Applications/Permits

Concrete Installation

(Driveway / Sidewalk / Curb & Gutter)


Residential property owners can apply and pay applicable fees to request that the City modify or install a new driveway entrance, sidewalk, or curb and gutter along the property that serves as the owner's primary residence. For new residential construction, concrete installation shall be the responsibility of the owner/contractor and will not be done by city forces.  

Effective 7/1/2025, unit costs for city crews to perform the following types of work per linear foot (typically measured along edge of pavement) are as follows:

  • $80 per linear foot for new curb
  • $100 per linear foot for new curb & gutter
  • $100 per linear foot for new sidewalk
  • $150 per linear foot for new driveway entrance**

** Driveway linear footage measured at front face of curb to include radii (2’ typical radius). Example: 10’ wide driveway will require 14’ entrance (2’ + 10’ +2’). All off-street parking areas (aka “driveways” in most cases) must be constructed of asphalt or concrete per Salem Code Sec. 106-404.11.

Please click here to submit a new concrete installation request for review. If approved by Community Development, and payment has been made, the construction work order will then be sent to the City of Salem Streets and General Maintenance Department for installation.

If a contractor is installing these things for a property owner, a Right-of-Way Permit (below) will need to be obtained instead.

Right-of-Way Permit


A Right-Of-Way Permit is required for ANY work done within the City of Salem Public Right-of-Way, including lane closures for maintenance work that doesn’t require excavation.  A permit is also required for any non-vehicular object such as a storage container that is to be temporarily placed within a city street parking area. Note this permit is in addition to any Electric Department pole permits necessary for overhead communications/utility work.

Road or lane closures shall only be in place from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Monday-Friday and 48-hour notice is required prior to closing.  Closures along certain arterial roadways may require nighttime work, typically 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM. If weekend closure is requested, additional coordination may be necessary to ensure that there are no conflicts with special events. Any type of temporary traffic control shall comply with MUTCD and VA WAPM.

Before reopening a work zone to vehicular traffic, any excavations shall be 1) temporarily backfilled with appropriate materials 2) spanned entirely using steel plates or 3) permanently restored.  For construction/restoration, The City of Salem expects current VDOT standards and specifications to be utilized unless stated otherwise.

Right-of-Way Restoration Standards (PDF)

The City reserves the right to inspect any job upon completion to ensure restoration is satisfactory. If the effort is substandard, the permittee shall correct the problem, or they will be invoiced if the City must correct it.  The warranty period for all work associated with a ROW Permit shall be 1 year after the expiration of the permit coverage period.

To apply for a permit, click here

Special Event Road Closure


If a special event necessitates a temporary road closure, permission will need to be granted by the City Manager's office prior to closure. Any applicant wanting to close a City of Salem street for the specific purpose of a special event must file the application at least one week prior to the actual date of closure. The approval and duration of the closure will be at the discretion of the City of Salem. In the case of an emergency road closure, please contact Community Development Department at 540-375-3032.

Road Closure Permit - Event (PDF)

Land Disturbing Permit


A land disturbing permit is required for any land-disturbing activity equal to or greater than 5,000 square feet in the City of Salem.

Land disturbing activities for residential single family home construction equal to or greater than 5,000 square feet but less than 10,000 square feet shall require an agreement in lieu of plan, and the cost is $51.

To apply for a ESC Plan Review, click here

An erosion and sediment control (ESC) plan will be required for land disturbance equal to or greater than 10,000 square feet. The cost for a land disturbance permit with an ESC plan is $30.

Any land disturbance equal to or greater than 1 acre requires a General VPDES Permit (CGP) from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) along with obtaining a land-disturbing permit with the City of Salem. The cost for a land disturbance permit from the City of Salem is $30. Additional costs for the CGP will range from $2700 to $4500 as determined by the disturbed area and DEQ.

Bridge Overweight Permit


While a DMV permit covers VDOT bridges, the City of Salem owns and maintains all bridges within city limits and therefore requires a permit for oversize/overweight loads in addition to any DMV permits. When submitting an application for review, a sketch showing total weight and axle loads will need to be provided along with a map of the proposed route through Salem. The permit fee is $100 plus any engineering analysis that may be required to process the permit.

To apply for a permit, click here