Question 1

Is Laurel a town, a city or a census-designated place?

Accepted Answer

Laurel is an incorporated municipality, not a census-designated place. The U.S. Census Bureau lists it as Laurel town, Delaware, and Sussex County lists it among its cities and towns.

Question 2

What was the population of Laurel in the 2020 Census?

Accepted Answer

The 2020 Census counted 3,865 residents in Laurel (U.S. Census Bureau).

Question 3

Who issues building permits in Laurel?

Accepted Answer

Sussex County issues building permits countywide, including inside municipalities, per the county building permits page. Check with the town as well for any town requirements.

Question 4

When was Laurel founded and incorporated?

Accepted Answer

The town says Laurel was founded in 1683 and incorporated April 13, 1883. The Delaware Public Archives adds that Barkley Townsend divided the old Broad Creek Wading Place into 32 lots in 1789.

Question 5

How did Laurel get its name?

Accepted Answer

By about 1799 the village had taken the name Laurel from the laurel bushes that grew along the banks of Broad Creek.

Question 6

What was the Great Fire of 1899 in Laurel?

Accepted Answer

In summer 1899 a knocked-over kerosene lamp started a fire that destroyed the entire north side of Market Street, since the town had no firefighting equipment. The Laurel Volunteer Fire Department was organized October 25, 1899.

Question 7

Which Delaware governors came from Laurel?

Accepted Answer

The town's history page names Nathaniel Mitchell (1805-1808), John Collins (1821-1825), William Barkley Cooper, William Ross, and Elbert N. Carvel. The town homepage says six governors have called Laurel home.

Question 8

When did Laurel merge with North Laurel?

Accepted Answer

North Laurel, which included the village of Brooklyn, incorporated in 1915. It was absorbed into Laurel as its fourth ward in 1929 after a referendum.

Question 9

Does Laurel hold Halloween events?

Accepted Answer

Laurel's town site announced a Community Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 24, 2026, with Bryan's Bowling Center.

Question 10

When does Laurel Mayor and Council meet?

Accepted Answer

The Mayor & Council Meetings page lists specific dates at 7:00 p.m. and does not state a standing weekday. Check that page for the current list.

Question 11

Who handles planning and zoning in Laurel?

Accepted Answer

The Planning & Code Enforcement department handles it, with a Planning Commission and a Board of Adjustment for variances. Posted Planning Commission agendas fall on the second Wednesday of the month.

Question 12

Does Laurel have its own zoning code?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The town site has a Code Book page and a Zoning & Subdivision page. Building permits are required for most construction and the town enforces "all 2009 International Codes."

Question 13

Who collects trash in Laurel?

Accepted Answer

The town FAQ says pickup is Tuesdays east of Central Avenue and Fridays on the west side. It permits household waste only on the weekly route.

Question 14

Does Laurel charge property tax or transfer tax?

Accepted Answer

The town FAQ gives the tax year as "October 1st to September 30th" and does not state a rate. Sussex County's first-time homebuyer page lists a Laurel transfer tax of ".75% (seller's portion)" effective 7/1/2021.

Question 15

What planning event did Laurel host in October 2026?

Accepted Answer

Laurel held a workshop on planning housing in town on October 13, 2026, per the town homepage.

Question 16

Is Laurel in a flood zone?

Accepted Answer

Part of Laurel may sit in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, and the answer depends on the address, so we do not give a town-wide yes or no. The USGS elevation at the town's Census center point is about 33 feet. Look up a specific property in the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and the DNREC Delaware Flood Planning Tool.

Question 17

Is Laurel in a hurricane evacuation zone?

Accepted Answer

Delaware labels hurricane evacuation zones A, B, C and D, and describes them as low-lying areas susceptible to flooding and storm surge. The state page does not list communities by zone, so we cannot say which zone Laurel or a given address falls in. Use the Know Your Zone lookup tool or interactive map to check an address.

Question 18

What body of water is Laurel on?

Accepted Answer

Laurel is laid out along Broad Creek, according to the Delaware Public Archives town history, which places the village of Brooklyn and North Laurel on the creek's north side.

Question 19

How big is Laurel and how high above sea level is it?

Accepted Answer

The 2020 Census Gazetteer lists Laurel at 2.766 square miles of land and 0.091 square miles of water. Elevation at the Census center point is about 33 feet above sea level (USGS 3DEP), and ground height varies across town.

Question 20

Which National Weather Service forecast zone covers Laurel?

Accepted Answer

The National Weather Service (Mount Holly office) places Laurel in forecast zone DEZ003, Inland Sussex, Delaware. This was read from the NWS point forecast page for the town's Census center point.

Question 21

Is there public transit in Laurel?

Accepted Answer

A 2018 state release lists DART First State Route 212 serving Laurel and Delmar, along with Seaford, Bridgeville and Blades. Riders connect to other routes at the Georgetown hub.

Question 22

What parks or outdoor areas are in or near Laurel?

Accepted Answer

Trap Pond State Park is near Laurel. Delaware State Parks says it has the northernmost naturally occurring stand of baldcypress in the U.S., a nature center, canoe, kayak and pedalboat rentals, and a campground with over 142 sites.

Application type	Items
Minor subdivision	15
Variance	fewer than 5
Site plan	fewer than 5
Special use exception	fewer than 5
Change of zone	fewer than 5
Conditional use	fewer than 5
Variance / special use exception	fewer than 5
Total	25

Laurel civic guide

October 19, 2026

Mayor & Council Meeting

Newest posted minutes

none posted

Quoted from minutes

Questions about this town

Town basics