9 Del. C. § 7001 § 7001
Powers of the government of Sussex County
Operative Text
(a) General powers. — The government of Sussex County, as established by this chapter, shall assume and have all powers which, under the Constitution of the State, it would be competent for the General Assembly to grant by specific enumeration, and which are not denied by statute; including, but not limited to, any powers conferred prior to the effective date of this act by the General Assembly upon Sussex County, or upon the Levy Court of Sussex County, or upon the Levy Court Commissioners of Sussex County, or upon the officers or employees of Sussex County, or upon counties generally, or upon Levy Court Commissioners generally, or upon County Councils generally. This grant of power includes the power to fix the tax rate upon the assessed valuation of all real property in Sussex County subject to assessment by the County. This grant of power does not include the power to enact private or civil law concerning civil relationships, except as incident to the exercise of an expressly granted power, and does not include the power to define and provide for the punishment of felonies. (b) Construction. — The powers of Sussex County under this reorganization law shall be construed liberally in favor of the County, and specific mention of particular powers in the reorganization law shall not be construed as limiting in any way the general powers stated in subsection (a) of this section. (c) Intergovernmental relations. — The government of Sussex County may exercise any of its powers or perform any of its functions and may participate in the financing thereof, jointly or in cooperation, by contract or otherwise, with any 1 or more states or civil divisions or counties or agencies thereof, or the United States or any agency thereof. (d) Exercise of powers. — All powers of the government of Sussex County shall be carried into execution as provided by this title or by other law of this State or if this title or other law of this State makes no such provision, as provided by ordinance or resolution of the county government of Sussex County.
Section 9 Del. C. § 7001 establishes the broad scope of governmental authority held by Sussex County, Delaware. The county is granted all powers that the state legislature could constitutionally confer, unless those powers are specifically denied by statute, and this grant is explicitly meant to be read expansively rather than narrowly. Certain powers are carved out, however: the county cannot enact private or civil law governing civil relationships (except as incidental to an express power) and cannot define or punish felonies.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Sussex County should be aware that under 9 Del. C. § 7001, the county holds broad authority—including the explicit power to set tax rates on assessed real property values. Compliant operators generally stay informed about county ordinances and resolutions, since § 7001(d) provides that county powers are carried into execution through state law or, where state law is silent, through county ordinance or resolution. Monitoring Sussex County government actions is a practical part of managing property within the county's jurisdiction.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Sussex County benefit from understanding that 9 Del. C. § 7001 grants the county wide-ranging governmental powers, which form the legal foundation for local housing-related ordinances and regulations that may affect rental housing. Because § 7001(b) requires that these powers be construed liberally in favor of the county, local rules and tenant protections enacted under this authority carry significant legal weight. Tenants who believe a county ordinance or action affects their housing situation may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Sussex County's exercise of these powers.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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