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City of Lewes General Questions

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1. What telephone numbers should I know?

Important Numbers

• Beebe Medical Center
  Phone: 302-645-3300
• Board of Public Works
  Phone: 302-645-6228 
• Chamber of Commerce
  Phone: 302-645-8073 
• City Hall
  Phone: 302-645-7777 
• City Manager
  Phone: 302-645-7777 
• Emergency
  Phone: 911 
• Lewes Public Library
  Phone: 302-645-2733 
• Police Department (non-emergency)
  Phone: 302-645-6264

2. When is trash / recycling / yard waste collected? What items are not collected?

Garbage Collection

Household Garbage is offered to City of Lewes residents as follows: 

• Summer Collection - Twice a week garbage collection begins the last week of June through Labor Day. 
• Winter Collection - Garbage is collected once a week September through June. 

Recycling Collection

Recycling is picked up by the City of Lewes weekly.  

Bulk Trash Collection

Bulk Trash Collection is available on the fourth Wednesday of each summer month (June through September) and the fourth Wednesday of every other month (November through May) at a charge of $50.00 per pick up. Pick-up can be scheduled by calling the City Manager's Office.

Items not collected include:

• Appliances Containing or Having Contained Freon
• Construction Materials
• Paints / Chemicals
• Tires
• Tree Stumps

Other Waste

• Leaf Collection - Leaf collection is free to City of Lewes Residents. A pick-up can be scheduled during November and December.
• Yard Waste - The City of Lewes has contracted for yard waste. Please go to "Services" at the top of the main page for schedule details.

Trash and Recycle Cart Fee Change Effective Immediately 

The City is changing the price of the 64-gallon trash cart from $48 to $70 per cart effective immediately. The 96-gallon trash and recycling cart originally priced at $70 has been increased to $80. In our efforts to replenish our trash and recycle cart inventories, city expenses relating to the purchase price and shipping costs have increased significantly therefore necessitating these fee changes. In the past the City of Lewes received a grant from the State of Delaware for recycle carts and passed on this savings to our property owners by offering free recycle carts. This grant funding is no longer available to the city. Sometimes the Maintenance Department staff can fix minor repairs to carts such as a damaged lid, malfunctioning wheel, or broken handle. When your trash or recycle carts are damaged beyond these repairs new carts must be purchased by the property owner. If you have questions or if you need a new cart, please contact City Hall at 302-645-7777. 

More Information

For additional information on all City Services, please go to the 'Services' tab at the top of the main page.

3. What are the Operating Hours for City Hall?

8 a.m. to 4 p.m, year round, Monday through Friday, except Holidays.

4. What must I do if I want to rent out my residential property?

A business license is required to rent property in Lewes. The license year is January 1st through December 31st with a fee of $200 per rental unit. Applications may be obtained at the Lewes City Hall or on the city's website under the Forms and Applications page. Call 302-645-7777 for additional information. Property owners who rent out are also required to pay a gross rental receipt tax. See "When are my taxes due?". More information can be found in the Rentals tab.

5. When are my taxes due?

Property Taxes

The current property tax rate is 57 cents per $100.00 of half the assessed value, which is 50% of the assessed value. 

Taxes are billed annually on April 1. Tax bills are due upon receipt and become delinquent after June 30. A penalty of 1.5% is charged monthly on delinquent balances. Any property improvements done throughout the year may be billed on a Quarterly Supplemental Tax Billing. 

Gross Rental Receipt Taxes (GRRT)

As of April 1, 2009, GRRT will be 5% tax of the rent for occupancy of all private and public lodging facility and housing accommodations, other than those subject to the State of Delaware Lodging Tax. The tax on rent is for the period January 1 through December 31 of each year. Taxes are payable on or before February 1 of each year. A penalty of 1.5% is charged monthly until the tax is paid in full.

6. When do I need a building permit?

Any construction, alternations, removal, hardscaping, or demolition in the City of Lewes requires a building permit from the City.  This includes pretty much everything except painting.  Please call 302-645-7777 if you have questions regarding permitting requirements.

7. How do I apply for a building permit?

Applications for new construction or renovations, alterations, or demolitions may be obtained at Lewes City Hall, 114 E. Third Street, or from our website. Applications are reviewed to ensure compliance with the City’s Code. If your property is located within the Historic District, you may need to make an application to the Historic Preservation Architectural Review Commission. Please contact John Robitaille at (302) 645-7777 x120 should you have any questions.

8. When do I need a business license? What are the fees?

Any person, firm or corporation engaged for profit within the City limits shall pay an annual (January 1 through December 31) license fee to the City. Application may be obtained under the Forms and Applications page, or in person at:
Lewes City Hall
114 E 3rd Street
Lewes, DE 19958

Fees

Residential property rentals $200 per year, per unit. 

Licenses for contractors vary according to the number of employees in the company: 

• 1 to 5 employees - $150 
• 6 or more employees - $360

9. Where can I park in Lewes? What are the rules for parking in the City?

Parking is permitted on public streets unless otherwise posted as "No Parking". 

