Salem, OR Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Salem Revised Code section 76.010 makes it unlawful for any person to place, park, leave, deposit, or maintain any structure, barricade, or other obstruction, such as building material or merchandise, other than lawfully parked vehicles, on any arterial or collector street, in the travel lanes of local streets, or on sidewalks, without first notifying the Director and obtaining written permission. Once permission is sought, the Director may impose reasonable conditions on the obstruction, including hours of use, duration, barricading, provision of temporary sidewalks and bike lanes, and lighting or marking needed to protect public safety and keep vehicular and pedestrian traffic moving around the obstruction.

Section 76.010(c) carves out a narrow exception: no permission is required to place building material in the parking lanes of local streets, provided appropriate barricading and lighting protect public safety, the material is placed consistent with the erosion and debris rules of SRC 75.090, the street is cleaned after removal, and the material never extends more than eight feet from the curbline; the Director may grant extensions of time on request. Related sidewalk obstruction rules sit nearby: section 76.015 separately bars depositing mud, dirt, sand, gravel, leaves, or other debris on streets and sidewalks where it creates a traffic or pedestrian hazard, and section 76.020 bars vending stands or mobile sales devices on public streets and sidewalks unless the vendor holds the required peddler or street vendor license. Together these sections keep both fixed obstructions and general debris off the public right-of-way absent City authorization.