Salem building department

The City of Salem Building and Safety Division runs the Permit Application Center (PAC), which handles building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, sign, and related permits inside Salem city limits. Property outside the city limits is permitted by its county, and a Salem mailing address does not guarantee city jurisdiction.

Where the Permit Application Center is now

Salem’s Civic Center at 555 Liberty Street SE, the PAC’s usual home in Room 320, is being seismically retrofitted. While that work continues, the city’s Customer Service Center and Permit Application Center operate from the Parkway location at 440 Church Street SE, 5th Floor. The city expects to move back into the renovated Civic Center in early 2027. Published PAC hours:

Service	Hours (Monday–Friday)
General questions	8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Permit and license processing	8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Plans intake	9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Contact the PAC at 503-588-6256 or [email protected].

Applying through the PAC Portal

Most building permit applications can be submitted online through the PAC Portal. After registering, you get a permit number right away, pay the application fee, and upload documents for plan review. The portal login is the same one used for Salem Parks & Recreation and Compliance Services sites. Permit types you can apply for online include:

• New construction, additions, alterations, and interior alterations
• Re-roofs, solar arrays, seismic retrofits, and demolitions
• Residential permits, including manufactured homes
• Electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire system, tent/canopy, and sign permits

Every application carries a non-refundable application and processing fee. Many permit fees are based on valuation, meaning the total value of all construction work including contractor profit. For residential projects, a plan check fee based on the value of work is due at submittal, and plan review does not start until it is paid. The City Council adopts fees each fiscal year; current figures are in the city’s fee schedule.

When a permit is required

Salem’s residential permit guidance lists new construction, additions, fireplace installs, structural changes, in-ground pools, and electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work. It also lists seismic upgrades, dry-rot and foundation repair, re-roofing, siding and window replacement, retaining walls, grading, and concrete slabs and driveways. Salem’s work exempt from permit guidelines set these limits:

Project	Exempt from a building permit when…
Shed, playhouse, tool shed	No vehicle storage or residential occupancy, under 200 sq ft, and under 10 ft tall
Fence (not a pool barrier)	Wood, wire mesh, or chain link under 7 ft; chain link without slats up to 8 ft
Deck or porch	Floor no more than 30 in. above grade at any point within 3 ft horizontally
Retaining wall	Under 4 ft and not supporting a building or retaining soil that could affect one (a local code adoption)

Interior cosmetic work such as flooring, paint, trim, countertops, and cabinets is also exempt, as are playground equipment, gutters, and door or window replacements that don’t change the structure. Salem notes that an exempt building scope does not automatically exempt the electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work. Fences, sheds, and other accessory structures still have to meet zoning setbacks.

Pre-approved accessory structure plans

Salem publishes pre-approved plans for garages (including 24’ x 24’ x 10’ and 24’ x 36’ x 10’), garage/storage combinations, carports, decks, patio covers, and pole buildings. Ready-build plans are also offered for accessory dwelling units. The process works like this:

1. Talk to a planner about setbacks, height, and lot coverage.
2. Download the plan.
3. Submit a residential permit application and pay plan review fees.
4. Once the plans are approved, pay the permit fees.

See the ADU permit guide for general background.

Inspections

Inspections are available Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except holidays.

• Online: Request inspections through the PAC Portal, including final electrical, mechanical, and plumbing inspections.
• Phone line: For non-final inspections where all reviews are complete, call 503-540-2451. Leave your name, phone number, permit number, job site address, and the inspection needed.
• Final building inspections: Call the PAC at 503-588-6256 during business hours.
• Same-day cutoff: Requests left before 5 a.m. can be inspected the same day. Online requests and calls after 5 a.m. are scheduled for the next day unless you ask for a later date.

Certificates of occupancy and records

A building that requires a certificate of occupancy can’t be used or occupied until the Building Official issues one. A temporary certificate may allow a safe portion of a project to be occupied for a limited time while the rest is finished. Salem’s online permit search covers building, trade, land use, and other records issued after July 1, 2005, including status and inspection results.