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Alderman Court

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1. What do I do if I receive a traffic ticket?

There are written instructions on your ticket that you should read carefully. It is important to determine what sort of ticket you have received and who it is payable to.

If your traffic ticket is payable to the Voluntary Assessment Center (VAC), make your check out to the Voluntary Assessment Center and mail it to:
Voluntary Assessment Center
PO Box 7039
Dover, DE 19903

If you have questions regarding your ticket you may call the VAC at (302) 739-6911. Town of Bethany Beach employees cannot assist you with tickets payable to the VAC, which is part of the State of Delaware.

If your traffic ticket is payable to Court 31 then make your check out to Court 31 and mail to us at:
Alderman Court 31
PO Box 109
Bethany Beach, DE 19930

If you have questions regarding your ticket you may call the Town of Bethany Beach Court Clerk at (302) 539-8011. You may also fax credit card payment information to us at (302) 537-3776 as indicated on the ticket you received.

If your ticket is for a parking violation then please refer to the Parking Department

2. Whom should I contact concerning a ticket from the Voluntary Assessment Center?

Call the Voluntary Assessment Center at (302) 739-6911. The Alderman Court of Town of Bethany Beach cannot assist you with a ticket written to the Voluntary Assessment Center, which is managed by the State of Delaware.

3. Will I receive points on my out-of-state driver’s license for a ticket written in Delaware?

You must contact your own State’s Department of Motor Vehicles for this information.

4. How do I plead not guilty?

You must contact the court in writing or by phone at (302) 539-8011 by the due date listed on your ticket to be scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment. Your plea of not guilty may be entered at the arraignment.

You will then be scheduled for a trial. You must appear in person at our court in Bethany Beach for both the arraignment and the trial.

5. My ticket doesn’t show a fine amount and says Mandatory Appearance. What do I do?

You must appear in our court before the Alderman. You cannot handle this matter remotely. Your court date is shown on the front of your ticket.

6. What do I do if I am unable to appear on my scheduled court date?

You may reschedule your court date one time by calling the Court Clerk at (302) 539-8011.

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Beach Patrol

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1. How do I become a lifeguard?

The first step in the hiring process is to submit your name and contact information to Captain Joe Donnelly by phone at (302)430-8013.

From that point on, we will arrange a tryout and interview to be conducted some time during the spring prior to the coming summer.

Open tryouts are typically conducted through March and April or by appointment as agreed upon by the applicant and Captain. Beach Patrol Employment

2. What events do the lifeguard tryout include?

The format for the open tryout includes, but is not limited to, the following events:

500m swim in under 10:00 minutes, 1 mile run in under 8:00 minutes, 150 soft-sand sprint run, 50m sprint swim, and a simulated rescue Beach Patrol Employment

3. How do I gain access to a beach wheelchair?

The Town of Bethany Beach has three beach wheelchairs for public use that can be checked out on a first come, first serve basis.

They are stored and can be checked out at the Town Information / Coin Booth at the top of Garfield Parkway.

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Building Department

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1. How tall can my house be?

View the Table of Dimension Requirements in the Town Code

2. What Building Code is used?

2003 IBC and 2003 IRC from International Code Council

3. How do I apply for a Building Permit?

Fill out an application which can be found on the Town's website or at Town Hall. Here.

4. What Zoning District am I in?

See the map Here.

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Building Inspector

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1. How do I apply for a Building Permit?

See link to forms for Building permit application. Building Permit Application

2. What Zoning District am I in?

See link to Zoning map. Zoning Map

3. What are the setbacks for my house?

See link to Table of Dimensional Requirements. Town Code.

4. What is the maximum lot coverage?

See link to Table of Dimensional Requirements Town Code

5. What Flood Zone is my house in?

Call Building Inspector for flood plain determination or link to FEMA for flood insurance rate maps.
Ph: (302) 539-8780
Ph: (302) 539-8011 FEMA Flood Plan

6. What is the maximum height of buildings?

See link to Table of Dimensional Requirements Town Code

7. What are the construction hours and days?

See section §80-22 Town Code Town Code

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Choloramine

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1. Are chloramines new?

Not at all. Many cities in the U. S. and Canada have used chloramines for decades. Denver, for instance, has used chloramines since 1917.

2. Why did Bethany Beach make the change to chloramines?

The Town of Bethany Beach Water Department decided to use chloramines because they last longer in the distribution system, because they lack of taste and odor, and for their safety. It has also been shown that chloramines help deliver water with the lowest possible levels of disinfection by-products.

3. Are there any individuals who may be harmed by the use of chloramines?

There are two groups of people who need to take special precautions with chloraminated water: kidney dialysis patients and fish owners.

4. Why do kidney dialysis patients have to take special precautions?

Chloramines are harmful when they go directly into the bloodstream, as happens in kidney dialysis. In the dialysis process, water comes in contact with the blood across a permeable membrane. Chloramines easily pass through this membrane. Just as chlorine is toxic in that water, chloramines would be toxic and must be removed from water used in kidney dialysis machines.

