Fence Installation Permits in Salem

Local Rule

City of Salem Building and Safety Division; City of Salem

Salem's own Guidelines Regarding Work Exempt from Permit confirm chain-link fences without slats may reach 8 feet without a building permit; wood and other standard residential fences are commonly cited as exempt up to 7 feet, matching the Oregon state baseline, though the exact wood-fence cutoff was not independently located in the exact wording of the city's guidelines. Zoning allows 8 feet along interior rear and side property lines that do not border a street, and 6 feet along rear and side property lines that do border a street; even a permit-exempt fence must still conform to zoning height, placement, and vision-clearance requirements under SRC Chapter 805. Confirm the exact building-permit threshold with the Salem PAC (503-588-6256) before relying on it.

Source · Verified September 2026

Salem Building Department

Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.

How This Compares to Marion County

Salem's own rule is shown above (No permit under 7 sqft). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:

Marion County Building Inspection (unincorporated areas)

The Oregon Structural Specialty Code exempts fences under 7 feet from a structural building permit in unincorporated Marion County, regardless of construction material, except for pool barriers. Separately from the permit exemption, the county's own zoning code limits fences within 10 feet of a street-facing property line to 48 inches, while fences elsewhere on the lot may reach up to 8 feet.

See the full county page

Nearby Cities with Verified Rules

Other cities near Salem with a confirmed fence installation rule:

FAQs

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