Land Use Reform Working Group 2026 Updates

Six New Ordinances considered by County Council beginning April 1, 2026 and continuing May 12, 2026. Public encouraged to attend and comment!

The Land Use Reform Working Group issued 20 recommendations to Sussex County Council for improving land use decisions and planning.

In 2026, County Council is considering six ordinances to begin implementation of the recommendations. These six ordinances cover:

Sussex County Rental Program (SCRP): Adjusts criteria to make projects more feasible for developers by increasing the rent to 60% of the area median income (up from 50%) and decreasing the required number of program units to 15% (down from 25%).
Open Space Requirements: Eases specific requirements to allow more flexible design in developments.
Subdivision Regulations (Plat Requirements): Modifies preliminary plat requirements, specifically targeting inter-connectivity and enforcing "superior design" standards.
Subdivisions in Rural/Growth Areas: Restricts development by barring cluster subdivisions with 7,500-square-foot lots on central sewers in rural areas, aimed at protecting farmland and reducing pressure on infrastructure.
Forest Preservation: Implements new regulations aimed at preserving forested areas during development.
New Code Definitions: Updates the county code with new definitions to support the above changes.

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