The Community Planning and Development Department addresses our community's planning and development needs by streamlining services to support housing production and economic vitality in Salem.

The department includes functions related to planning, developing, and building within Salem as well as the City's economic development and urban renewal programs, compliance services and parking enforcement, federal entitlement and housing incentive programs, and affordable housing production and management under the Salem Housing Authority. 

Divisions and Functions

The Community Planning and Development Department provides a wide variety of services to assist residents in developing a dynamic and livable city.

Building and Safety: Construction Plans Review, Permitting, and Inspection

The Building and Safety Division under the direction of the Building Official operates the City of Salem’s Permit Application Center and is responsible for the consistent application of building codes in construction and remodeling including:

• Construction plans review
• Inspection services
• Permitting, including parking permits and business licenses.

In 2012, Salem’s Building and Safety Division became the first in the State of Oregon to achieve International Accreditation Service (IAS) Building Department accreditation. A subsidiary of the International Code Council, IAS provides an independent assessment and verification that the department is operating at the highest legal, ethical, and technical standards.

For more information about building in Salem contact us at baspac@cityofsalem.net.

Code Compliance: Public Safety through Prevention, and Code Compliance

The division focuses on the City Council goals related to quality of life, as well as public safety through prevention and code compliance.

Program areas include:

• Enforcing nuisance, housing, and property maintenance codes.
• Inspecting multifamily properties to insure building safety by the application of building, fire, and housing codes.
• Parking enforcement

For more information about compliance issues, contact complianceservices@cityofsalem.net.

Development Services: Infrastructure Planning, Permitting, and Connection

The Development Services Division provides vital expertise regarding availability, location, and coordination of City infrastructure for new development projects in Salem. The division offers a variety of programs and services, including but not limited to:

• Reviewing development plans for infrastructure needs and standards at all stages of design.
• Public Construction Permitting      
  • Utility Main Extensions
  • Fire Services
  • Street Construction and Improvements 
  • Major Facilities
• Infrastructure, grading/erosion control, franchise and right-of-way permitting for existing and proposed developments.
• Permitting repairs and connections to City water, sewer, stormwater, and streets (driveways and sidewalks).
• Facilitating work in City right-of-way requests for closure of sidewalks, alleys, lanes, and streets.
• Managing the floodplain program and floodplain development permit review.
• Coordinating development agreements, dedications and easements.
• Implementing the System Development Charges Methodology and imposition of development fees.

For more information, contact developmentservices@cityofsalem.net. 

Planning: Future Community Growth and Development

The Planning Division aims to enhance the quality of life for residents and to promote a livable, vibrant city by facilitating and implementing the community’s vision for Salem. The division does this through a variety of services, including:

• Reviewing development proposals and ushering customers through the land use process
• Conducting long-range projects to guide future growth and development patterns
• Promoting and protecting Salem’s historic resources
• Educating and engaging the community in planning projects and processes
• Acting as liaisons to the Salem Planning Commission, Historic Landmarks Commission, and Hearings Officer

For more information about planning, contact planning at planning@cityofsalem.net.

Urban Development: Economic Growth and Development 

Urban Development staff administers programs and services that promote awareness of economic and community development programs, services, and economic incentives offered by the City of Salem and Urban Renewal Agency (URA); leverages (URA)/City funds against available area sources for economic development activities; and works with economic development partners and the development community to actively promote investment in the Salem community.

In addition, the division:

• Invests in economic empowerment for individual prosperity and small business growth
• Issues commercial loan and grant programs
• Performs real property management, acquisition, sales, and leasing services for the City
• Manages downtown revitalization
• Provides loans and grants to finance activities that create emergency, transitional, and permanent affordable rental housing for low and moderate income families in Salem and Keizer
• Allocates funds to non-profits who provide emergency services to homeless and families at-risk of being homeless
• Functions as the liaison to:
  
  • Community organizations
  • Businesses
  • City Council
  • Agency Board appointed advisory groups

Boards and Commissions

• Urban Renewal Agency
• Downtown Advisory Board
• North Gateway Redevelopment Advisory Board
• West Salem Redevelopment Advisory Board

For more information, contact urbandev@cityofsalem.net.