Rules & Regulations

The City of Lewes offers weekly curbside recycling to all residents that receive City trash collection. 

The City of Lewes provides curbside yard waste collection to all residents. The collection schedule can be found under City Services.

Bulk trash is collected the fourth Wednesday of each summer month (June through September) and the fourth Wednesday of every other month (November through May). There is a charge for bulk trash at $50 per pickup and must be scheduled by calling Lewes City Hall at 302-645-7777.

Items that cannot be collected are:

• Appliances Containing or Having Contained Freon
• Construction Materials
• Paints and Chemicals
• Tires
• Tree Stumps
• Yard Waste

Any construction, alterations, removal, or demolition in the City of Lewes requires a building permit from the City. Application may be made in the Building Official's Office located at:
City Hall
E 3rd Street
Lewes, DE 19958
Applications are reviewed prior to issuance to ensure compliance with the City's Code. Call City Hall at 302-645-7777 for any questions

Any person, firm, or corporation engaged for profit within the City limits shall pay an annual license fee to the City. The application may be obtained at the City Manager's Office at:
City Hall
E 3rd Street
Lewes, DE 19958
You can also call City Hall at 302-645-7777.

Every building or structure within the City shall be maintained in good repair. This includes every:

• Ceiling
• Door
• Floor
• Foundation
• Roof
• Wall
• Window

All land within the City of Lewes shall be kept clean and free of garbage and rubbish and shall be kept free of rodents and vermin which may constitute a health or safety hazard.

Vegetation of any kind shall be kept trimmed and shall not be permitted to become overgrown. Vegetation includes:

• Bushes
• Growth
• Hedges
• Lawns
• Shrubs
• Weeds

No grass or weeds shall be permitted to grow to a height in excess of ten inches. If grass and weeds are not kept cut, the City will have the lot cut and the property owner billed for the expense. Contact the City Code Enforcer if you have any questions 302-645-7777.

All property owners within the corporate boundaries of the City of Lewes are responsible for the condition of that portion of the sidewalk that fronts or abuts their property. Property owners are required to maintain in good repair the condition of the concrete or other types of materials used to construct the sidewalk.

Property owners are also responsible to keep trees, shrubs, grass, etc. from encroaching onto or over the sidewalk that fronts or abuts their property. Each property owner is responsible for the removal of snow, ice, dirt or other foreign substance from sidewalks and gutters to keep them clear for pedestrian traffic.

The placement or disposal of leaves, clippings, etc. in any public street or storm water management system is prohibited.

It is unlawful for the owner of any dog to permit it to run at large within the City limits.

It is unlawful not to have a bag or device for removal of any excrement that the animal shall drop

No dogs are allowed on any beach between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. any day between May 1st and September 30th.

The City of Lewes has an ordinance prohibiting abandoned vehicles which:

• Create fire hazards and other safety and health hazards to children as well as to adults
• Create, extend, and aggravate urban blight
• Impede traffic in the streets or interfere with the enjoyment of and reduce the value of private property
• Interfere with the comfort and well-being of the public
• Invite plundering

It is the policy of the City Council to prevent any unreasonable, loud, disturbing, and unnecessary noise.

Restrictions on noise, including amplification and construction noise are addressed in the City Code. 

Persons under the age of 12 may use roller skates, inline skates, skateboards, or similar devices on any sidewalk within the City of Lewes and must yield right-of-way to pedestrians.

There shall be no use of roller skates, inline skates, skateboards, or similar devices within any City Park, except Blockhouse Pond Park.

Persons shall conduct their activity as far to the right of the traffic lane as possible, in a single file and flowing with traffic. No “stunts” shall be performed upon any public sidewalk, parking lot or in the restricted public parks. No person shall attach himself or herself to any moving motor vehicle upon any street, parking lot or public right-of-way.

Safety Precautions

Between sunset and sunrise, any person using roller skates, inline skates, skateboards, or similar devices shall wear reflective markings or material of sufficient reflectivity to be visible from both sides from 600 feet when directly in front of lawful beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle.