Beach Safety and Rules

Ranked as one of the nation’s best, the Rehoboth Beach Patrol operates seasonally from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through three weeks following Labor Day.

Rehoboth Beach Patrol headquarters is located at Baltimore Avenue at the boardwalk. Call:
302-227-2280   May-September
302-227-6181   October-April

Beach & Boardwalk Safety 

The Rehoboth Beach Police Department’s goal is to make your visit a safe one. Select City of Rehoboth Beach ordinances are listed below for your information and convenience. For your safety as well as that of others, these regulations must be followed. 

The Rehoboth Beach Police Department is located at 229 Rehoboth Avenue. If you have an emergency, always dial 911. The non-emergency police number is 302-227-2577.

Enjoy your visit to Rehoboth Beach!

No tents and other rules, guidelines, and helpful info

We understand that tents are convenient, but they got to be so plentiful at peak times that they blocked access and visibility to the water's edge, affecting public safety and everyone's enjoyment of our beautiful beach. For this reason, tents, tarps, cabanas, pavilions, canopies, sportsbrellas, and similar devices are prohibited, except that baby tents up to 36" high x 36" wide x 36" deep, used to shade infants and small children, are permitted. 

Other beach rules and guidelines that we ask everyone to follow include:

  • Umbrellas with a circular shade no greater than 8' in diameter and a central pole no longer than 7'6" in height are permitted.

  • Umbrellas and baby tents must be anchored to prevent uncontrolled movement.

  • Please remove your umbrella, baby tent, personal items, and personal equipment from the beach by 10 pm daily. Items left unattended between 10 pm and 7 am will be removed from the beach and discarded.

  • Beach weddings and special events may use tents with a city permit.

  • Grills or any cooking and heating devices that use fire are prohibited.

  • The city has designated several smoke-free areas, including parks and playgrounds, the bandstand plaza, boardwalk and accessways, dune crossings, and the beach except in designated smoking areas.

  • We consider it a health and safety measure to close the beach during late hours. People, including those who are sleeping, are not allowed on the beach from 1-5 am.

  • Parking in the City of Rehoboth Beach is by permit or meter payments only from May 15-September 15. Parking permits are enforced from 10am-5 pm, and meters are in effect from 10 am-10 pm. The meter rate is $3/hour citywide; payment may be made via credit card, cash, or the Parkmobile app. Change machines are available in various locations throughout the city. The time limit for meters is 12 hours except in 30-minute locations. All 30-minute parking spaces are time limited the entire year.

  • No sleeping in cars on any street within the city, on or under the boardwalk, or on benches.

  • Delaware law requires that individuals be at least 21 to enter a bar.

  • No drinking or open containers of alcoholic beverages on the beach, boardwalk, or public streets within the city limits.

  • It is illegal for dogs to run at large at any time. The city has both a leash and pooper scooper law, which are enforced. Dogs are prohibited from the beach and boardwalk May 1-September 30.

  • Bikes are allowed on the boardwalk only from 5-10 am May 15-September 15. Adult bikers are not permitted on sidewalks at any time. Children riding on the sidewalk must be 12 or younger.

  • Beach wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis from 10 am-5 pm during the beach season (the Saturday before Memorial Day through the second Sunday after Labor Day). Please call 302-227-2280 or visit the Rehoboth Beach Patrol storage sheds located on the beach at Maryland Avenue and Laurel Street for assistance in accommodating your needs. Beach wheelchairs must remain within two blocks of the pick-up location and may not be used on the boardwalk.  You will need to provide your name and cell phone number when checking out a beach wheelchair. 

  • No vehicles on the boardwalk or beach.

  • Skateboards are prohibited on the boardwalk and bandstand year round and on sidewalks and streets at all hours May 15-September 15.

  • Roller blades and roller skates are prohibited on the boardwalk, bandstand, and Rehoboth Avenue May 15-September 15.

Stay Informed!