Salem, OR Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)

SRC 58.004(f) amends Oregon Fire Code section 503.1.2.1 as it applies in Salem. It requires at least two separate fire apparatus access roads for any building or structure with an occupant load greater than 100 persons that is used for a Group E occupancy, a classification that under this section expressly covers day care facilities providing educational, supervision, or personal care services for six or more children older than two and a half years, as well as K-12 educational uses for six or more persons at a time. The requirement applies whether the building is newly constructed, moved into Salem, or moved within the city.

There is one built-in exception: a building does not need the second access road if one entire side of the structure sits within 50 feet of an already-open public through street that is itself sufficient for fire apparatus access. Because this sits inside SRC chapter 58's Fire Prevention Code, it is enforced by the Fire Code Official under the chapter's general powers (SRC 58.006), and a facility that does not provide the required access roads can be treated the same as any other Fire Prevention Code violation, subject to a stop work order or a discontinued-use order under SRC 58.011 and the civil-penalty and permit provisions of SRC 58.175 and 58.185. Day care operators pursuing a building permit for a new or converted facility should confirm access-road compliance with the Fire Code Official during plan review, since SRC 56.027 also routes structural-permit plans through fire plan review for any project needing a certificate of occupancy.