If you want your property to be brought inside
city limits, you may be able to apply to annex your property.
Annexation is the process of including a piece of property within the boundaries of the city, making the property, those who live on it, and those who visit it, eligible for all City services, including available water and sewer services.
Eligibility
You can submit a petition for annexation, if your property is contiguous to the city limits and is inside the Urban Growth Boundary. This type of annexation is generally known as an owner-initiated annexation.
There are two types of owner-initiated annexations, voter-exempt and voter-approval annexations.
The following annexations are voter exempt:
- All property owners have signed a petition submitted to the City
- Failing septic systems or health hazards
- Made pursuant to annexation contracts effective prior to May 16, 2000
- Mandated by state law
All other annexations must be approved by Salem voters.
Apply for a voter-exempt annexation
You are encouraged to call Planning staff before starting the annexation process.
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Request a pre-application conference: City staff will explain the basic requirements of annexation during the
pre-application conference.
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Submit an annexation application: Submit your application and fees to the Permit Application Center. The voter-exempt annexation application packet outlines all of the material you must submit.
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Planning Commission review: If you are requesting a new Comprehensive Plan and/or zone designation:
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You must file additional information to address the criteria for a Comprehensive Plan change and/or zone change found in
Salem Revised Code (SRC) 260.045(b). You can find the additional requirements in this voter-exempt annexation packet.
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You must pay the fees with those changes.
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The
Salem Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to review the proposed zoning of the property and make a recommendation to the City Council.
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City Council decision: The
City Council will hold a public hearing to receive public testimony and comments regarding the proposed annexation. Following the public hearing, the
City Council will determine whether or not to approve the proposed annexation.
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Ordinance adoption: If the
City Council approves the proposed annexation, it will adopt an ordinance to annex the subject property inside the city limits and withdraw the subject property from special service districts.
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File annexation records with Secretary of State: The City will notify the State of the territory proposed for annexation. The effective date of the annexation is the date the City files the annexation records with the Secretary of State.
Voter exempt without land use changes
Voter exempt with land use changes
Apply for a voter-approval annexation
If your annexation requires voter approval, there are a few more steps in the annexation process.
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Request a pre-application conference: City staff will explain the basic requirements of annexation during the
pre-application conference.
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Submit an annexation application: Submit your application and fees to the Permit Application Center. The voter-approval annexation application packet outlines all of the material you must submit.
-
Planning Commission review: If you are requesting a new Comprehensive Plan and/or zone designation:
-
You must file additional information to address the criteria for a Comprehensive Plan change and/or zone change found in
SRC 260.045(b). You can find the additional requirements in this voter-exempt annexation packet.
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You must pay the fees with those changes.
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The Salem Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to review the proposed zoning of the property and make a recommendation to the
City Council.
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City Council decision: The
City Council will hold a public hearing to receive public testimony and comments regarding the proposed annexation. Following the public hearing, the
City Council will determine whether or not to refer the proposed annexation to the voters. If the Council refers the proposed annexation to the voters, the annexation is usually placed on the next available ballot; however the annexation may be delayed until the next primary or general election, which may cost less. This can be discussed with the Planning staff prior to submittal.
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Citywide election: An election will be held, and all voters within City limits may vote on the annexation.
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Ordinance adoption: If the voters approve the annexation, the
City Council will adopt an ordinance to annex the subject property inside the city limits and withdraw the subject property from special service districts.
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File annexation records with Secretary of State: The City will notify the State of the territory proposed for annexation. The effective date of the annexation is the date the City files the annexation records with the Secretary of State.
Voter approval without land use changes
Voter approval with land use changes
Get water and sewer service
In some cases, you can connect to City water and sewer services once you have filed for annexation and Planning staff has determined that your annexation application is complete. In other cases, you can connect to City water and sewer services after your annexation is effective. For more information, you can call the Public Works Department.
You are not required to connect to City water service after annexation, so you can continue to use your existing wells. Generally, you are only required to connect to City sewer service if your septic system is not functioning properly and a City sewer main is located near your property. For more information, you can call the Public Works Department.
City-initiated annexations
Each year, the City reviews its borders to identify areas appropriate for annexation to ensure the efficient delivery of urban services. State laws say that cities should be the providers of services to more densely developed land. The City proceeds with City-initiated annexations that are eligible based on state and local law, pursuant to City Council annexation goals.
The City has annexed enclaves, which are territories that are “completely surrounded by the corporate boundaries of the City of Salem, or by the corporate boundaries of the City of Salem and a river, stream, lake, or other body of water” (SRC 260.005). For enclave annexations that are zoned for and in residential use at the time of annexation, the effective date is automatically delayed three years unless the property is sold. If the property is sold, the annexation is effective immediately.
