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

Salem Revised Code 500.001 says the Exclusive Farm Use zone implements the farming and resource management designation of the Salem Area Comprehensive Plan and allows the practice of agricultural and forestry uses. Section 500.010 then sets the development standards, and each one is built around large working parcels.

Lot standards. Table 500-2 requires a minimum lot area of 75 acres for all uses. Lot width, lot depth and street frontage carry no minimum, so a long, narrow or interior parcel is not disqualified on shape alone.

Setbacks. Table 500-3 sets a 12 foot minimum from an abutting street and a 12 foot minimum on an interior front line for buildings of every use. Interior side setbacks are 5 feet for buildings not more than 35 feet tall. A taller building adds 1 foot for each 1 foot of height over 35 feet, but the added depth need not exceed 20 feet. Interior rear setbacks are 14 feet for any portion of a building up to 15 feet in height and 20 feet for any portion above 15 feet. Accessory structures to a single family dwelling get relief: no abutting street setback if the structure is not more than 4 feet tall, 12 feet if it is taller, no interior side setback where a wall is an integral part of a fence, and no rear setback up to 9 feet in height, then 1 foot for each 1 foot over 9 feet.

Coverage and height. Table 500-4 sets no maximum lot coverage for buildings and accessory structures. Buildings and structures for agriculture, forestry, and keeping of livestock and other animals have no maximum height, and neither do their accessory structures. All other buildings are capped at 35 feet, and an accessory structure to a single family dwelling is capped at 15 feet.

Uses. Table 500-1 in section 500.005 lists agriculture, forestry and keeping of livestock and other animals as permitted (P). A single family detached dwelling or a manufactured dwelling is a conditional use (C) only in conjunction with agriculture or keeping of livestock, and all other single family is prohibited (N). Two family, multiple family, home occupations and agriculture and forestry services are prohibited, and retail sales are conditional only for products produced on the property.

Other chapters. Section 500.015 adds that EFU development must also meet the Salem Revised Code chapters on trees and shrubs (86), wireless facilities (703), general development standards (800), public improvements (802), streets (803), driveways (804), vision clearance (805), parking (806), landscaping (807), tree preservation (808), wetlands (809), landslide hazards (810) and signs (900).