Department of Planning & Development

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I'm starting my own business and would like to operate it from my home. Is that permissible? Are there any special permits required or regulations for home-based businesses? How do I get a home occupation permit?

A. The City of Salem allows certain businesses and occupations to be conducted in a residential dwelling provided the use is clearly incidental or secondary to the use of the home as a residence. The character and scale of the business activity must be clearly minor and meet the following regulations: home occupation standards. Some examples of permitted home occupations are small family childcare home; beauty shop/barber shop; tutoring; office for contracting business, cleaning service, consulting business, computer design service, lawn care business; and sales business.

The procedure for obtaining a home occupation permit is as follows: contact the office of Building Inspections and Zoning for a Home Occupation Permit Application. Submit the completed application to the Building Inspections & Zoning office. Upon receipt of a complete application, the Zoning Administrator will review the application for compliance with the regulations. A minimum of 7 business days is required to process your application, and you will be contacted with an approval or denial. If approved, contact the office of the Commissioner of the Revenue to apply for a business license. Businesses who will use a trade name must also register that name with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

If you are denied, the Administrator will notify you of the changes necessary to achieve compliance with the provisions. If you disagree with the opinion of the Administrator, you may appeal the decision to the City of Salem Planning Commission. You will be required to file for a "Special Exception Permit". Fees will apply, so please refer to the fee schedule.

All home occupations are subject to a $25 home occupation permit fee and will be renewed at the same time as your business license renewal. Renewals will be automatic subject to payment of the $25 fee, business license renewal, and no complaints or violations of the regulations have occurred during the previous year.

Q. What is my property zoned? What is a particular property zoned?

A. You can look up most properties on the City of Salem online property search. Simply go to the City of Salem home page and click on ‘Property Search’. Once you have searched for and found the property, scroll down in the "Parcel Detail" window to find the zoning. (Please note, the property search page will not work as a bookmark/favorite - you must click through the home page each time.) You may also email or call the Department of Planning and Development at 375-3007 or email or call the Building Inspections & Zoning department at 375-3036 for zoning questions.

Q. How do I rezone my property?

A. Begin by downloading the form entitled Rezoning Procedure & Application from the Planning and Development website, or visit the office at 114 N. Broad St, Salem. Follow the instructions on the form and submit it to the Planning Department no later than the third Friday of the month prior to the month that the petitioner wants to appear before the Planning Commission (regularly scheduled Commission meeting of that month). Fees will apply, so please refer to the fee schedule. Detailed information can be found in the City Code (Chapter 106).

Q. How do I obtain a ‘special exception’ or ‘use not provided for’ permit?

A. Begin by downloading the form entitled “Special Exception Procedure & Application” from the Planning and Development website, or visit the office at 114 N. Broad St, Salem. Follow the instructions on the form and submit it to the Planning Department no later than the third Friday of the month prior to the month that the petitioner wants to appear before the Planning Commission (regularly scheduled Commission meeting of that month). Fees will apply, so please refer to the fee schedule. Detailed information can be found in the City Code (Chapter 106).

Q. How do I get a street address?

A. Email or call the Building Inspections & Zoning department at 375-3036 to request a street address.

Q. Can I do X in zone Y?

A. For specific uses in each zone, please refer to the Zoning Ordinance (City Code Chapter 106), or email or call the Planning Department (375-3007) or Building Inspections & Zoning (375-3036).

Q. Where do I get a survey plat for my property?

A. Plats are originally drawn by surveyors who provide a copy to the purchaser at the real estate closing for a property. If a survey was completed prior to a real estate sale, a survey plat may be attached to the deed for property located in the City of Salem and should be available in the records room of the Clerk of the Circuit Court located at 2 E. Calhoun St. In some cases, the Real Estate department may have a copy of the plat.

Q. How do I subdivide my property?

A. For a detailed description of land subdivision, see the City Code beginning with Sec. 78-400 "Submission of Plat and Plans to Agent". You may also email or call the Department of Planning and Development at 375-3007 or email or call the Engineering Department at 375-3032 for subdivision questions. Fees will apply, so please refer to the fee schedule.

Q. I want to build an addition on my property. How close to the property line can I construct the addition?

A. For questions regarding setbacks for yards, buildings, decks, sheds and the like, consult the City of Salem Zoning Ordinance (City Code Chapter 106), or contact the Building Inspections & Zoning Department by email or call 375-3036.

Q. Where can I find your schedule of fees?

A. For a schedule of fees, click here. Or you may call the appropriate department, or call the City of Salem general information at 375-3000.

Q. How do I get a zoning variance?

A. If informed by the Building Inspections & Zoning Department or other City department that you may not build due to a conflict with the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 106), you may apply for a variance through the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA). The application form is available for download here. Fees may apply.

Q. Is my property or property I’m interested in purchasing located in a flood plain?

While FEMA publishes the authoritative maps of flood hazards, The Engineering Department of the City of Salem has added the data to the online property search. Go to the City of Salem home page, click on "Property Search" and once you find your property, select the "Floodzones" check box in the "Layers" window. For further information, contact the Engineering Department via email or call 375-3032 or email or call the Planning & Development Department at 375-3007.