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

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

Key Facts

Governing section
SRC 76.010, Obstructions
Approval required
Written permission from the Director
No-permit exception limit
Material within 8 feet of curbline, parking lanes only
Penalty class
Infraction under SRC 76.990
Covers
Arterial/collector streets, travel lanes, sidewalks

Summary

Salem bars placing structures, barricades, building material, or merchandise on arterial and collector streets, travel lanes, or sidewalks without first notifying the Director and getting written permission, and a violation is an infraction.

Sec. 76.010. - Obstructions. (a)Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, it shall be 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 parking vehicles, on any arterial or collector street, or in the travel lanes of local streets, or on sidewalks, without first notifying the Director and obtaining written permission.

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

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.

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. 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.

Violations & Fines

Violation of SRC 76.010 through 76.160, including the obstruction rule, is an infraction under SRC 76.990. Placing material in violation of the eight-foot curbline limit or without required Director notification and permission triggers that infraction exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I leave a dumpster on the street in front of my Salem house without a permit?
Only in narrow circumstances. SRC 76.010(a) generally requires written Director permission for any obstruction on arterial or collector streets, travel lanes, or sidewalks; the only permit-free option is placing building material in a local street's parking lane within eight feet of the curbline with barricading and lighting in place.
What conditions can Salem attach to a street obstruction permit?
Under SRC 76.010(b), the Director can set hours and duration of use, require barricading, temporary sidewalks and bike lanes, and lighting or marking needed to protect public safety and keep pedestrian and vehicle traffic moving around the obstruction.
Is dumping debris on a Salem sidewalk a separate violation from obstruction?
Yes. SRC 76.015 separately makes it unlawful to deposit mud, dirt, sand, gravel, leaves, or other debris on streets and sidewalks when it creates a traffic or pedestrian hazard, apart from the physical obstruction rule in SRC 76.010.

Sources & Official References

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