Lewes, Delaware Short-Term Rental Market
Lewes, DE STRs averaged $269/night at 35.3% occupancy in April 2026; July peaks at 79% occupancy and $6,758 avg monthly revenue.
Quick Answer: Lewes, Delaware is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 35%. average monthly revenue is $2,084. average daily rate is $269. the top operator is Vacasa with 2,346 listings. market score is 49/100 (grade D).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Lewes is a historic Delaware coastal town at the mouth of Delaware Bay, serving as a gateway to Cape Henlopen State Park and the broader Southern Delaware beach region. As a beach-destination market, Lewes operates on sharp summer seasonality: April data shows 35.3% occupancy, while July and August average 79% and 78% respectively.
In April 2026, the market recorded an average daily rate of $268.61 and occupancy of 35.3%, producing RevPAR of $94.77. Average monthly revenue per active listing was $2,084. Year-over-year, ADR increased 9.2%, while occupancy declined 12.5% and revenue fell 9.4%. These metrics reflect a soft April comparison to a strong prior year, not a sustained downward shift: the 2025 full-year average revenue was $3,858 per month, up from $3,728 in 2024.
The listing mix is almost exclusively entire-home properties (14,952 units), with private rooms at 154 units and shared rooms at 1. The bedroom mix skews toward 2-bedroom (4,712 units) and 3-bedroom (4,397) properties, consistent with a beach vacation rental market. One-bedroom units account for 2,126 listings and larger 4- and 5-bedroom properties represent 2,232 and 1,628 units respectively.
VRBO has a strong presence in this market (3,920 units), complemented by a large cross-listed segment (8,577 units on both platforms) and a smaller Airbnb-only pool (2,610 units).
Market scores show a revenue-growth standout (91.54) alongside moderate rental demand (47.47) and a seasonality score of 42.57 reflecting the pronounced summer concentration. The investability score is 69.59 and total market score 48.70. Note: listing counts represent the broader Sussex County/Delaware beach region served by this data feed.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25% | $272 | $2,023 |
| Feb | 35% | $256 | $2,004 |
| Mar | 40% | $249 | $2,030 |
| Apr | 39% | $262 | $2,334 |
| May | 47% | $304 | $2,768 |
| Jun | 70% | $349 | $5,336 |
| Jul | 79% | $345 | $6,758 |
| Aug | 78% | $342 | $6,733 |
| Sep | 45% | $282 | $3,338 |
| Oct | 26% | $249 | $2,040 |
| Nov | 25% | $256 | $1,898 |
| Dec | 31% | $277 | $2,111 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Lewes
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 2,346 | 60,626 | ★ 4.36 |
| 2 | Coastal Resort Rentals | 355 | 1,646 | ★ 4.39 |
| 3 | Shoreline Properties | 349 | 1,861 | ★ 4.28 |
| 4 | Central Reservations | 328 | 4,890 | ★ 4.53 |
| 5 | VacayHome Connect | 312 | 593 | ★ 4.18 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Lewes?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 2,126 |
| 2 bed | 4,712 |
| 3 bed | 4,397 |
| 4 bed | 2,232 |
| 5 bed | 1,628 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $271 |
| Luxury | $391 |
| Professionally Managed | $287 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $1,784 |
| Entire Place | $2,098 |
| House | $2,685 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 17.3% |
| vrbo | 25.9% |
| both | 56.8% |
Investment Analysis
Lewes is a high-ADR, high-seasonality beach market where revenue is heavily concentrated in a 10-12 week summer window. The April 2026 off-season monthly revenue of $2,084 understates typical performance: the 2025 annual average was $3,858 per month, implying approximately $46,296 in gross annual revenue on a 2025 annual average basis. Against a Zillow typical home value of $593,084, that represents a gross yield of approximately 7.8% (computed from 2025 annual average monthly revenue). Median sale price was $561,250 and median list price $627,333 as of April 2026, with median days to pending at 29.
Using the April 2026 off-season monthly revenue of $2,084, the annualized figure is approximately $25,010, or a gross yield of 4.2% against typical home value. Neither calculation accounts for operating costs, management fees, or the revenue concentration risk of a market where nearly all income arrives in 10-12 summer weeks.
The ADR tier split shows limited separation between all listings ($269) and entire-home listings ($271), but professionally managed properties averaged $287 per night and luxury-tier listings commanded $391 per night, a 46% premium over the all-market average. Year-over-year, ADR grew 9.2% through April 2026, indicating continued rate strength. The 2024-to-2025 revenue increase (+3.5%) reflects a positive multi-year trend.
