Sussex County updates the county’s ‘special events’ requirements

SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. – A special events ordinance in Sussex County that’s been in place for 20+ years is finally getting an upgrade.

After a year of working and reviewing it, the county council has adopted their latest measure on the ordinance. While the county council wants you to have fun, they also need to put some rules in place. County Administrator Todd Lawson tells 47 ABC, “Really the focus in this recent update is to make sure, who will be applying for special events and approval process and who will not and that was something we heard clear from the public. Organizations like the VFW, American Legion, fire companies, they had a lot of questions about the county’s intent related to this ordinance. We had no intent have those organizations governed by this new ordinance.”

Members of the public suggested that some things in the ordinance’s language were a bit confusing. But now this will provide some clarity.

Christian Hudson, from Hudson Fields has been through the ringer for this ordinance and even though he’s in the clear now by being grandfathered in, he’s still worried for others.

“The one good thing they did take out all the venues like churches, fire halls, and VFW’s, so that is helpful but they still have provisions that I think will have a chilling affect on non-profit fundraising community,” Hudson tells us. Lawson says he doesn’t think many events will be impacted and added that the revamp was needed due to an influx of activity and events.

Despite the changes, one thing will stay the same, the amount of time you’re given: three special events permitted on a property each calendar year.

With the council’s adoption, the ordinance takes effect immediately. We’re told it will apply to areas of unincorporated Sussex county only, which are areas outside of municipalities.