DOGGIE RULES

Many of you from out of the area have asked us what the rules are for doggies on the beach. Here they are:

“Every dog has its day. Everybody knows that even with this restriction in place we see dogs on the Boardwalk in April, September and October.” This is a quote from a recent commissioners meeting in Rehoboth. It has recently been suggested that RB lengthen the time that dogs are allowed on the boardwalk in RB.

It was said that the dog ordinance often is not enforced in April because the police department is low on manpower – seasonal officers are not yet hired – and in October the city has special events, such as Greyhounds Reach the Beach and Seawitch Festival, when rules are relaxed. They said allowing dogs for the greyhound event causes confusion, because people assume the dog restrictions have ended, even though the restriction is in place for another two weeks.

It was also brought up that dog regulations are not consistent with other seasonal restrictions, such as bicycles on the Boardwalk.

At this time the following rules are in effect for Delaware Beaches:

Pets on the Beach in Delaware State Parks
Pets are allowed in Delaware seashore parks, but Delaware State Law prohibits them from all swimming and sunbathing beaches from May 1 to September 30. Park rules and regulations also restrict pets from areas such as surfboarding & sailboarding beaches and shorebird nesting areas. Pets must be leashed at all times in Delware seashore parks.

Bethany Beach
Dogs on a leash are allowed on the beach only during the off-season, from Oct. 1 to May 14.

Delaware Seashore State Parks
Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes
Delaware Seashore State Park, Rehoboth Beach
Dogs on a leash no longer than 6 feet are allowed in Delaware State Parks, but from May 1 to September 30 are not permitted on lifeguard swimming and sunbathing beaches, surfboarding and sailboarding beaches and in shorebird nesting areas.

Dewey Beach
Dogs are allowed on the beach year round, but during the summer season (May 15-September 15) are only permitted on the beach before 9:30 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m.

Fenwick Island Beach
Dogs on a leash are allowed on the beach only during the off-season, from Oct. 1 through April 30.

Lewes
During the summer dogs on a leash are allowed on the beaches only before 8 a.m. and after 6:30 p.m. any day between May 1st and September 30th. Dogs on a leash are allowed on the beach any time from Oct. 1st through April 30th.

Rehoboth Beach
Dogs on a leash are allowed on the beach and boardwalk only during the off-season, from Nov. 1 to March 31.

South Bethany
Dogs on a leash are allowed on the beach only during the off-season, from Oct. 16 through May 14.