Business Licensing & Operations in Salem, OR (2026)
4 verified business licensing & operations rules for Salem, Oregon, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Secondhand Dealers
Salem requires secondhand dealers who buy or sell used goods such as jewelry, precious metals, electronics, and collectibles to hold a "dealer in used merchandise" license, log every purchase with the Salem Police Department, and hold items 14 days before resale. Failing to record a transaction is an infraction under SRC 30.250.
Salem Secondhand Dealer Licensing
Some RestrictionsSalem Revised Code §§ 30.005, 30.200, 30.245
Secondhand dealer means any person engaged in the business of buying, selling, or otherwise dealing in secondhand goods either as a separate business or as a substantial part of another business. ... [SRC 30.245(a)] It shall be unlawful for any dealer in used merchandise to knowingly purchase, acquire by pledge, or loan money against any of the following types of property: (1)Prescription medic...
Pawnbrokers
Salem requires every pawnbroker to hold a City license as a "dealer in used merchandise" under SRC chapter 30, keep detailed transaction records reported to the Police Chief, and hold purchased or pledged property for 14 days before resale. The Police Department administers licensing and can order property held longer during an active investigation.
Salem Pawnbroker Licensing Rules
Some RestrictionsSalem Revised Code §§ 30.005, 30.200, 30.205
Pawnbroker means any person engaged in the business of loaning money to another person where personal security, pawns, or pledges are the condition of the loan; or the business of purchasing articles of personal property with the agreement to resell the articles to the vendors thereof, at prices agreed upon at or before the time of such purchase. ... [SRC 30.200(a)] every dealer in used merchan...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Salem's UDC excludes automotive repair from home occupations entirely: Sec. 400.125(b)(3)(A) reclassifies 'automotive repair, body work, painting, and other motor vehicle services' as a stand-alone 'motor vehicle services' use, and the residential zone tables mark that use prohibited (N), so no permit or home-occupation approval lets a resident run a repair shop out of a house, garage, or driveway.
Salem Bars Home-Based Auto Repair
Heavy RestrictionsSalem Revised Code (UDC) § 400.125(b)
(b)Home occupations.(1)Characteristics. Home occupations are characterized by any business or professional activity conducted by a resident within a building used for household living, or within an accessory structure thereto, which is clearly accessory and subordinate to the residential use of the building and its premises. Home occupations maintain the essential residential character of the b...
Towing Companies
A Salem police officer may order your car towed from private property without your consent if you're arrested there or the officer reasonably believes you lack permission to park, under SRC 102.200. The City contracts with towing firms under a set maximum-charge schedule, and the tow company holds a lien on your vehicle until all charges are paid.
Salem Non-Consent Towing From Private Property
Significant RestrictionsSRC § 102.200
(a)In addition to any other authority a police officer has to tow vehicles, a police officer is authorized to order a motor vehicle towed if the driver of the vehicle is arrested, the vehicle is parked unattended on private property, and the officer reasonably believes the driver lacks permission to allow the vehicle to remain parked on the property...(c)The City may contract the services of on...
Looking for Marion County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Salem city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Marion County →