No owner-occupancy requirement applies in Lewes, making conventional investment property purchases permissible under current city rules. The $100 annual license fee is a minimal barrier to entry.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
Run a Free Address Analysis
Skip the market averages. Get revenue projections, comp analysis, and ROI for your specific property address. Free, instant, no signup required.
Analyze My Property →Home Value Trends (Lewes)
Booking Insights
In April 2026, the average booking lead time for Lewes was 52.4 days, and the average length of stay was 3.38 nights.
A 52-day lead time indicates that most bookings arrive nearly two months before the stay. For a peak-summer beach market, this means July-August inventory should carry premium pricing by early May at the latest. Operators who wait to publish peak-season rates until June risk losing the early-booking premium from Mid-Atlantic drive-market guests who plan beach trips months in advance.
An average stay length of 3.38 nights reflects a mix of weekend getaways and extended stays. In peak summer months (July-August), many operators impose 5- to 7-night minimum stays for Saturday check-ins to capture the full premium week. During shoulder season (May, September, October), shorter minimums of 2-3 nights improve calendar occupancy. The all-year average of 3.38 is pulled down by shorter off-season stays and reflects the variety of trip types rather than a single booking pattern.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Lewes regulates short-term rentals under Chapter 150 of the City Code (Rental Licensing), adopted October 10, 2022 and effective January 1, 2023. Every STR must hold a valid City of Lewes rental license; the $100 application fee covers a calendar-year term (January 1 through December 31) with annual renewal. Fees are prorated 50% for terms under three months, and licenses are non-transferable between owners or properties.
There is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement in Lewes, making non-owner-occupied investment STRs permissible under current city rules.
Key operating conditions include:
– Maximum overnight occupancy is two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons (children 12 and under are not counted).
– A designated local contact must be reachable 24/7 and able to respond within two hours.
– Each rental must display its rental ID number in all advertising.
– Safety requirements include smoke and CO detectors, a fire extinguisher, and GFCI outlets near sinks.
On taxes, Lewes operators owe the city’s 5% Gross Receipts Rental Tax (GRRT), Delaware’s state lodging tax (4.5% as of January 1, 2025), and a possible Sussex County lodging tax of up to 3%. Combined taxes may reach up to approximately 12.5%. Note: at an April 8, 2025 public hearing, the city proposed raising the GRRT from 5% to 5.5%; operators should confirm the current GRRT rate with the City of Lewes before filing.
Enforcement escalates from written warning to fines to license revocation. Three repeat violations, six total notices of violation during a license term, or any revocation can bar re-licensing for 12 months.
Market Comparison
Lewes’s April 2026 occupancy of 35.3% is below the US STR median of approximately 55%, but this reflects the off-season timing for a beach market. The 2025 annual average occupancy was 44.5%, and peak months (July-August) reach 78-79%. The ADR of $269 is above the national median of approximately $220, reflecting the premium commanded by Delaware beach vacation properties.
Relative to other Mid-Atlantic beach markets, Lewes competes with Cape May, NJ, Ocean City, MD, and the Rehoboth Beach/Dewey Beach corridor within Sussex County. Its historic downtown, Cape Henlopen State Park access, and the Lewes-Cape May Ferry connection differentiate it as a more characterful option than pure-resort beach towns.
The revenue growth market score of 91.54 reflects a strong long-term ADR trend, even against near-term occupancy softness.
Among active property managers, Vacasa dominates with 2,346 listings and 60,626 reviews at a 4.36 rating. Coastal Resort Rentals operates 355 listings (4.39 rating), Shoreline Properties 349 listings (4.28), Central Reservations 328 listings (4.53), and VacayHome Connect 312 listings (4.18). The heavy Vacasa presence reflects the market consolidation typical of established East Coast beach rental corridors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lewes, Delaware
What is the average daily rate for STRs in Lewes, DE?
What is the occupancy rate for Lewes short-term rentals?
What permits are required for STRs in Lewes, DE?
What taxes apply to Lewes short-term rentals?
What does a typical Lewes STR earn per year?
When is peak season for Lewes short-term rentals?
Who are the top property managers in the Lewes beach market?
Analyze Lewes Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Lewes.
Free Lewes STR Calculator →
