A Day at the Beach
Some of our favorite beach rules include:
- Catch your breath – and a wave.
- Take time to construct your dreams – and sandcastles.
- Collect yourself – and seashells.
However, to safeguard all of our visitors and to help ensure your best beach visit ever, the City of Rehoboth Beach has implemented several additional rules and guidelines.
Beach & Boardwalk Rules
Please follow these general rules
- Smoke-free areas in Rehoboth Beach include the beach, dune crossings, the bandstand plaza, boardwalk and access ways, and city parks and playgrounds. Signed, designated smoking areas are available at some dune crossings.
- The smoking of marijuana is prohibited by state law in all public places.
- Tents and canopies are not permitted on Rehoboth Beach. Only baby tents, no larger than 3′ high x 3′ long x 4′ wide are allowed. This tent prohibition goes for tarps, cabanas, pavilions, sportsbrellas, and other similar devices as well.
- Umbrellas with a circular shade no greater than 8’ in diameter and a central pole no longer than 7’6” in height are permitted.
- Anchor umbrellas and baby tents to prevent uncontrolled movement.
- The drinking of and open containers of alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the beach, boardwalk, or public streets.
- Fires, grills, and cooking or heating devices that use fire are prohibited.
- Leashed dogs are allowed on the beach and boardwalk only from October 1-April 30. From May 1-September 30, dogs are not allowed on the beach or boardwalk.
- Kites are not permitted on the beach while lifeguards are on duty.
- Remove your umbrella and personal items and 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.
- No one is permitted on the beach from 1-5 am.
- Sleeping is not permitted in cars on city streets, on or under the boardwalk, or on benches.
Boardwalk
- No motorized vehicles are permitted on the boardwalk or beach. The only exception is for personal motorized wheelchairs or scooters for disabled individuals.
- Leashed dogs are allowed on the beach and boardwalk only from October 1-April 30. From May 1-September 30, dogs are not allowed on the beach or boardwalk.
- Drinking alcoholic beverages and open containers are not permitted on the boardwalk.
- Bicycles are permitted on the boardwalk only from 5-10 am May 15-September 15. There is no time restriction during other times of the year.
- Skateboards are prohibited on the boardwalk and bandstand plaza. In addition, skateboards are prohibited from all streets and sidewalks from May 15-September 15.
- Rollerblades and other roller skates are prohibited on the boardwalk and bandstand plaza from May 15-September 15.
Furry friends
- Leashed dogs are allowed on the beach and boardwalk only from October 1-April 30. From May 1-September 30, dogs are not allowed on the beach or boardwalk.
- Emotional support animals are not permitted on the beach and boardwalk from May 1-September 30.
- The City of Rehoboth Beach requires leashes and has a pooper scooper law that requires owners to pick up after their dogs.
Vehicles (motorized and other)
- No motorized vehicles are permitted on the boardwalk or beach, including electric bikes and motorized scooters. The only exception is for personal motorized wheelchairs or scooters for disabled individuals.
- Bicycles are permitted on the boardwalk only from 5-10 am May 15-September 15. There is no time restriction during other times of the year.
- No one is allowed to ride bikes or other wheeled vehicles on sidewalks in the pedestrian-congested downtown area; this includes Rehoboth Avenue and 1st Street from Virginia Avenue to Brooklyn Avenue.
- Adults may not bicycle on sidewalks at any time. Walk your wheels on sidewalks.
- Children riding on sidewalks must be 12 or younger.
- Bikers generally must follow the same traffic rules and regulations as vehicles. However, bikers need NOT come to a complete stop at stop signs, but, for your safety, slow down and ensure that the roadway is clear before proceeding. Bikers must stop at red lights.
- Helmets are required for bikers who are under 18 and strongly encouraged for everyone.
- Skateboards are prohibited on the boardwalk and bandstand plaza. In addition, skateboards are prohibited from streets and sidewalks from May 15-September 15.
- Rollerblades and other roller skates are prohibited on the boardwalk and bandstand plaza from May 15-September 15.