5. How can people with home dialysis machines remove chloramines?

There are two ways to do that - either by adding ascorbic acid or using granular activated carbon treatment. You should first check with your physician, who will probably recommend the appropriate type of water treatment. Often, home dialysis service companies can make the needed modifications, but you should check with your physician to be certain.

6. If chloramines are toxic, won’t they harm people and pets?

No. To be harmful, chloramines have to go directly into the blood stream, as happens in kidney dialysis. Fish take chloramines directly into their blood streams through their gills. That’s why chloramines must be removed from water used for either of these purposes.

7. Can people with kidney ailments, on low-sodium diets, or with diabetes use chloraminated water?

Yes. People with those medical problems can use chloraminated water for all purposes.

8. Do home water softeners remove chloramines?

Most water softeners are not designed to remove chloramines.

9. How do chloramines affect fish?

Because fish absorb chloramines directly from the water into their blood streams, chloramines are toxic and must be removed from water, just as chlorine was toxic and had to be removed. You may not have had to remove chlorine from your aquarium water, however, because it disappears rapidly on its own. This will not happen with chloramines and steps should be taken to remove chloramines. Most pet stores have sold dechlorinating agents for years and, generally, have recommended using them. The chemicals used to remove chlorine should work just as well for chloramines. Several manufacturers have been adding chloramine information on labels on their products for years.

10. Won’t letting water sit for a few days remove chloramines from tank or pond water?

No. Chlorine dissipates when water is left to sit for a few days. Chloramines may take weeks to disappear. If you don’t want to use a dechloraminating chemical, the next best solution is to install a granular activated filter and allow sufficient contact time.

11. Are both salt and fresh water fish affected by chloramines?

Chloramines affect salt water fish just as they effect fresh water fish. Chloramines will have to be removed if the water used to make salt water solution comes from a chloraminated supply.

12. Will a carbon filter remove chloramines?

Yes. However, it must contain high quality granular activated carbon and you must permit sufficient contact time.

13. Will chloramines be removed by boiling the water?

No. Boiling is not an effective method of removing chloramines from water. The only practical methods for removing chloramines from water are using a water conditioner that contains a dechlorination chemical or by using granular activated carbon.

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Code Enforcement

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1. What are the construction hours?

No construction activities (to include the delivery and supply of materials, removal of refuse from construction sites, or the starting up of engines of mechanized construction equipment or vehicles)shall be carried on except between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, year-round; or between October 1st and May 30th, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on Saturdays. Nothing herein shall prohibit repairs, renovations, or other construction activities carried on by the occupantof any building (including their personal house guests if accompanied by the occupant).

No construction or site preparation work shall be done on any Saturday, Sunday or national holiday. Celebreted national holidays include: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Indepedence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Please call Town Hall if you cannot determined the "celebrated" day for any particular holiday.

2. What are the regulations for the height of grass, weeds, phragmites, etc.?

Maximum height is 8 inches

3. Can you have a bonfire on the beach?

In particular, burning on the beach is expressly prohibited. The Town Manager can issue a permit, with appropriate conditions, for an open burning on the beach. Requests for such permits must be submitted to the Town Manager, in writing, no less than 14 days prior to the date for which the permit is requested.

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Finance

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1. What am I being billed for?

Each May the Town mails an annual bill to the property owner or their mortgage company if requested by the mortgage company. This bill is made up of five parts.

1. Property Tax - The current rate is $0.165 per $100 of assessed value.

2. Trash Fees - The standard residential trash rate is $200 per year. The standard commercial trash rate is $280 per year. The rate for dumpsters vary by size: $790 for 2 yards, $1,030 for 3 yards and $1,225 for a 4 yard dumpster.

3. Water Bond Sinking Fund - The current rate is $1.07 per front footage with a minimum charge of $53.50. This fee funds debt payments on the water plant and distribution system.

4. Recycling Fee – If you chose to sign up for the Town’s voluntary recycling program you will be billed $44 per year for pickups.

5. Ambulance Fee - The Town collects this fee and uses it to pay the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company for ambulance services. The fee is currently $30 per year.

Each April and October the Town mails the semi-annual water usage bills. Rates in effect as of 4/1/08 are as follows:

In Town properties:
$125 Flat Fee per year ($62.50 per six months)
$3.50 per 1,000 gallons for the first 10,000 gallons
$4.50 per 1,000 gallons for 10,001 to 40,000 gallons
$5.50 per 1,000 gallons for usage over 40,001 gallons

Out of Town properties (Savannah’s Landing, Salt Pond…):
$180 Flat Fee per year ($90 per six months)$5.50 per 1,000 gallons

2. When are my bills due?

The annual Property Tax, Trash, and Sinking Fund bill is due June 15. A 2 percent penalty will begin to be assessed monthly on balances unpaid as of September 1.

The semi-annual Water Usage bills are generally due six weeks from date of mailing, so in mid to late May and November. A 2 percent penalty will be assessed monthly after the due date.

