We have endeavored to supply you with information about the various land use applications that the City of Salem Planning Division provides. If you need further information, please call 503-588-6173.
If you would like information on Zoning Plan Review or Site Plan Review, click here.
If you'd like to see the Zoning Code, click here. This will bring you to the Salem Revised Code. You will need to scroll down to the Zoning section.
If you like to see Zoning Maps, click here.
Application Procedures
As part of the Planning Division's goal to make the application process easier to understand, we will be creating a series of process/timeline documents for various planning-related land use applications. The following is a list of application procedure documents that are available at this time:
Here is a quick overview of some of our applications for your information:
A conditional use is an activity which is basically similar to other uses permitted in the district, but because of the manner in which such use may be conducted, or the manner in which land and buildings might be developed to accommodate such use, a public hearing and review of the specific proposed use and the imposition of certain conditions, if necessary, will adapt the use to its location and neighborhood. Standard process for a Conditional Use Application is contained in Salem Revised Code (SRC) Chapter 117. The conditional use procedure also applies to enlarging, expanding or altering an existing conditional use.
Annexation
The purpose is to provide property owners within the Urban Growth Boundary a process for annexing their property into the city limits.
The purpose is to address a single proceeding for amendment to the comprehensive plan map affecting less than five privately and separately owned tax lots or a minor plan amendment to the comprehensive plan map, with or without a concurrent minor plan amendment to a neighborhood plan map, initiated by petition pursuant to Salem Revised Code Section 64.100, and not affecting the Urban Growth Boundary.
The intent and purpose of historic design review is to provide a process to review, designate, and encourage the preservation of certain historic resources which merit official recognition, and to implement the policies contained in the Salem Area Comprehensive Plan and Statewide Planning Goals for the preservation of historic resources. No development permit may be issued which allows the alteration of the exterior of any historic resource, property pending nomination, or vacant property within a historic district, or for the construction of a building, structure, or object in a historic district, without first obtaining historic design approval
To partition means an act of dividing land into three (3) or fewer parcels within a calendar year. The development standards pertaining to partitions are contained in Salem Revised Code (SRC) Chapter 63 and are intended to provide for the orderly development of land within the City of Salem.
A Property Line Adjustment can be applied to adjust a common property line between two abutting units of land. Property Line Adjustments shall not be used to create an additional unit of land, and may not reduce an existing unit of land below the minimum size allowed under the Zoning Code. The standards pertaining to Property Line Adjustments are contained in Salem Revised Code (SRC) Chapter 63 Section 147.
The intent of Planned Unit Development (PUD) review is to provide a means whereby larger parcels of ground may be developed with more latitude as regards site development, common areas, and open space than is possible through traditional zoning controls with residential densities; to establish standards and controls necessary to assure the community of a well related, harmonious development; and to provide within existing zones the development of residential uses with increased amenities. Standard process pertaining to PUD is contained in Salem Revised Code (SRC) Chapter 121.
A Replat is required to consolidate or reconfigure lots or parcels and public utility easements within a recorded partition or subdivision plat.
A subdivision of land means to divide land into four (4) or more lots. The development standards pertaining to Subdivisions are contained in Salem Revised Code (SRC) Chapter 63 and are intended to provide for the orderly development of land within the City of Salem.
The purpose of this process is to assure a development provides the major public facilities (such as major sewers, water and streets) in a manner that conforms with the Salem Urban Growth Management Program. Please note the specific site design for the property is NOT included as the subject of this particular review process. Any site design review which may be required for development will be handled in a separate review process. Standard process pertaining to Urban Growth Development Permit is contained in Salem Revised Code (SRC) Chapter 66, Section 060.
Each area of land is, to some degree, unique as to its suitability for and constraints on development. Development standards imposed under this zoning code cannot foresee all conceivable situations peculiar to the development of every property at every moment, but are designed as general standards applicable to most situations. It is the intent of variances to provide flexibility, adaptability, and reasonableness in the application and administration of the zoning code where special conditions exist. The standards pertaining to Variance are contained in Salem Revised Code (SRC) Chapter 115. No variance purporting to authorize a use not otherwise permitted for the subject property shall be granted.
Greenway Development Permit review is to ensure that all proposed changes to a site are consistent with the Greenway Plan, the Willamette Greenway Riparian Buffer Enhancement Guide, all other applicable standards of Salem Revised Code (SRC) Chapter 141, and where applicable stormwater runoff water quality standards adopted and administered by the City of Salem Public Works Department. To insure that the proposed intensification, development, or change of use complies with the Greenway Plan and the purposes set forth in SRC 141.010, additional conditions may be imposed to preserve and enhance the natural, scenic, historic, and recreational qualities of the Willamette River Greenway.
Zoning regulates the use of land by classifying land uses that are compatible with one another. The purpose of this application is to change the Zoning of a property. Please be aware that a Zone Change application could require a concurrent Comprehensive Plan Map Change and/or Neighborhood Plan Map Change. Standard process pertaining to Zone Change is found in Salem Revised Code (SRC) Chapter 113.
The Zoning Ordinance includes provisions for the Planning Administrator to grant limited deviations to most zoning code standards provided that certain findings are made. Zoning adjustments are used to allow reasonable and economically practical development where special conditions exist that hinders or prevents the strict application of zoning code standards