Salem, OR Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Under SRC 56.215(a), every dangerous building, structure or portion of one is declared a public nuisance that the City can force to be abated by repair, demolition, or by securing and vacating the property. Subsection (b) lists eighteen specific conditions that make a building 'dangerous' when they endanger public health, safety or welfare, including likely partial or complete collapse from deterioration or faulty construction, an inadequate or deteriorated foundation, structural strength below current Building Code minimums, unsafe exits, a Fire Marshal finding of fire hazard, and abandonment for more than 30 days where the abandonment creates an attractive nuisance. A building removed from its foundation and left unattached for more than 90 days also qualifies (SRC 56.215(b)(16)).

The Code Compliance Official enforces this section and can obtain an administrative search warrant if voluntary entry is denied (SRC 56.210). Once a building is found dangerous, the Code Compliance Official must initiate abatement 'as soon as practicable' (SRC 56.220) by issuing a written enforcement order to the record owner and any lienholders, lessees or easement holders of record; the order gives the owner up to 60 days to obtain permits and begin required repairs or demolition, or to vacate and secure the structure (SRC 56.225). Where the building poses an immediate threat, the Code Compliance Official also posts an order to vacate reading 'DO NOT ENTER - UNSAFE TO OCCUPY' at every entrance, and occupying a posted building is a misdemeanor (SRC 56.230(b)). Historic resources get an added layer of protection: a dangerous building that is a designated historic resource cannot be demolished without separate approval under SRC 230.090 (SRC 56.215(c)).