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Salem, OR Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section: SRC 50.700, Property Maintenance
Duty: keep all premises free of pest infestation
Enforcer: City Health Officer
First-offense fine: $100 to $250
Repeat-offense fine: $250 minimum within 1 year
Civil penalty ceiling: $2,000 per violation

Summary

Salem requires every premises in the city to stay free of pest infestation under SRC 50.700, part of the Property Maintenance chapter enforced by the Health Officer. Infestations must be exterminated promptly without harming human health, and reinfestation must be prevented.

(a)All premises shall be kept free from pest infestation.(b)Pest infestations shall be promptly exterminated in a manner that will not be injurious to human health.(c)After extermination, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent re-infestation.

View official code

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

700 sets a citywide duty applying to "all premises," not just rental housing: subsection (a) requires premises be kept free from pest infestation, subsection (b) requires any infestation be promptly exterminated in a manner that won't injure human health, and subsection (c) requires proper precautions afterward to prevent reinfestation. 880, including notice to the responsible person, summary abatement, and recovery of the City's costs. 235 requires every residential structure be kept free from insect and rodent infestation and lets the Inspector order professional pest treatment if ordinary extermination isn't enough to eradicate it.

705, which bars noxious or rank vegetation on premises or in an abutting right-of-way, a common rodent-harborage condition the Health Officer can pursue the same way as a pest infestation.

Violations & Fines

A first violation of SRC 50.700 is an infraction punishable by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $250 under SRC 50.900(c); a second or subsequent violation of the same provision within one year carries a minimum fine of $250. The City may additionally assess a civil penalty of up to $2,000 per violation under SRC 50.915, and the Hearings Officer or Court may separately order the owner to correct the infestation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who enforces pest control violations in Salem?

The City's Health Officer administers SRC chapter 50, Property Maintenance, and can pursue nuisance abatement under SRC 50.810 through 50.880 or refer the case for the infraction and civil penalties set out in SRC 50.900 and 50.915.

What's the fine for letting a property stay infested in Salem?

A first violation of SRC 50.700 is an infraction punishable by $100 to $250 under SRC 50.900(c); a second violation of the same provision within a year carries a minimum $250 fine, and the City can add a civil penalty of up to $2,000 per violation under SRC 50.915.

Does the pest-free rule apply to all properties or just rentals?

SRC 50.700 applies to "all premises" citywide, not just rental housing. Residential structures also carry a parallel duty under SRC 59.235 of the Housing Code, which lets the Inspector order professional pest treatment if ordinary extermination fails.

Sources & Official References

[1]Salem Revised Code Chapter 50, Property Maintenance (Municode)

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