Submit Electronic Plans

Electronic application and plan review improves efficiency and reduces costs.

Getting Started for First-Time Users

See the Trade Permits page for the submission requirements and review process related to mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire permits.

Plan Preparation

Drawing file preparation

Make sure your drawings meet the following standards:

Each page of drawings/building plans should be in its own PDF file. Drawing sets must be uploaded as single page PDFs. This does not apply to documents.
Photos saved as PDFs will not be accepted.
Each page requires a 4" x 4" blank area in the upper right corner.
Each page must be in landscape orientation and the contents must be readable without the page being rotated.
Files must be unlocked and not be secured.
Files cannot contain digital signatures if such signature prevents combining the file with other files or prevents stamping the file. Engineers and architects should send files containing a computer-generated image of seal with a handwritten signature. Salem cannot accept files that cannot be combined as the final approved plans are combined into one file.
Filenames must follow the City's File Naming Guidelines.

Document file preparation

Review the applicable Drawings and Document checklist to learn what information is required for your permit.

Each supporting document should be saved in PDF format. Multi-page, portrait files are acceptable for documents.

All pages in the PDF must the contents must readable without the page being rotated.

Photos saved as PDFs will not be accepted.
Files must be unlocked and not be secured.
Files cannot contain digital signatures if such signature prevents combining the file with other files or prevents stamping the file. Engineers and architects should send files containing a computer-generated image of seal with a handwritten signature. Salem cannot accept files that cannot be combined as the final approved plans are combined into one file.
Filenames must follow the City's File Naming Guidelines.

Ready-build plans

When you submit ready-build plans downloaded from us for your permit, submit them to the documents folder following the guidelines above for documents. The required site plan should be uploaded to the drawings folder following the documents guidelines.

Drawings vs Documents

Drawings vs. Documents

Drawings are plan sheets, often prepared an architect, civil engineer, structural engineer, landscape architect, residential plans drafter or homeowner. All drawings should be uploaded to the “Drawings” folder for each project.

Remember! Drawing sets (architectural, civil, structural, landscape, etc.) must be uploaded as individual page PDF files. One plan page equals one PDF.

Documents are multi-page supplemental reports or calculations (structural or truss calculations, geotechnical reports, stormwater calculations, COMchecks, product specification sheets, etc.) and should always be uploaded into the “Documents” folder for each project. These files can be uploaded as one, multi-page PDF.

Files uploaded to the wrong folder will be rejected and deleted.

Submission and Approval Process

Application Submission

Complete and submit the applicable electronic permit application.
The application will be reviewed for accuracy, and you will be notified by email if additional information is required.

Plan Review Fees

Once the application is accepted, you will be notified by email to log into the PAC Portal to pay the review fees.

Drawing and Document Upload

Upload electronic drawings and documents through the ProjectDox Portal following our File Naming Standards.

Note: When you submit ready-build plans downloaded from us for your permit, submit them to the documents folder rather than the drawing folder. The required site plan should be uploaded to the drawings folder.

What to Expect During Plan Review

The plan review process starts one to two workdays after the plans are uploaded.
- Drawings and documents are not accepted by email.
- Plan review will not start until fees are paid.
All City departments review plans at the same time.
You will be notified by email if corrections or more information is needed.

Secondary Plans Upload and Response

You will receive your review comments from all departments at the same time.

You will be required to respond to each review comment.
Upload changed files.
Complete your ProjectDox task.

Plan and Permit Approval

Once plans have been approved, the final permit fees must be paid.

An email notification containing the final permit fees will be sent to the applicant.
You can pay the fees online through the PAC Portal or in person.

Once the fees have been paid, the permit will be issued, and the approved plans made available for download through the ProjectDox Portal.

Both drawings and documents will need to be downloaded and printed.
Approved plans must be readily available on the construction site.