Municipal parking lots are also available at the following locations: 

• 1812 Park Parking Lot 
• Beach Parking Lot (end of Savannah Road) 
• Canalfront Park Parking Lot 
• Otis Smith Park
• Parking Lot Number 1 (along Cape Henlopen Drive) 
• Parking Lot Number 2 (along Cape Henlopen Drive) 
• Schley Avenue 
• West 3rd Street

 

10. Where are parking meters, what are their hourly rates, and when do they start and stop?

Locations

Metered parking locations are:

• 1812 Park
• 2nd Street
• 3rd Street Lot
• Bank Street
• Savannah Beach (at the end of Savannah Road with an additional entrance/exit at Virginia Avenue)
• Johnnie Walker Beach (Georgia Avenue)
• Canalfront Park
• Front Street
• Market Street

Hourly Rates

The meter fee at Savannah Beach and Johnnie Walker Beach is $2.50 per hour while all other locations are $1.50 per hour. Everyone must pay, including vehicles with handicapped plates and placards. Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and Discover) are accepted at 

• 1812 Park
• 3rd Street Lot
• Savannah Beach
• Johnnie Walker Beach
• Canalfront Park

Another way of paying the meter is through a Parkmobile account or Parkmobile app which is downloadable on any smartphone. There is a 2-hour minimum charge when a credit card or Parkmobile account is used. Coin change machines are available at Savannah Beach, Johnnie Walker Beach, and Mary Vessels Park.

Hours of Operation

Meters are in effect from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day beginning May 1st through October 14th, except the meters at Savannah Beach1 and Johnnie Walker Beach which are in operation from May 1st through September 30th. 

11. Where is there free parking?

Free parking is available at the corner of Schley and Franklin Avenue, in addition to Otis Smith Park on Savannah Road.

12. What dates and times are the lifeguards on duty?

Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year, 7 days a week, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

13. What are the rules regarding dogs in Lewes?

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.

14. What are the rules regarding use of the beach?

Beach Rules

• Alcohol - None allowed 
• Curfew - It is unlawful for any person to be on Lewes Beach from Roosevelt Inlet to the Cape May / Lewes Ferry Terminal between the hours of midnight until 6:00 a.m. 
• Dogs - No dogs are allowed on any beach between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. any day between May 1st and September 30th 
• Fires - No open burning; fires are allowed with a permit and must be contained & removed 
• Fishing - No fishing is allowed on Lewes Beach from the eastern boundary of Pilot Point to the westerly most boundary lines of the Lewes Yacht Club for a distance offshore of 300 feet from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. 
• Permits - Required for beach activities 
• Personal Water Craft - It is unlawful for any person to operate a motorized personal water craft within a distance of 300 feet of any beach strand within the City of Lewes.

15. What are the rules and fees for renting space at the city's docks?

The City of Lewes operates two docking facilities; the Canalfront Park Marina and the Otis Smith City Dock, both located along Front Street on the southern bank of the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal. Additional information about the Canalfront Park Marina and the City Dock may be obtained by calling the Dockmaster at 302-644-1869 or by reviewing the City's Operations and Maintenance Plan.

Slips

The Canalfront Park Marina is open between April 1 and November 30 and has 19 boat slips to accommodate seasonal and transient boaters. Thirteen of the slips are reserved for seasonal use by Lewes residents. Seven of the slips (three large and three small) are available for transient boaters. The large slips can accommodate a boat up to 55 feet in length and 16 feet beam. The small slips can hold a boat up to 25 feet in length and 12 feet beam. The existing water depth within the marina basin is generally 6 feet (plus or minus) mean low water based on 2009 dredging.

Fees

Effective April 1, 2017, the fee for seasonal leaseholders for large slips is $3,900 per slip and for small slips is $3,000.

Docks

The City Dock is a 200 foot long dock on Front Street, near the Canalfront Park Marina. It has an existing water depth of 10 feet (plus or minus) mean low water. The City Dock is sectioned into four 50 foot long boat slips that can accommodate small and larger vessels. Boat slips may be reserved in advance for seven consecutive days, longer depending on availability.

Fees

Effective April 2, 2012, the rental fees for transient boat slips at the Canalfront Park Marina and the City Dock are based on the following schedule: 

• For the first 3 hours:
  • Up to 25 feet - $15.00 per hour 
  • 25 to 35 feet - $20 per hour 
  • Over 35 feet- $35.00 per hour 
• After the first 3 hours there is a fee of $2.00 per running foot per 24 hours. 

Between October 1 and November 30, transient slips that are not reserved are available for monthly reservations at $475 per month.

16. What are the rules regarding bikes, skateboards, and inline skates?

Persons under twelve years of age may use or employ roller skates, inline skates, skateboards or similar devices on any sidewalk within the City of Lewes. No person twelve years of age or older shall use roller skates, inline skates, skateboards or similar devices on any sidewalk within the City of Lewes, except the sidewalk on the east side of the Savannah Road drawbridge.

On any sidewalk where persons are using or employing roller skates, inline skates, skateboards or similar devices, such persons shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.

No person shall use roller skates, inline skates, skateboards or similar devices within the areas of any City Parks, except Blockhouse Pond Park.

17. What airports are closest to Lewes?

Commercial Airports

Commercial airports within two hours driving distance of Lewes include:

• Salisbury Regional (SBY) Airport - Salisbury, MD - 45 miles away
• New Castle (ILG) Airport - New Castle, DE - 75 miles away
• Philadelphia International (PHL) Airport - 110 miles away
• Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) Airport - Anne Arundel County, MD- 110 miles away

Private Airports

• Delaware Coastal (GED) Airport - Georgetown, DE - 15 miles away