Salem Code of Ordinances ch. 15 § 15-2
Definitions
Operative Text
Booking agent. Any person or entity that facilitates reservations or collects payment for a short-term rental on behalf of or for an operator. Director. Director of the inspectional services department or a designee. Home share unit. An entire residential unit offered as a short-term rental that is the operator's primary residence. ISD. City of Salem Inspectional Services Department. Limited share unit. A residential unit that is the operator's primary residence, a portion of which is offered as a short-term rental while the operator is present. Occupancy shall be limited to three bedrooms including the bedroom of the operator in a limited share unit. Non-owner occupied unit. An entire residential unit where the operator or owner does not live in either the unit or the building and it is not the operator's primary residence. Operator. A natural person who is either the owner or the lawful tenant of the residential unit that they seek to offer as a short-term rental. Only one owner or one tenant may be registered as an operator for a residential unit, and it shall be unlawful for any other person, even if that person is an owner or a lawful tenant and meets the qualifications of primary resident, to offer a residential unit for short-term residential rental. Owner-adjacent unit. An entire residential unit offered as a short-term rental that is not the owner's primary residence but that is located within the same dwelling or is otherwise within the same property as the primary residence of, and is owned by, said owner. Primary residence. The residential unit where the operator has established permanent residency. Permanent residency may only be established by a natural person or persons and not by LLCs, corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, or other similar entities. Proof of permanent residency shall be established by showing that as of the date of registration of the residential unit, the operator has resided in the residential unit for six of the past 12 months, as demonstrated by the following: voter registration, motor vehicle registration, lease, driver's license/other state-issued identification, or other credible evidence of permanent residency. Operators who have lived in the residential unit for less than six months prior to the date of registration assert permanent residency status based upon the above documentation, may be given authorization to register the unit only as the discretion of the Director of Inspectional Services. Residential unit. A residential unit is a dwelling unit as defined in the zoning ordinance but excludes the following: a congregate living complex; elderly housing; a group residence; a homeless shelter; temporary dwelling structure; and transitional housing. Short-term rental(s). The use of a residential unit for residential occupancy by a person or persons for a period of fewer than 30 consecutive calendar days for a fee. A short-term rental may or may not be facilitated through a booking agent.
Salem Code of Ordinances ch. 15 § 15-2 establishes the foundational vocabulary that governs the city's short-term rental framework. It distinguishes between different unit types—home share, limited share, owner-adjacent, and non-owner occupied—based on whether the operator lives in the unit or building and how much of the space is offered to guests. The provision also defines who qualifies as an "operator," restricting that role to a single natural person who is either the owner or lawful tenant, and sets out what counts as a "primary residence," including a six-month occupancy requirement backed by documentary proof.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Salem Code of Ordinances ch. 15 § 15-2 generally ensure that only one natural person is registered as the operator for any given residential unit, since the ordinance prohibits any additional owner or tenant from independently offering the same unit as a short-term rental. Compliant operators typically maintain documentation—such as a driver's license, voter registration, or motor vehicle registration—that demonstrates six months of residency in the unit within the past year before registering. Owners whose unit falls into a specific category (home share, limited share, owner-adjacent, or non-owner occupied) generally confirm which classification applies to their situation, since each carries distinct operational conditions under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants who are considering acting as an operator under Salem Code of Ordinances ch. 15 § 15-2 should be aware that the ordinance recognizes a lawful tenant as a potentially eligible operator, but only one person per unit may hold that registration. The provision's definition of "primary residence" requires documented proof of six months of occupancy, and tenants who have lived in the unit for less than that period may seek authorization only at the Director of Inspectional Services' discretion. Tenants with questions about whether their lease arrangement or residency status qualifies under this section may find it useful to consult a tenant-rights organization or review guidance published by the City of Salem Inspectional Services Department.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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