Accessory Structures in Salem, OR (2026)
4 verified accessory structures rules for Salem, Oregon, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Salem caps an accessory dwelling unit at 900 square feet or 75 percent of the main house's gross floor area, whichever is smaller, and limits detached ADUs to 25 feet in height. Only one ADU is allowed per lot, and it cannot be split off in separate ownership from the main house under SRC 700.007.
Salem Accessory Dwelling Unit Standards
Some RestrictionsSRC § 700.007(a), (b)
(2) Size. Accessory dwelling units shall not exceed 900 square feet, or 75 percent of the main building gross area, whichever is less. (3) Types of structures allowed. Accessory dwelling units shall only be allowed in lawfully-built dwelling units that meet building code requirements. [...] (6) Other uses. Accessory dwelling units shall be prohibited from being used as short-term rentals or acc...
ADU Impact Fees
Salem charges system development charges (SDCs), its impact fees for water, wastewater, stormwater, transportation, and parks capacity, on nearly every new development citywide, but SRC 41.150(a)(9) carves out a blanket exemption for 'any accessory dwelling unit.' A new ADU in Salem therefore owes no SDC at building permit issuance, unlike most other new residential construction, which pays the charge under SRC 41.110.
Salem ADUs Are Exempt From SDC Impact Fees
Few RestrictionsSalem Revised Code §§ 41.110(a), 41.150(a)(9)
(a) System development charges are hereby imposed upon all development within the City and on development outside the City where there is a connection to or use of a City capital improvement for which a methodology has been or is hereinafter adopted, except where development is exempt under the provisions of SRC 41.150. [...] (a) The charge imposed under this chapter shall not apply to the foll...
ADU Rental Restrictions
Salem bars accessory dwelling units from operating as short-term rentals or accessory short-term rentals. The rule sits in the special-use standards at SRC 700.007(a)(6), and applies to every ADU in the city regardless of zone once the unit is designated a special use.
Salem ADUs Cannot Be Short-Term Rentals
Significant RestrictionsSalem Revised Code § 700.007(a)(6)
(6)Other uses. Accessory dwelling units shall be prohibited from being used as short-term rentals or accessory short-term rentals.
Shed & Carport Rules
In Salem's RS single family zone, a shed or other accessory structure must sit at least 5 ft from an interior side line, stay within 15 ft in height, cover no more than 25% of the rear yard, and fit under an aggregate square footage cap tied to the size of the house: 600 sq. ft. for a main building of 1,200 square feet or less.
Salem OR Shed Rules in Single Family (RS) Zones
Some RestrictionsSalem Revised Code § 511.010(d)-(f)
Accessory to all uses; infill lot None Applicable to accessory structures having at least 1 wall which is an integral part of a fence. Min. 5 ft. Applicable to all other accessory structures. ... Accessory to all other uses None Applicable to accessory structures not more than 9 ft. in height. Min. 1 ft. for each 1 ft. of height over 9 ft. Applicable to accessory structures greater than 9 ft. i...
Looking for Marion County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Salem city rules.
Accessory Structures in Marion County →