City-Wide Parking Enforcement                                                      

The Parking Services Division shares City-wide parking enforcement with the Salem Police Department. Parking Services responds to violations between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. weekdays and the Police Department responds after hours.

Downtown Parking Enforcement                             

Parking Services operates a highly visible enforcement program downtown. In addition to enforcing parking violations, Enforcement Officers enhance public safety through the use of crime prevention tactics and partnerships with businesses and the Salem Police Department.

The Downtown Parking District offers over 4,000 free customer parking spaces.  Employees are prohibited from using these free spaces between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. every day of the year except Christmas Day.  Downtown Parking District Map

On-Street Parking Policy Guidelines                       

On-street parking in Downtown Salem is managed through the use of various control devices including parking meters, signs and where appropriate no controls at all. In some areas, which have mixed uses, a combination of parking control devices may be appropriate. The intent of the following parking policies is to provide the rationale behind the use of various parking controls.  Parking controls are necessary to assure that the on-street parking supply is used in a manner consistent with the need for downtown businesses and the demand for parking they require. For example, retail and commercial areas typically have many customers visiting for short periods of time. This means that the curbside parking near retail businesses should not be occupied by all day parkers; "turnover" of these parking spaces is needed to provide parking for numerous users throughout the day. 

Prior to any parking controls being placed on the street, a study is conducted to determine which control will have the greatest benefit given the present use and the expected utilization of the parking space present. At locations where safety (vehicular or pedestrian) may be compromised, parking will not be allowed. Examples of this include near street intersections, driveways or where obstructions block the view of motorists or pedestrians.

Downtown Business Areas                                                           

Parking meters and two-hour parking signs are the type of parking controls most often used in the Downtown core. The duration (number of hours one is permitted to be parked) at parking spaces depends on the type of retail or business use; smaller, quick-stop loading and unloading zones for stores require more turnover and therefore shorter term parking signs (example: 30 minutes). Larger stores or restaurants where customers spend more time require longer duration signs (example: two hour). Parking signs used in the downtown core have the benefit of discouraging all-day parkers and encouraging rapid turnover of parking spaces. Retail areas within Downtown Salem core benefit from the use of time-limited parking signs.  

Parking Permits                                                                              

Daily Parking Permits are sold at the Parking Services Office at 340 Chemeketa St NE. Monthly, carpool, and residential parking permits are also sold at our office, to obtain information for current rates and Permit Policies please call (503) 589-2075 or e-mail us at parkingservices@cityofsalem.net . You may check daily and monthly permit fees by clicking on Parking Permits.

Special Event Parking Coordination                                                

The Parking Services Division works with special event promoters and downtown businesses in an effort to balance the parking needs of both customers and spectators. Towards that end, the Division works with the City's Traffic Engineering Division to route and direct traffic to the most convenient parking available.

Parking Meter Maintenance and Repair                                          

Parking Fines                                                                                      

If you have a question about paying or contesting a parking ticket, please contact our office using the information at the top of the page or go to the page: How do I pay/contest a parking ticket? for more information.  For the actual language of the City Code regarding the above enforcement sections, please refer to the following link: Parking Chapter 102.

You can report a parking violation or safety concern by calling the Parking Services Office at (503) 588-6133, or online using the Online Report Form or visit Parking Services Contact Information.

Abandoned and Junk Vehicle Abatement                                          

It is unlawful to park a Junk vehicle on a City street at any time, or to park any vehicle on a City street in the same location for more than five consecutive days.  Contact Compliance Services to report an abandoned or junk vehicle: 503.588.6421.