Delaware Coastal Zone Act Program - DNREC
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The Coastal Zone Act regulates new and existing manufacturing, heavy industry, and bulk product transfer activities in Delaware’s coastal zone through a permitting system.
CZA Program
302-739-9283
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Delaware Coastal Zone Act
(7 Del.C. Chapter 70)
Regulations Governing Delaware’s Coastal Zone
(7 DE Admin Code 101)
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The issuance of a coastal zone permit does not satisfy other DNREC permitting requirements.
Proposed projects
must also comply with all applicable regulations and apply for other relevant permits under DNREC’s regulatory programs.
Where is Delaware’s Coastal Zone?
The coastal zone generally runs the length of the state along the Delaware River, the C&D Canal, the Delaware Bay, the Inland Bays, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Use the
interactive coastal zone map
to see what properties are located within the state coastal zone.
Note: The state coastal zone is different from the federally designated coastal zone related to
federal consistency
with state policies under the Coastal Zone Management Act throughout Delaware lands and waters.
What is the Purpose of the Coastal Zone Act?
The
Coastal Zone Act
, passed by the Delaware General Assembly
in 1971
, prohibited future heavy industrial development and created a permitting program for manufacturing activities within Delaware’s coastal zone.
The Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Act of 2017 created a conversion permit that allows additional or alternative heavy industry uses on
14 grandfathered sites
which were in operation when the Coastal Zone Act was passed in 1971.
Various heavy industry activities remain prohibited within the coastal zone
, such as oil refineries, paper mills, incinerators, steel manufacturing plants, and liquefied natural gas terminals.
What Types of Decisions are Made in Regulating the Coastal Zone?
DNREC must determine whether a
proposed activity
would be prohibited, if it would not require a coastal zone permit because it is not manufacturing or heavy industry, or if it would require a permit (and which type).
Manufacturing activities
require a standard permit.
Heavy industry and bulk product transfer activities
at the 14 grandfathered sites require a conversion permit.
If it is unclear whether a proposed activity would be prohibited or unregulated, or which type of permit is necessary, the applicant can
submit a request for status decision
to provide more details to DNREC to make that determination.
If a facility already has a coastal zone permit and wants to make operational changes at the site, the permittee can
submit a request for a major modification
DNREC offers the following basic timelines for permitting processes under the Coastal Zone Act:
Status Decisions
Standard and Conversion Permits
and
Major Modifications
What Criteria are Evaluated to Make a Coastal Zone Act Decision?
DNREC evaluates:
Environmental impacts
Economic effects
Aesthetic effects
Number and type of supporting facilities (and impacts of such facilities)
Neighboring land uses (including effects on adjacent residential areas)
Consistency with county and municipal comprehensive planning
For permitting decisions, DNREC also evaluates the sufficiency of an offset proposal to compensate for potential negative environmental impacts as a result of the activity.
How Can the Public Get Involved with Coastal Zone Act Decisions?
All Coastal Zone Act decisions have a public comment period, and all new permit decisions also have a mandatory public hearing. Application materials are available on this webpage for any activity that is currently under review.
Appeals
Appeals of a permit or other decision of the DNREC Secretary are handled by the
Coastal Zone Industrial Control Board
, which is an independent entity from DNREC. The appeal period is within 14 days of the public notice of the decision.
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Simply send a blank email to
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Recent Public Notices
Starwood Digital Ventures Status Decision
(2/4/2026)
Decisión Sobre el Estado de Starwood Digital Ventures
(2/4/2026)
Starwood Digital Ventures Request for Status Decision
(12/10/2025)
Solicitud de Decisión Sobre el Estado de Starwood Digital Ventures
(12/10/2025)
Decision Notice: North Fish USA, Inc. Request for Standard Coastal Zone Permit
(10/29/2025)
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Permitting Flow Diagrams
Status Decisions
Standard and Conversion Permits
Major Modifications
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