Landscaping Rules in Salem, OR

If you live in Salem or are thinking about moving there, landscaping rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Salem has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of landscaping rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Weed Ordinances

Salem caps weeds and grass at ten inches: SRC 50.025 defines 'noxious vegetation' as weeds or grass over ten inches, rank or dead growth, poison oak, hemlock, or ivy, or hazardous thickets, and SRC 50.705 makes it unlawful for an owner to let that vegetation stand on any premises or the street right-of-way abutting it.

Key details: Height limit: 10 inches for weeds and grass. Governing section: SRC § 50.705, noxious vegetation prohibited. First violation fine: $100.00 to $250.00, SRC 50.900(c). Repeat violation fine: at least $250.00 within one year. City abatement overhead: 20% surcharge added to mowing cost.

A first weed or grass violation over the ten-inch limit is an infraction punishable by $100.00 to $250.00 under SRC 50.900(c); a repeat violation of the same provision within a year is punishable by at least $250.00. The City can also mow the lot itself after notice under SRC 50.810 and bill the owner for the cost plus a 20 percent overhead charge under SRC 50.840, with the unpaid balance becoming a property lien after 30 days under SRC 50.845.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

SRC 808.030 requires a City tree and vegetation removal permit before cutting a significant tree, a riparian-corridor tree, or a tree on a lot of 20,000 square feet or more, processed as a Type I application, with 17 listed exceptions covering hazards, utilities, and emergencies.

Key details: Permit required for: Significant, riparian, and large-lot trees. Procedure type: Type I under SRC chapter 300. Large-lot threshold: 20,000 sq ft or more. Large-lot annual limit: 5 trees or 15% per year. Exceptions listed: 17 categories in 808.030(a)(2).

Enforcement runs through SRC 808.065: the Planning Administrator may issue a stop work order confined to the violating site phase, revoke the permit where work threatens public safety or adjacent property, and require a replanting and restoration plan valued at the tree's appraised worth under the ISA Guide for Plant Appraisals, with any balance paid into the Salem City Tree Fund. The City withholds the notice of final completion until the violation is cured and penalties are paid, and may pursue injunctive relief for up to five years against willful violations of the conservation-plan sections.

This is one of the stricter rules in Salem's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Water Restrictions

Salem bars knowingly or negligently wasting public system water and lets the Director curtail water use citywide during a shortage or emergency, with a second citation during curtailment risking a flow restrictor or service termination.

Key details: Waste prohibition: SRC 72.240, knowing or negligent water waste. Curtailment authority: SRC 72.250, Director-issued shortage plan. Second-violation penalty: Flow restrictor or service termination. Trigger: Actual or imminent water supply shortage. Enforcing official: City Water Director.

A first violation of the water waste prohibition (SRC 72.240) or a curtailment order (SRC 72.250) during an activated emergency draws a citation. A second violation after that citation, within the same emergency curtailment period, lets the Director install a flow restrictor on the meter's street side or terminate water service under SRC 72.260.

Tree Trimming

Property owners in Salem must maintain and prune trees, shrubs, or other plants on their land that project into City property, including over streets and sidewalks, under SRC 86.015(c). If an owner neglects that duty after a written order from the Director, the City can prune or remove the growth itself and bill the property owner for the cost.

Key details: Duty on owner: Prune growth projecting into City property. Compliance window: 10 days after Director's written order. City remedy: May prune/remove and bill owner. Restoration cost: Appraised tree value plus separate fine. Civil penalty: Up to $2,000 per violation.

Failing to prune trees or shrubs projecting into City property within ten days of a Director's written order under SRC 86.105(a) is a chapter 86 violation. The City can then prune or remove the growth itself under SRC 86.105(b), bill the owner for restoration at appraised tree value, and impose a separate civil fine per violation up to $2,000 under SRC 86.120(c).

The Bottom Line

Salem's landscaping rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Salem is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Salem can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.