Sussex County Council considers lodging tax

GEORGETOWN, Del. – The Sussex County Council is considering a lodging tax that could impact hotels, motels and tourist homes outside of town and city limits.

On Tuesday, legislation for a new lodging tax was presented to the Sussex County Council.

According to the county administrator, Todd Lawson, this new rule does not include short-term rentals like Airbnb.

Money collected from the lodging tax would go towards things like beach replenishment, waterway dredging, economic development, tourisms programs, and others.

The county administrator says if this lodging tax passes venues might need some time to get used to the process.

“Since we’ve never done this before there is going to be a learning curve,” said the Sussex County Administrator, Todd F. Lawson.

“Those venues that are going to see are going to have to familiarize themselves with the process,” said Lawson.

The next step for lodging tax funding is a public hearing, which is slated for November.

If this new rule does go into effect the county will start collections in January of 2020.