The City understands the importance of honoring loved ones who have passed away as a result of an incident and has an established Policy and Procedure for placing roadside memorials in the public right-of-way. If you wish to place a roadside memorial, an application must be submitted to the Public Works Department.

Temporary Roadside Memorials

Temporary memorials are intended to be in place for less than one year and do not require a permit. If a temporary memorial is placed for more than one year, the City may require removal or application for a long-term memorial.

Long-Term Roadside Memorials

Long-term memorials are City-approved and intended to remain in place for at least one year. Long-term memorials require a permit issued by the City. Long term memorials may be stone markers, roadway signs, or curbside metal buttons. Alternative memorials are reviewed upon request.

Apply for a Roadside Memorial

Step 1: Memorial Application

1. Submit a complete Roadside Memorial Application Form and all required attachments to Developmentservices@cityofsalem.net.

2. Pay the applicable fees through the Permit Application Center Portal. An application review fee is required in addition to installation fees for the roadside memorial. If the City is producing the memorial, additional fees will apply.

Step 2: Installation

After approval of a long-term memorial permit, the Public Works Department will install the roadside memorial.

• Stone marker memorials, metal button memorials, and alternative memorials are created and funded by the applicant. The City will install them.

• Roadway sign memorials are created and installed by the City, but the applicant is responsible for the costs.

   

Step 3: Maintain Memorial

The City of Salem does not maintain roadside memorials. All roadside memorials are maintained by the applicant. If the roadside memorial is not properly maintained, it may be removed by the City.

Step 4: Permit Renewal

Long-term memorial permits must be renewed every five years from date of installation. To renew a long-term memorial permit, submit a complete Roadside Memorial Renewal Form to developmentservices@cityofsalem.net.