3. Can I pay these bills now on my credit card?

Yes, the annual Property Tax, Trash & Sinking Fund bill and the semi-annual Water Usage can be paid online with a credit card.

You can also pay Business License renewals , Real Estate Rental Tax and Parking Tickets.

Other payments such as traffic tickets, building permits, water hook up fees and first time business licenses may be paid with a credit card but only over the phone or in person so that we are sure we have all the information needed.

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General - Home Page

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1. Where can I find a phone number for a Town staff member or department?

View the Staff Directory

2. When is trash collected?

View the Garbage Collection Schedule

3. What are the hours of operation for the Town Hall?

8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, year-round

4. When are my taxes due?

Tax bills are mailed the last week of May. A penalty will apply if taxes are not received by August 31.

5. What are the parking regulations for the Town of Bethany Beach?

View the Parking Rules

6. What are the rules regarding bikes, skateboards, and rollerblades?

Bicycles are prohibited on the boardwalk between May 15 and September 30 of each year, except between the hours of 6:00 am and 9:00 am.

Bicycles are prohibited on the sidewalks at all times. Please use the marked bike lanes.

The use of skateboards, roller skates, and in-line skates is prohibited on the boardwalk and bandstand (including all sidewalks leading to the boardwalk).

7. What are the rules regarding dogs in Bethany Beach?

Town code requires that you clean up after your pet at all times.

Dogs must be leashed and curbed at all times in Bethany Beach .

Dogs are prohibited on the beach and boardwalk from May 15 to September 30.

Licenses are required and tags must be worn at all times.

Dogs found running at large or contrary to these regulations may be delivered to the Delaware SPCA

8. What are the rules regarding the beach and the boardwalk?

View the Beach & Boardwalk Regulations

9. Where can I find emergency and disaster information?

Visit the Public Safety page

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Parking

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1. What are parking meter rates?

All meter rates are $1.50 per hour in quarter increments (10 minutes).

Garfield Parkway and business area (blue meters) have a two-hour limit on the meter, but can be replenished. The remainder of the meters (grey) have an eight-hour limit.

2. I received a ticket, but the meter had failed while I was inserting quarters. What should I do?

Meter failure is rare, but can occur. Drivers should leave a note on their windshield. The meter will be repaired and appropriate time placed on the meter. A note will be left advising the motorist of the action, the time placed on the meter, and time of repair.

3. How do I appeal a ticket?

As stated on the ticket and envelope, personal appeals must be made within 10 days with the Alderman’s Court by calling (302) 539-1000 and setting a date.

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Police Department

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1. What number do I call for the Police Department if it's not an emergency?

Call our non-emergency telephone number (302)539-1000.

2. How do I inform the Police Department of any tips on drug/crime activities?

You can call our drug/crime hotline at (302) 381-5833 or online under Police Department, Submit a Drug/Crime Tip page.

3. How can I obtain a police report?

Please contact Records Division at (302) 539-8102 for this information. Picture ID is required.

Accident reports cost $18.50. Victim's crime report is free (first copy), additional copies $20 each and you must be listed as victim on the police report.

Copies of others (defendants, etc.) need to file a Motion of Discovery through Attorney Generals Office at(302)856-5353.

Also, you must have the report/complaint number. If not known, provide date/time/location in order to research requested information. Allow approximately four (4) business days to process your request.

4. How do I obtain a parking permit?

Parking permits are available from the Parking Division, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The following items must be present at the time of application: driver's license, valid vehicle registration, signed copy of lease for renters or document showing ownership such as tax record, deed, closing papers, and a parking permit application.

5. Does your department do fingerprints for employment?

No, you must contact the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI)

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Public Safety

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1. If ordered, can I be forced to evacuate?

Technically, yes. Title 20, Section 3117 of the Delaware Code gives law enforcement the authority to direct and compel the evacuation of all or part of the population from any area within the state that is necessary for the preservation of life.

2. What are the evacuation routes leading out of Bethany Beach?

Basically, there are two, Rt. 1 to the north and Rt. 26 to the west. Keep in mind that should the evacuation be caused by a coastal storm the Inlet River Bridge will likely be closed, leaving only Rt. 26 as an evacuation route. Rule of Thumb: Evacuate early!

3. Where are shelters located?

Although shelters are scattered throughout Sussex County and Delaware the type of emergency will determine which shelters will be open. Local public should call (302) 539-1000 to obtain shelter information or listen to local media to obtain a list of opened shelters.

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Public Works

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1. What is the trash collection schedule for Town residents?

To find out when your trash will be picked up, view the Trash Collection Schedule

2. How do I schedule a special trash collection?

Special trash collections may be scheduled by calling the Town Hall at (302) 539-8011.

3. How do I dispose of household hazardous waste?

Household hazardous waste must be transported by homeowners to the county landfill. The county landfill accepts these items only one day per year - the first Saturday in May.

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Town Clerk

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1. How Do I Register to Vote?

The information is found on the Elections Section