Salem, OR Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- Oregon Electrical Specialty Code, SRC 56.001
- Permit required before work
- SRC 56.007(a)
- Permit abandonment
- 180 days if inactive, 1 extension allowed
- Unpermitted work penalty
- up to $5,000.00 per violation, SRC 56.198(e)
- No-permit investigation fee
- required under SRC 56.015
Summary
Salem enforces electrical work through the Oregon Electrical Specialty Code as part of the State Building Code administered locally under SRC 56.001, and SRC 56.007 requires anyone doing work covered by the Building Code, including electrical work, to obtain a permit from the Building Official before starting, with plans reviewed and fees paid.
State Building Code means the following specialty codes of the State administered and enforced by the City: Oregon Structural Specialty Code, Oregon Residential Specialty Code, Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code, Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code, Oregon Electrical Specialty Code, Oregon Energy Efficiency Code and the Oregon Manufactured Home Specialty Code. ... (a)A person shall, prior to undertaking or causing to be undertaken any work for which a permit is required under any provision of the Building Code, obtain a building permit as provided in this section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
150. 007(a) requires a person to obtain a building permit prior to undertaking any work for which a permit is required under any provision of the Building Code, which includes electrical work covered by the Electrical Specialty Code. The Building Official reviews the application, plans, specifications, and other data submitted, and issues the permit once the work conforms to the Building Code and applicable law and all required fees are paid. 007(c). Once issued, work must follow the approved plans, and any change requires the Building Official's prior authorization.
015 requires anyone who starts permitted work without first getting the permit to undergo a special investigation and pay an investigation fee in addition to the permit fee, regardless of whether a permit is ultimately issued. 198 with stop-work orders and civil penalties.
Violations & Fines
Doing electrical or other Building Code work without first getting a permit violates SRC 56.195(c) and can draw a stop-work order under SRC 56.198(a) plus a civil penalty of up to $5,000.00 per violation under SRC 56.198(e), with each day the violation continues counted as a separate violation. Starting work without a permit also triggers a mandatory special investigation and added fee under SRC 56.015 before any permit can be issued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Salem require a permit for electrical work?
What happens if I start electrical work without a permit?
How long is a Salem building permit good for before it expires?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salem
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