A Resident's Guide to Salem's Local Ordinances

Salem is a mid-sized city in Marion County, Oregon, with about 178000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 90 ordinances across 25 categories that affect daily life in Salem.

Noise Ordinances

Leaf Blower Rules: Salem prohibits operating domestic power equipment — including gas and electric leaf blowers — between 10 PM and 7 AM under SRC Chapter 93. Oregon state law blocks cities from banning gas-powered equipment outright, so Salem regulates leaf blowers through time and nuisance noise limits only..

Also covered: Amplified Music & Events (moderate), Construction Hours (moderate), Barking Dogs (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Salem for details.

Sign Regulations

Holiday Displays: Salem's Sign Code (SRC Chapter 900) does not regulate traditional residential holiday decorations such as lights, wreaths, and lawn figures. These are not classified as 'signs' and require no permit.

Also covered: Garage Sale Signs (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for Salem for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Frequency Limits: Salem limits each residence to three garage sales per calendar year, with each sale lasting no more than three consecutive days, under SRC § 96.165. No permit is required to hold a garage sale, but exceeding the frequency limit is a criminal misdemeanor..

Also covered: Time Restrictions (permissive), Garage Sale Permits (moderate). See the full garage & yard sales guide for Salem for details.

Fence Regulations

Retaining Walls: Salem requires a building permit for any retaining wall taller than 4 feet (measured footing-to-top). Walls 4 feet or under are generally exempt from permits.

Also covered: Material Restrictions (moderate), Permit Requirements (permissive), Neighbor Fence Rules (permissive). See the full fence regulations guide for Salem for details.

Trash & Recycling

Bin Placement Rules: Salem's Solid Waste Management code (SRC Chapter 47) requires residents to place garbage, recycling, and organics carts at the curb by 6:00 AM on their scheduled collection day. Carts must have lids opening toward the street with 4 feet of clearance between containers..

Also covered: Bulk Item Disposal (moderate), Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Salem for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: Salem has strong tree protection under its UDC. Tree removal may require permits, especially for significant trees and trees within development areas.

Also covered: Native Plants (permissive), Artificial Turf (permissive), Weed Ordinances (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Salem for details.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: Salem addresses property blight through SRC Chapter 50 (Property Maintenance) and Chapter 98 (Public Nuisance). Dilapidated structures, trash, debris, excessive weeds, and graffiti are prohibited; the City can abate violations and place liens on non-compliant properties..

Also covered: Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate), Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Salem for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Vending Zones: Salem requires a city business license for mobile food units (food trucks) under SRC Chapter 30. Units may only operate in zones where mobile food units are a permitted use — generally commercial and industrial zones — and cannot vend from public streets or rights-of-way..

Animal Ordinances

Dog Leash Laws: Salem requires dogs to be on leash or under owner control when off private property. Dogs must be licensed with Marion County and vaccinated against rabies..

Also covered: Chickens & Livestock (moderate), Breed Restrictions (permissive), Beekeeping (permissive). See the full animal ordinances guide for Salem for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Salem requires peddlers, solicitors, and transient merchants operating within city limits to obtain a license under SRC Chapter 30. Applicants must submit a fee, photo ID, and pass a background check; licensees must display credentials on request..

Swimming Pools & Spas

Pool Permits: A City of Salem building permit is required for any in-ground swimming pool, and a separate permit is required for the pool barrier (pool barriers are NOT exempt from permit). Construction must comply with Chapter 42 of the Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC), which adopts pool, spa, and hot tub barrier rules including a minimum 48-inch barrier height..

Also covered: Hot Tub Rules (moderate), Fencing Requirements (strict), Above-Ground Pools (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Salem for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Salem enforces Oregon's statewide juvenile curfew under ORS 419C.680 via SRC Chapter 95. Minors are prohibited from unsupervised presence in public places between midnight and 4 AM unless accompanied by a parent or engaged in a lawful activity..

Also covered: Park Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Salem for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Taxes & Fees: Salem imposes a Transient Room Tax on short-term lodging. STR hosts must collect and remit this tax.

