Salem, Oregon Building Permit Guide

Salem’s Permit Application Center is at 440 Church St SE, 5th Floor. It takes general questions Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., processes permits 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and takes plans 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; no appointment is necessary. Census Vintage 2025 estimates put Salem at 181,779 residents in 2025: 151,399 in the Marion County part and 30,380 in the Polk County part.

This guide covers the City of Salem’s Permit Application Center and the county offices around the city. Salem’s fee schedule was not checked for this guide, so ask Building and Safety.

What requires a building permit in Salem?

Trade permits for electrical, plumbing, mechanical or fire work on a residential project are separate from the building permit. Before applying, check the property for wetlands, flood hazard, landslide hazard or soil contamination, which could need state or federal permits.

Oregon’s building code and its exemptions are the same in Salem as everywhere in the state, and an exemption from the building permit is not an exemption from zoning, land use or a trade permit. Site snow, wind and seismic values come from the state’s Oregon Design Criteria Hub. How Oregon’s statewide code works

Salem building department: who handles permitting

For the part of Salem in Polk County, Polk County does not issue building permits: its Building Division lists the City of Salem among the cities it does not permit. Outside city limits, Marion County issues all permits in the unincorporated areas, and site plans for permits inside an urban growth boundary are coordinated with the city for addressing. The City of Salem, not Marion County, inspects work in the East Salem Sewer District.

How to get a building permit in Salem

An Oregon building permit expires if work does not start within 180 days of issue or stops for 180 days; the building official can extend it in writing, 180 days at a time. Oregon’s statewide code rules

Inspections in Salem

Inspections are requested through the Permit Application Center portal. A Salem permit must get its first inspection within 180 days of issue; each inspection request extends the permit another 180 days, and one 180-day extension is free.

Salem permit search and official resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Building in Salem
• Salem residential permits
• Marion County permit responsibility by city
• Polk County Building Division

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an appointment at Salem’s Permit Application Center?

No appointment is necessary. Plans intake runs Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Does Polk County issue permits in the Polk County part of Salem?

No. Polk County’s Building Division lists the City of Salem among the cities it does not permit.

How long does a Salem permit stay active?

180 days from issue to the first inspection; each inspection request adds another 180 days, and one 180-day extension is free.

Simplify Salem permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Screen the site for wetlands, flood, landslide or contamination issues
• Submit the residential project and separate trade permits in Salem’s portal
• Collect the contractor authorization and keep inspections inside the 180-day window

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Oregon. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Salem permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.