit Required)

STR Status

Permit: RequiredTax: 3%Min Stay: 1Owner Occupancy RequiredBusiness License Required
✓ Verified against the official ordinance.View source· Last verified 6/19/2026
1Min. Night Stay
3%Tax Rate

Permit & Licensing

Permit RequiredYes
Renewalannual
Permit Cap1 permits
Business License RequiredYes
WaitlistNot specified

Owner Requirements

Owner Occupancy RequiredYes
Primary Residence RequiredNot specified
Insurance RequiredYes

Limits & Restrictions

Minimum Night Stay1
Density / Distance Cap1 permit per owner; 1 permit per dwelling unit
Parking RequiredNot specified

Taxes & Fees

Transient Occupancy Tax / TOT3%

Zoning Restrictions

  • yes

Official Sources

wilmingtoncitycouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/0412-An-Ordinance-to-Amend-Chapter-34-of-the-City-Code-to-Provide-for-Short-Term-Rental-Regulations-bf-2.pdf
Data confidence: 93%Last updated: June 8, 2026

Short-term rental rules in Wilmington, Delaware

Short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo) in Wilmington, Delaware are allowed with a permit. Operators must obtain a permit. The property must be owner-occupied. A lodging/occupancy tax of 3% applies.

Frequently asked questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in Wilmington, Delaware?

Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are allowed with a permit in Wilmington, Delaware. The property must be owner-occupied.

Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Wilmington?

A short-term rental permit is required, a business license is also required.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Wilmington?

Short-term rentals in Wilmington are subject to a lodging/occupancy tax of 3%.

Are there stay limits for short-term rentals in Wilmington?

Yes — Wilmington sets a minimum stay of 1 night.

Where do these Wilmington short-term rental rules come from?

These details are verified against Wilmington's official short-term rental ordinance and updated when the rules change.

Always verify before you buy. Short-term-rental rules change often and may not be fully current here. Confirm directly with Wilmington, New Castle County, or Delaware authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.