What should Salem hosts know about short-term rentals are strictly prohibited?

Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in properties with an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).

Are there rental limits in Salem?

Accessory STRs are limited to 95 days per year if the host is not present.

What are the key requirements for Salem hosts?

The city-issued license number must be included on every online listing and advertisement.

What should Salem hosts know about rentals in multi-family buildings (3+?

Rentals in multi-family buildings (3+ units) are not permitted as STRs in Salem.

Salem

Strict

OregonUpdated Feb 12, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 12, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Salem requires annual licensing for all short-term rentals, distinguishing between Accessory STRs (primary residence) and standard STRs (often requiring a conditional use permit).

Restriction level

Severity 56

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Moderate night cap: 95 nights/year
Standard permit fee: $180
Permit required
Reporting required
Safety standards required
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

Hosts must obtain an annual license and register to pay a 9% city lodging tax. If you live in the property for at least 270 days a year, you can get an Accessory STR license; otherwise, you likely need a special land-use permit. Rentals are strictly prohibited in properties with Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limit95/year

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$180

Processing time30-45 days

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in properties with an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).
2Accessory STRs are limited to 95 days per year if the host is not present.
3The city-issued license number must be included on every online listing and advertisement.
4Rentals in multi-family buildings (3+ units) are not permitted as STRs in Salem.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Salem: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Salem: Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in properties with an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).

Requirements13 rules

Salem STR warning: Rentals in multi-family buildings (3+ units) are not permitted as STRs in Salem.

Application process9 rules

Salem STR permit - Step 4: Submit License Application. Submit the formal application including floor plans, insurance proof, and safety certification to the Permit Application Center. Required documents: Floor plan, Insurance certificate, Residency proof. Time: 2-4 weeks. Cost: 180.

Fees & costs1 rule

Salem charges a registration fee of $180 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Salem charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.09%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit the 9% TOT directly to the City of Salem.
Oregon has a state sales tax of 0.015% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Salem limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Salem: Accessory STRs are limited to 95 days per year if the host is not present.
Salem limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: Maximum 2 guests per guest room, with a cap of 10 total (excluding children under 12).
Salem enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.

Safety requirements1 rule

Salem requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Conformance with Housing Code (SRC Chapter 59), Safety certification signature upon application, Physical inspection after license issuance.

Penalties2 rules

Salem enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: $1000 fine. Third offense: Potential license revocation. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Salem: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Salem exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels and Motels, Hospital/Medical facility lodging.
Salem: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Salem: If you are present during the guest's stay (hosted rental), night caps may not apply to you.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Salem

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

Determine License Type

Determine if you qualify for an Accessory STR (live there 270+ days/year) or a standard STR (requires CUP in most residential zones).

1 dayFree

Official resource

Step 2

Register as a TOT Operator

Submit the Transient Occupancy Tax Operator Registration form to the Finance Department.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

TOT Registration Form

Official resource

Step 3

Obtain Conditional Use Permit (CUP)

If operating a non-primary STR in a residential zone, you must first obtain an approved CUP through the Planning Division.

2-3 monthsFree

Documents needed

Site Plan
Narrative of proposed use

Step 4

Submit License Application

Submit the formal application including floor plans, insurance proof, and safety certification to the Permit Application Center.

2-4 weeks$180

Documents needed

Floor plan
Insurance certificate
Residency proof

Official resource

Step 5

Complete Safety Inspection

Once the application is reviewed, the city will schedule a physical safety inspection of the unit to ensure housing code compliance.

1-2 weeksFree

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Salem

Strict

OregonUpdated Feb 12, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 12, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Salem requires annual licensing for all short-term rentals, distinguishing between Accessory STRs (primary residence) and standard STRs (often requiring a conditional use permit).

Restriction level

Severity 56

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Moderate night cap: 95 nights/year
Standard permit fee: $180
Permit required
Reporting required
Safety standards required
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limit95/year

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$180

Processing time30-45 days

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in properties with an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).
2Accessory STRs are limited to 95 days per year if the host is not present.
3The city-issued license number must be included on every online listing and advertisement.
4Rentals in multi-family buildings (3+ units) are not permitted as STRs in Salem.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Salem: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Salem: Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in properties with an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).

Requirements13 rules

Salem STR warning: Rentals in multi-family buildings (3+ units) are not permitted as STRs in Salem.

Application process9 rules

Salem STR permit - Step 4: Submit License Application. Submit the formal application including floor plans, insurance proof, and safety certification to the Permit Application Center. Required documents: Floor plan, Insurance certificate, Residency proof. Time: 2-4 weeks. Cost: 180.

Fees & costs1 rule

Salem charges a registration fee of $180 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Salem charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.09%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit the 9% TOT directly to the City of Salem.
Oregon has a state sales tax of 0.015% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Salem limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Salem: Accessory STRs are limited to 95 days per year if the host is not present.
Salem limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: Maximum 2 guests per guest room, with a cap of 10 total (excluding children under 12).
Salem enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.

Safety requirements1 rule

Salem requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Conformance with Housing Code (SRC Chapter 59), Safety certification signature upon application, Physical inspection after license issuance.

Penalties2 rules

Salem enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: $1000 fine. Third offense: Potential license revocation. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Salem: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Salem exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels and Motels, Hospital/Medical facility lodging.
Salem: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Salem: If you are present during the guest's stay (hosted rental), night caps may not apply to you.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Salem

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

Determine License Type

Determine if you qualify for an Accessory STR (live there 270+ days/year) or a standard STR (requires CUP in most residential zones).

1 dayFree

Official resource

Step 2

Register as a TOT Operator

Submit the Transient Occupancy Tax Operator Registration form to the Finance Department.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

TOT Registration Form

Official resource

Step 3

Obtain Conditional Use Permit (CUP)

If operating a non-primary STR in a residential zone, you must first obtain an approved CUP through the Planning Division.

2-3 monthsFree

Documents needed

Site Plan
Narrative of proposed use

Step 4

Submit License Application

Submit the formal application including floor plans, insurance proof, and safety certification to the Permit Application Center.

2-4 weeks$180

Documents needed

Floor plan
Insurance certificate
Residency proof

Official resource

Step 5

Complete Safety Inspection

Once the application is reviewed, the city will schedule a physical safety inspection of the unit to ensure housing code compliance.

1-2 weeksFree

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Determine License Type

Register as a TOT Operator

Obtain Conditional Use Permit (CUP)

Submit License Application

Complete Safety Inspection

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Salem?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Salem?

3Are there rental night limits in Salem?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Salem?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Determine License Type

Register as a TOT Operator

Obtain Conditional Use Permit (CUP)

Submit License Application

Complete Safety Inspection

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Salem?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Salem?

3Are there rental night limits in Salem?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Salem?

Disclaimer