Where can I purchase a city decal?
You can purchase a decal at the Treasurer's office, located on the ground floor of City Hall
114 N. Broad Street.
Phone (540)375-3024
Office Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Monday - Friday
When should I purchase a city decal for my new vehicle?
You have thirty (30) days from the date you purchase the vehicle or move into Salem to pay the decal fee and display the current decal.
Do I need to bring anything with me to purchase the decal?
Yes. Bring your State Vehicle Registration to the office of the Commissioner of the Revenue, located across the hall from the Treasurer's office, to file your vehicle for personal property tax and decal registration.
How long is the city decal valid?
The decal for the new year will be on sale by May1. Your decal is valid from the date of purchase to May 31 of the following year. May 31 of each calendar year is the deadline for displaying city decals.
I owe personal property tax on more that one vehicle. Do I have to pay the tax on all of them before I can purchase a city decal?
Yes. City Code Section 82-5 requires that all personal property taxes be paid prior to your purchasing a decal.
I have sold my vehicle. Can I get a refund for my decal?
No. City Code does not provide for a refund; however, you may transfer your decal to another vehicle for $2.00 with the return of the old decal.
I purchased a new vehicle and transferred my state tags to the new vehicle. Can I transfer the city decal also?
Yes. If you sell, trade, or dispose of a vehicle that has a current decal, you may scrape off the decal and trade it in for a new one. A new decal will be issued for $2.00, provided there are no outstanding personal property taxes due.
If my decal is lost or stolen, how can I get a new one?
File a report with the Salem Police Department, who will issue you a report. Take the at report with you to the Treasurer's office and they will issue you a duplicate decal for $2.00.
I already have a valid decal from another Virginia locality. Do I need to obtain a Salem decal?
Yes. If you have a current decal from another Virginia locality and it does not expire before May 31, you may turn that decal in for a free decal at the Treasurer's office after filing your vehicle with the office of the Commissioner of the Revenue and paying any personal property taxes due. If the former jurisdiction's decal expires before May 31, you must purchase a Salem decal.
If I dispose of my vehicle, do I need to notify both the Department of Motor Vehicles and the City?
Yes. You must report changes in the ownership of tangible personal property to the office of the Commissioner of the Revenue as well as the Department of Motor Vehicles.
I am an active duty military person and Virginia is my home of record. Will I owe personal property tax?
Yes. Non-Virginia resident military personnel are exempt from personal property if the personal property is titled solely in the name of the service person. Personal property registered jointly with a nonmilitary member is taxable to the jurisdiction where it is located.
I am an active duty military person. Do I need to display a city decal?
Yes. If you are an active duty member of the military, reside in Salem, claim a state other than Virginia as your state of residence, and your vehicle is registered in your name only, you qualify for a free decal. Present a current Leave and Earning Statement(LES) at the time of registration.