Also covered: Occupancy Limits (moderate), Insurance Requirements (moderate), Permit Requirements (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Salem for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Permits: Salem permits accessory dwelling units as a 'special use' under Salem Revised Code (SRC) Chapter 700, Section 700.007, accessory to a detached single-family dwelling. No discretionary land use application is required where the special-use standards are met, but a building permit from Salem Community Development is required.

Also covered: Carport Rules (moderate), Tiny Homes (moderate), ADU Owner Occupancy (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for Salem for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Lot Coverage Limits: Salem's single-family residential (RS) zone establishes minimum setbacks and maximum lot coverage standards in UDC Chapter 511. Front yards are 12 ft, rear yards 14 ft, and side yards 5 ft, with garages set back 20 ft from the street..

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Salem has flood-prone areas along the Willamette River and Mill Creek. The city participates in FEMA's NFIP and regulates development in Special Flood Hazard Areas through its flood damage prevention ordinance..

Also covered: Grading & Drainage (moderate), Stormwater Management (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Salem for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Removal Permits: Salem UDC Chapter 808 protects Oregon white oaks 20 inches DBH or larger and any tree 30 inches DBH or larger on private property. Removal requires a city permit; unpermitted removal can result in fines exceeding $1,000 per tree and mandatory replacement planting..

Also covered: Tree Replacement Requirements (strict). See the full tree protection guide for Salem for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: Salem's Unified Development Code Section 800.060 requires exterior lighting for new development to be shielded and directed downward to minimize light trespass and sky glow, consistent with Oregon's statewide shielded-fixture standards..

Also covered: Light Trespass (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Salem for details.

Fire Regulations

Propane Storage: Salem adopts the Oregon Fire Code (OFC) in SRC Chapter 58, which incorporates OFC Chapter 61 and NFPA 58 standards governing LP-gas and propane storage, handling, and installation for residential and commercial properties..

Also covered: Brush Clearance (moderate), Fire Pit Rules (moderate), Outdoor Burning (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Salem for details.

Parking Rules

Overnight Parking: Salem Revised Code Chapter 102 prohibits vehicles from remaining parked on the same public street block for more than 24 consecutive hours. Overnight parking is not banned city-wide, but continuous over-limit parking draws citations..

Also covered: EV Charging (moderate), Driveway Rules (moderate), RV & Boat Parking (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Salem for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Salem Revised Code Chapter 31 requires all marijuana businesses, including retail dispensaries, to obtain a city registration and comply with location restrictions. Dispensaries must stay 1,000 feet from schools and operate only in permitted commercial zones..

Rental Property Rules

Rental Registration: Salem mandates a Multifamily Housing License for residential rental properties with three or more dwelling units under SRC Chapter 59. Licensed properties must pass safety inspections every five years and comply with Salem's Housing Code standards..

Holiday Decorations

Inflatable Display Rules: Salem has no city ordinance regulating inflatable holiday displays on private residential property. Inflatables must stay within the property line and may not encroach on the public sidewalk or right-of-way (SRC Title IX governs streets and public ways).

Also covered: Holiday Light Rules (permissive), Lawn Ornament Rules (permissive). See the full holiday decorations guide for Salem for details.

Outdoor Cooking

Smoker Rules: Salem regulates smokers and other solid-fuel cooking devices through the Oregon Fire Code (IFC Section 308) and the Salem Fire Department's open-burning ordinance. Solid-fuel cooking on non-sprinklered multi-family balconies is prohibited under IFC 308.1.4.

Also covered: BBQ & Propane Rules (moderate), Outdoor Kitchen Permits (moderate). See the full outdoor cooking guide for Salem for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Salem prohibits business signs at home occupations. No external evidence of a home-based business may be visible from outside the property..

Also covered: Zoning Restrictions (moderate), Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for Salem for details.

What to Do With This Information

This overview covers the big picture, but the details matter. Each ordinance page for Salem includes the full text, violation penalties, and frequently asked questions. Use those pages when you need specifics.