Types of Permits

Jurisdiction of the Development Services Section is generally limited to the Public Works aspects of private development. Responsibility of development review and permitting within city limits is summarized as follows:

City-maintained Facilities

• Public and private streets (including sidewalks and alleys)
• Public water, sewer, and storm facilities
• Fire services and hydrants
• Traffic signals

Private On-site Development (Building Plans)

• Water Meters
• Building sewer and storm drain
• Driveway access
• Detention facilities
• Systems development charges
• Development (including fill) within FEMA-regulated flood areas

Other Development

• Excavation and fill within rights-of-way, easements, and waterways
• Franchise utilities (telephone, electrical, cable, gas, etc.)

The City also provides water and/or sewer service to areas outside city limits under the authority of an intergovernmental agreement. In these areas, the City’s jurisdiction is clearly described by and limited to the terms of the agreement. Agreements currently in place outside city limits:

Types of Permits

For most projects, PWDS staff will inform the developer’s representatives about all Public Works permit requirements throughout the development process. Construction standards for permitted activities are generally found in the Design Standards or Standard Construction Specifications.

Choose one of the following links for more information regarding individual permit types:

• Building Sanitary Sewer
• Building Storm Sewer  
• Grading Activities
• Immediate Inspection
• Lane Closure
• Public Construction  
• Street Opening Licenses
• Street Permit
• Water Meters

Building Sanitary Sewer

Building sanitary sewers include a building’s sewer discharge system from outside the building envelope to the point of discharge to the municipal system. Maintenance of building sewers is the responsibility of the property owner. Permits and inspections are required from PWDS for installation or repair of the building sewer as regulated under the Uniform Plumbing Code. The sewer system within the building envelope is regulated by the Building and Safety Division.

If a building sewer needs repair, PWDS have retained as-built drawings of most building sewers within Salem, so a drawing of the existing sewer system may be available to help a contractor or property owner more easily locate the underground piping. Sanitary sewer and storm drain service lines extend from the building to the public main. Any construction or repair on these systems is the responsibility of the property owner and requires a permit and inspection from the Public Works Department.

If the street must be cut in order to install a service line, a street opening permit is required, and the construction work may be performed only by a licensed contractor with a current City Street/Easement Opening Blanket Bond (SRC Chapter 81).

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Building Storm Sewer

Building storm sewers include a building’s storm drainage system from outside the building envelope to the point of discharge to the municipal system. Maintenance of building storm sewers is the responsibility of the property owner. Permits and inspections are required from PWDS for installation or repair of the building storm sewer as regulated under the Uniform Plumbing Code. The storm system within the building envelope is regulated by the Building and Safety Division. Any construction or repair on these systems is the responsibility of the property owner and requires a permit and inspection from the Public Works Department.

If the street must be cut in order to install a service line, a street opening permit is generally required, and the construction work may be performed only by a licensed contractor with a current City Street/Easement Opening Blanket Bond (SRC Chapter 81).

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Grading Activities

Permits for grading activities include:

• Erosion Control Permit
• Excavation/Fill Permit
• Floodplain Development

Erosion Control

Ground-disturbing activities over 2,000 square feet generally require erosion control permits as regulated under SRC Chapter 75. The City coordinates its erosion control program with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s 1200 permitting program.

Projects disturbing over 10,000 square feet require an erosion and sedimentation control plan prepared by a qualified professional. All projects are required to implement and maintain erosion control measures throughout the duration of the project in compliance with the City’s Technical Guidance Manual. Erosion control plans are generally submitted as a separate sheet within a project’s construction plans and do not require a separate submittal process. Prior to commencing ground disturbing activities, contact PWDS staff for more information regarding erosion control permits.

Back to Grading Activities

Excavation/Fill

All excavation or fill within the public right-of-way, regulatory floodplain, or public easement requires an excavation/fill permit and/or prior approval from the Public Works Department (SRC Chapter 65). Excavation/fill plans are generally required to be submitted as a separate plan set to PWDS staff.

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Floodplain Development

A floodplain development permit is required before construction, development, or change of use begins within any floodplain or area of special flood hazard as regulated under SRC Chapter 140. Floodplain development permits are generally issued in conjunction with building permits or other construction permits associated with the project. For more information on Floodplain Development permits, click here.

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Immediate Inspections

Generally, inspection requests received before 7:30 a.m. can be scheduled the same day. Specific time requests cannot be guaranteed, but are accommodated if possible. After 7:30 a.m., same-day (immediate) inspections are available for an additional fee if requested before 2:30 p.m. Once an immediate inspection request is received, an inspector will be on site within two hours. Immediate inspection can be prepaid in bulk quantities for the contractor’s convenience. Please contact PWDS staff for more information.

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Lane Closure

Any person who intends to close any street, lane, alley, or sidewalk in the City of Salem for construction purposes is required to obtain an approved permit from the Public Works Department Transportation Services Division. A completed permit, permit fee, and a drawing clearly detailing the planned

traffic control (signs to be used and their placement, cones, detour routes, etc.) shall be submitted for approval a minimum of 48 hours in advance of the planned closure. Proposed closure of a collector or arterial street requires a two-week notification prior to the planned closure. To view additional Lane Closure information, click here.

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Public Construction

Public construction permits are required for improvements or modifications to the City's municipal water, sewer, storm, or street systems as regulated under SRC Chapter 77. The process for obtaining a public construction permit is described in the Commercial Development and Subdivision Construction pages.

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Street Opening License

If the street must be cut in order to install a service line, a street opening permit is required, and the construction work may be performed only by a licensed contractor with a current City Street/Easement Opening Blanket Bond (SRC Chapter 81). In the future you will be able to view the current Bonded contractors with the City of Salem.

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Street Permit

• Driveway Construction
• Sidewalk Construction

Driveway Construction

All repair, construction, or closure of driveways within the public right-of-way requires a permit and inspection from PWDS. Driveways are reviewed for width, proximity to adjacent streets or driveways, slope, material, and drainage. Additional restrictions may apply for driveways on major streets (SRC Chapter 80).

Back to Street Permit

Sidewalk Construction

All sidewalk construction or repair within the public right-of-way requires a sidewalk permit and inspection from PWDS. Sidewalks are typically located along the edge of right-of-way, with a landscape area between the sidewalk and curb. Sidewalk location may depend on the location of utilities or other sidewalks on adjacent properties (SRC Chapter 78).

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Water Meters

The Public Works Department is responsible for maintenance of the public water system up to and including the water meter at your property. If you have an existing water meter, all billing questions can be answered by Customer Service at 503-588-6099. The water lines from the meter to any buildings or irrigation systems are considering "plumbing" and are regulated by Building and Safety at 503-588-6256.

If you need a new connection to the public water system, the Public Works Department has maps showing the public water mains near your property.

New water meters are installed by Public Works staff at the property owner's expense. New water meters are subject to Systems Development Charges and, in addition, property owner may be required to pay connection fees, assessments, or other related charges. Contact PWDS for more information.

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