Salem, OR Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Salem Revised Code chapter 71 governs stormwater citywide. 055, and a violation is an infraction. 055 then lists specific discharges the City treats as permissible, such as uncontrolled water line flushing, landscape and lawn irrigation, foundation and footing drains, individual residential car washing, dechlorinated pool or hot tub water, and firefighting flows, but only so long as the discharge does not cause or contribute to a violation of the City's NPDES municipal stormwater permit, a total maximum daily load, or endanger public health or property.

045 makes the chapter applicable to all projects whether or not a permit is required, all discharges to the public or private stormwater system, all new and existing land uses, and every person owning, occupying, or engaging in activity on real property, even when no construction project is underway. 060 separately requires anyone who owns, occupies, or engages in activity on property to report a discharge of a pollutant to the Public Works Department at the earliest possible time, and no later than 24 hours after discovery, with failure to report itself a separate infraction.

065 requires every property owner to implement best management practices, including eliminating illicit connections, proper disposal and storage of wastes, and spill prevention and cleanup, to keep pollutants out of the stormwater system.