Comprehensive Plan Information
Municipal Comprehensive Plans
22 Delaware Code §702 requires Delaware municipal governments to develop and regularly update land use plans. Smaller cities and towns (those with a population under 2,000) are required to develop a municipal development strategy. Larger cities and towns are required to develop more detailed Comprehensive Land Use Plans.
OSPC's circuit-rider planners are available to help municipal governments through the planning process as is the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration. There are also private-sector planning and consulting firms available to help develop Comprehensive Plans.
The Office has prepared the Comprehensive Plan Checklist and Municipal Comprehensive Plan Guide to help municipal governments meet the requirements of state laws regarding planning. These documents have recently been revised. The checklist is now a single page and focusses on code requirements. The guide has been expanded to include even more guidance about planning strategies as well as information about other state programs and resources that can assist local governments as they craft plans that address the needs of their communities.
County Comprehensive Plans
9 Delaware Code requires County governments to develop and regularly update land use plans. References to the State law governing each county comprehensive plans are as follows:
- New Castle County 9 Del. Code Chapter 26
- Kent County 9 Del. Code Chapter 49
- Sussex County 9 Del.Code Chapter 69
The Office of State Planning Coordination prepared the following County Comprehensive Plan Checklists to help each county government to meet the requirements of state laws regarding planning.
- New Castle County Comprehensive Plan Check List per Title 9
- Kent County Comprehensive Plan Check List per Title 9
- Sussex County Comprehensive Plan Check List per Title 9
Delaware Comprehensive Plans
All local governments in Delaware (both county and municipal) are required to prepare and adopt comprehensive plans. These plans are reviewed by State Agencies through the Preliminary Land Use Service (PLUS) and certified by the Governor.
This database contains links to the final certified comprehensive plans from Delaware’s 57 municipalities and three counties. Also included are links to plan amendments and supporting documents related to each plan.
While these documents are final versions, on file with the Office of State Planning Coordination, it is always advisable to contact each municipality directly to obtain the official version of the local government’s comprehensive plan.
