Salem Code of Ordinances ch. 15 § 15-8
Complaint process; violations
Operative Text
Complaints shall be made to the police, fire, health and/or inspectional services department and investigation shall commence within 30 days. Violations may, at the enforcement official's discretion, result in a warning or an ordinance ticket and the maximum appropriate fine. Three or more such tickets within a six month period will result in the unit no longer being eligible to that operator for use as a short-term rental for a period of six months following the most recent violation. Violations may include any failure to abide by this ordinance including, but not limited to, offering an ineligible unit, failure to furnish copy of booking agent listing or include required parking information in such listing, failure to furnish a community information card to guests or furnishing one without the required minimum information, or failure to remit any required excise tax or surcharge as required by law. Unpaid taxes or surcharges shall also be liened against the property.
Salem Code of Ordinances ch. 15 § 15-8 establishes a complaint-driven enforcement process for short-term rental violations in Salem. Complaints are directed to the police, fire, health, and/or inspectional services department, which must begin an investigation within 30 days. An enforcement official may respond to a violation with a warning or a formal ticket carrying a fine, and an operator who accumulates three or more tickets within a six-month window loses the ability to use that unit as a short-term rental for six months after the most recent violation. Unpaid taxes or surcharges tied to a violation can be placed as a lien on the property itself.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to Salem Code of Ordinances ch. 15 § 15-8 generally maintain compliance by ensuring every listed unit is eligible, that booking agent listings include required parking information, that guests receive a complete community information card, and that all required excise taxes and surcharges are remitted on time. Because enforcement officials have discretion to issue warnings or formal tickets, a pattern of violations—three or more tickets within six months—can result in a six-month suspension of short-term rental eligibility for the affected unit. Compliant operators also keep records of their listings and guest materials to demonstrate adherence if a complaint triggers an investigation, and they address any tax obligations promptly to avoid liens being placed against the property under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Salem Code of Ordinances ch. 15 § 15-8, neighbors, guests, and other affected parties have a formal path to report suspected short-term rental violations by filing a complaint with the police, fire, health, or inspectional services department, which is required to open an investigation within 30 days. Violations covered by this provision are broad and include things like operating an ineligible unit, missing or incomplete guest information cards, and unpaid taxes or surcharges. Those who believe a short-term rental in their building or neighborhood is operating outside the rules may consult a local tenant-rights organization or housing advocacy group to better understand how § 15-8 applies and what remedies the complaint process may offer.
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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