Delaware Beach Real Estate Blog - General News and Updates from the Delaware Beaches

BOEM issues final federal permit for US Wind’s 2-GW Maryland offshore wind project

Credit to: Construction Dive, Emma Penrod

• The Department of the Interior on Tuesday approved the construction and operations plan, or COP, for the 2-GW Maryland Offshore Wind Project, clinching the final federal permit developer US Wind needs from the department to begin construction.

• The permit clears the way for the construction of more than a hundred wind turbines off the shore of Maryland and Delaware, and will help build the U.S. offshore wind supply chain, according to the Oceantic Network, a trade association that represents the offshore wind industry.

• The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management this week also issued a Record of Decision finalizing a list of environmental measures expected to…

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Sussex County Short-Term Rental Tax Information

Most Recent Update:

The proposed 3% tax on short-term rentals in unincorporated areas of Sussex County was defeated during the County Council public hearing and meeting on Tuesday, December 10th 2024.  This win reflects the collective effort of the Sussex County Association of Realtors and its members, who worked diligently to highlight the potential negative impacts of the ordinance on homeowners, renters, and the local economy.

A short-term rental tax has been proposed in Sussex County, Delaware. Please take a look at the information below if this might affect your beach property or to learn more.  

Sussex County has entered an ordinance that will add a 3% rental tax to any short-term rental that is in an unincorporated area.…

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Fenwick Island Bridge Replacement Project Delayed

Credit to: WBOC, Sean Curtis, AECOM

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has announced the delay of a bridge replacement on Route 54 (Lighthouse Road) in Fenwick Island.

According to DelDOT, a delay with the National Environmental Policy Act process due to tidal and navigation issues caused the project’s expected completion date to be pushed back. The bridge’s replacement was initially planned for Spring 2025, but is now expected to commence in early 2026.

DelDOT says the replacement will occur in two phases, the first commencing in October 2026 and lasting through May 2027. The second phase is slated for October 2027 through May 2028.

The replacement project was initiated due to the bridge’s poor condition,…

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Bethany Beach Holiday Happenings to extend over two weekends

Credit to: Coastal Point

Coastal Point

On Saturday, Dec. 7, the Town of Bethany Beach will kick off its annual Holiday Happenings and feature the favorite activities the community has come to know and love. The day will start at the Nature Center (807 Garfield Parkway) at 10:30 a.m., with a special Ginger Man siting.

There will be pony rides on the beach off Garfield Parkway from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and face painters in town hall from 1 to 3 p.m. These were so popular last year that they will require pre-registration this year. (Walk-ups will still be accepted as time allows.) Registration is being accepted online via the Town’s website at https://www.townofbethanybeach.com/.

Also, from 1 to 3 p.m., Santa will make his triumphant return to town…

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Sussex County 2025 Tax Assessment Update 11/27/2024

Credit to: Sussex County

Sussex County Delaware has completed a revaluation of all real property in anticipation of the 2025 Tax Roll and property owners have been receiving notices in the mail which contain their new property assessments. Your new tentative assessment is based on 100% of the current assessed value of your property, as of July 1, 2023.

THE NOTICE IS NOT A TAX BILL. The Tax Rate will change; therefore, DO NOT multiply your new tentative assessed value by the current tax rate. The new tax rate will be determined by the County, Municipality & School District for the 2025 tax bill.

The 2025 assessments have been developed using recent valid market sales and economic data. The previous assessment was NOT a factor in determining the…

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Early voting in progress across Delaware

Credit to: Coastal Point

Early voting at early voting sites in each county has commenced statewide.

Delaware registered voters may vote in person at any early voting site in their county of residence during the 10-day early voting period prior to the Nov. 5 General Election Day. Early voting for the General Election started Friday, Oct. 25, at 11 a.m.

Early voting sites in each county will be open for voting in the General Election during these dates and times:

• Friday, Oct. 25, through Tuesday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Wednesday, Oct. 30, through Sunday, Nov. 3, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Early voting sites are online at https://de.gov/votinglocations and in Sussex County include:

• American Legion Post 28 Millsboro, 31768 Legion…

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Wags, Witches & Warlocks 2024

Credit to: Coastal Point, Kerin Magill

Costumes, candy and yoga with puppies? Yes, please.

Wags, Witches & Warlocks is Bethany Beach’s Halloween event, but it means so much more for a local organization. The Bethany Beach Halloween event has been a successful fundraiser for the Brandywine SPCA for more than a decade, according to organizers. This year, Wags, Witches & Warlocks takes place on Saturday, Oct. 26, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. Since 2018, the event has been organized and sponsored by the Leslie Kopp Group, a Bethany Beach real estate business. Shannon McDowell, marketing and brand manager for the business, said this week that the office is full of animal lovers, so the decision on the Halloween event was an easy one. “We all…

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Brandywine Valley SPCA Lends a Helping Paw Amid Hurricane Milton

Credit to: WBOC, Tiffani Amber

As Hurricane Milton barrels through the South, the Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA) is getting ready to lend a helping paw to dogs and cats from the hurricane-affected areas. The organization is trying to make space in their already overcrowded shelters to welcome these furry evacuees, expecting many new furry friends in the coming days.

Once these dogs and cats reach safety, they will be distributed among the six BVSPCA locations across multiple states.

Timarah Hammeck, a staff member at the BVSPCA Dover Campus, stated that this is the least they can do to support animals during this critical time. "We are in the process of taking dogs out of Florida and surrounding states that are being impacted by the…

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Voter Registration deadline is October 12th

Credit to: Coastal Point, Laura Walter

The Delaware Deparement of Elections (DOE) this week informed eligible Delaware residents who are not yet registered to vote in Delaware and who wish to vote in the Nov. 5 General Election that they must register to vote on or before Saturday, Oct. 12, at 11:59 p.m. in order to vote in the General Election.

Individuals may register to vote in Delaware if they are a citizen of the United States and:

• Are a resident of Delaware (Delaware is their home); and

• Will be 18 years old on or before Nov. 5

Detailed voter registration information and eligibility requirements are available online at https://de.gov/voterfaq

Eligible individuals may register to vote:

• Online at https://ivote.de.gov

•…

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Calls for long-term solution after dunes breach closes Route 1

Credit to: Coastal Point, Mike Smith

Photo courtesy of Susan Lyons

With a second dunes breach in five months forcing the closure of Route 1, both northbound and southbound, overnight on Aug. 18, some local officials this week said, “Enough is enough,” referencing a common definition of insanity.

State Rep. Ronald E. Gray (R-38th), whose district line stops at the middle of the Indian River Inlet Bridge, called out DNREC officials for a lapse in shoring up the dunes last time, in March.

“DNREC has dropped the ball,” said Gray. “They thought they had done enough in March. We are trying to get DNREC to do this advanced dredging, and they need to be more proactive.”

“Our delegation is trying to get a meeting called with DNREC and DelDOT to get…

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