Property Maintenance in Salem, OR: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Salem or are thinking about moving there, property maintenance are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Salem has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of property maintenance, and some of them might surprise you.

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing

Salem requires owners, lessees, and occupants of property abutting a sidewalk to keep it clean and clear of ice, snow, dirt, vegetation, debris, or obstructions at all times, and makes them liable for injuries caused by a breach of that duty.

Key details: Governing section: SRC 78.220, Duty to keep sidewalks safe, clean. Duty holders: Owners, lessees, and occupants abutting the sidewalk. Covers: Ice, snow, dirt, vegetation, debris, obstructions. Enforcement path: Director notice and order, then SRC 78.300. Owner liability: Liable for injuries from a breach of the duty.

Neglecting to clear ice, snow, dirt, vegetation, debris, or obstructions after a Director notice and order is an infraction under SRC 78.310, and the City may proceed under SRC 78.300 to perform the clearing itself, billing the owner the cost plus a ten percent administrative surcharge as a property lien, alongside a civil penalty of up to $2,000 per violation for continued noncompliance.

Property Blight

Salem Revised Code 56.215 declares any dangerous building a public nuisance that must be abated by repair, demolition, or securing and vacating the property. A structure counts as dangerous if conditions such as likely collapse, an inadequate foundation, a fire hazard finding, or abandonment for more than 30 days endanger public health, safety or welfare.

Key details: Governing section: SRC 56.215. Abatement methods: repair, demolition, or secure and vacate. Abandonment threshold: more than 30 days = possible nuisance. Repair/demolition deadline: up to 60 days in enforcement order. Occupying posted building: a misdemeanor.

Occupying a building posted 'DO NOT ENTER - UNSAFE TO OCCUPY' is a misdemeanor under the posted order (SRC 56.230(b)), and it is likewise a misdemeanor to remove or deface that notice. Owners who miss the enforcement order's repair or demolition deadline face a City order to vacate the property, and the City may complete the work itself and place the cost as a lien against the property (SRC 56.225(d)).

The Bottom Line

Salem's property maintenance 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.

All of the above reflects Salem's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.