(a) New Castle County may impose, by duly enacted ordinance, a local lodging tax of no more than 3 percent of the rent, in addition to the amount imposed by the State, for any room in a hotel, motel, or tourist home, as defined in § 6101 of Title 30, which is located within the unincorporated areas of the county.
(b) [Repealed.]
(c) Sussex County may impose, by duly enacted ordinance, a local lodging tax of no more than 3 percent of the rent, in addition to the amount imposed by the State, for any room or rooms in a hotel, motel or tourist home, as defined in § 6101 of Title 30, which is located within the unincorporated areas of Sussex County. Any funds realized by Sussex County pursuant to this subsection shall be expended solely within Sussex County, for the capital and operating costs of beach nourishment, waterway dredging, economic development, tourism programs, recreational activities, and water quality and flood control projects. An amount not to exceed 5% of the funds realized from the tax may be used to pay the costs of administering projects funded under this subsection.
(d) Rentals by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control are exempt from the lodging tax established by this section.