Salem, OR Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)

Salem Revised Code Chapter 500 establishes the Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) zone "to implement the farming and resource management designation of the Salem Area Comprehensive Plan through the identification of allowed uses and the establishment of development standards," and the zone "allows for the practice of agricultural and forestry uses" (SRC 500.001). Table 500-1 lists agriculture, forestry, and the keeping of livestock and other animals as permitted (P) uses outright; a single-family dwelling or manufactured home is allowed only conditionally, and only "in conjunction with agriculture or keeping of livestock and other animals." Retail sales are conditional and limited to products grown on the property.

Table 500-2 sets a minimum lot area of 75 acres for all uses in the EFU zone, with no minimum lot width, depth, or street frontage. Setbacks under Table 500-3 run 12 feet from an abutting street, 12 feet interior front, 5 feet interior side (more for buildings over 35 feet), and 14 to 20 feet interior rear depending on building height. Table 500-4 then removes the two dimensional limits that most constrain farm construction elsewhere in the code: buildings and accessory structures of all uses carry "No Max." lot coverage, and structures used for agriculture, forestry, and livestock-keeping carry "No Max." height, while accessory structures to single family use are capped at 15 feet and all other uses at 35 feet. Development in the EFU zone must also meet the UDC's general standards for trees, wetlands, landslide hazards, and driveway approaches under SRC 500.015.