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Oregon · Climate zone 4–5

Custom House Plans in Salem, OR

Building requirements, permits and zoning in Salem, plus custom plans drawn to meet them. Customization is free and delivery starts at 24 hours.

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Where to get your Salem building permit

City of Salem Permit Application Center

All residential projects are submitted online, and trade work needs its own permits.

Checked November 2026. Offices and rules change, so confirm with the office before you apply.

House plans we draw in Salem, OR

Every plan is drawn from scratch for your lot in Salem, OR, with free customization and 30 days of revisions.

Building requirements

Building a house in Salem, OR: what the code requires

Statewide residential code

Building code
Oregon Residential Specialty Code applies statewide.
Energy code
Energy provisions are in the Oregon Residential Specialty Code, among the stricter codes.
Climate zone
IECC climate zone 4–5. Insulation, windows and HVAC are sized to match.
Typical frost depth
12–24 in. Footings must extend below the local frost line (confirm with your building department).
Foundations
Crawlspace or basement, depending on soil and lot slope.
Who can draw the plans
Single-family homes can generally be designed by a non-licensed home designer. A licensed engineer's stamp is often required for structural items, engineered foundations or special hazard zones, or when the local building official asks for it.
Engineer stamp
If your jurisdiction requires sealed drawings, add our Oregon Engineer Stamp / Permit-Ready package ($1,000).

Oregon-specific rules & hazards

Summary for planning only. Codes, editions and local amendments change, so always confirm current requirements with the building department that will issue your permit. Our designers check your jurisdiction before drawing.

Towns, villages & rural counties

Permit checklist for building in Salem and surrounding towns

Requirements differ town by town. Use this checklist with your local building, zoning and health departments, and include what you learn in your design instructions. We'll draw to it.

  1. 01Find who issues permitsIncorporated towns and cities usually have a building department. In unincorporated areas it's the county building or planning office, or a state agency, or in some rural areas nobody. Call before you buy the lot.
  2. 02Zoning & setbacksCheck the zoning district for minimum lot size, front, side and rear setbacks, maximum height, lot coverage and whether barndominiums, ADUs or metal buildings are allowed.
  3. 03HOA & deed restrictionsSubdivisions often restrict minimum square footage, exterior materials, roof pitch, garage orientation and outbuildings. These can be stricter than the town code.
  4. 04Septic & well permitsWithout city sewer or water, you'll need a percolation (perc) test and a septic permit from the county health department, plus a well permit.
  5. 05Driveway & culvert permitConnecting to a public road usually needs a driveway or culvert permit from the town, county or state DOT.
  6. 06Floodplain development permitIf any part of the lot is in a FEMA flood zone, you'll need a floodplain permit and an elevation certificate, and the lowest floor must be at or above the Base Flood Elevation plus any local freeboard.
  7. 07Energy code complianceMost jurisdictions require an energy compliance report (REScheck or similar) showing insulation, windows and HVAC meet the adopted energy code.
  8. 08Engineering stampMany building officials require a licensed engineer's seal for foundations, beams, trusses, or high wind, snow or seismic zones. Add our Engineer Stamp option at checkout.
  9. 09Utility & fire accessRural lots may need a fire-apparatus access road, a water supply for firefighting, or wildfire (WUI) defensible-space and ignition-resistant materials.
  10. 10Inspections scheduleA typical sequence is footing, foundation, framing, rough MEP, insulation and final. A certificate of occupancy is issued after final inspection.

Popular styles around Salem

Craftsman house exteriorFrom $1,250

Craftsman Plans in Oregon

Tapered columns, exposed rafter tails, stone bases and handcrafted detail.

Modern house exteriorFrom $1,300

Modern Plans in Oregon

Clean lines, flat or shed roofs, floor-to-ceiling glass and indoor-outdoor living.

Cabin & A-Frame house exteriorFrom $1,050

Cabin & A-Frame Plans in Oregon

Timber, steep A-frames and big windows made for mountain or lake lots.

Salem and Oregon house plan guides

House plans for sale around Salem

Salem building FAQ

Do I need a building permit to build a house in Salem?+

Yes. New homes in Salem require a building permit. Start with City of Salem Permit Application Center. Expect to submit a full plan set, a site plan, energy compliance and, where required, sealed engineering.

What building code applies in Salem, OR?+

Oregon Residential Specialty Code applies statewide. Check whether Salem has local amendments before you submit.

How much do custom house plans cost in Salem?+

Plans start at $1,050 for homes up to 1,000 sq ft and are priced by size, with free customization and 30 days of revisions. Engineer stamps for Oregon start at $1,000.

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