The Housing Code (Chapter 59)
“Every residential structure shall be kept free from insect and rodent infestation. When insects and rodents are found in any residential structure, they shall be promptly exterminated. After extermination, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent reinfestation. The Inspector may require that the residential structure be professionally treated if other forms of extermination are not sufficient to eradicate the infestation.” (SRC 59.235)
Chapter 59 applies to “all residential structures located within the City” (59.003). Every owner “remains personally and severally liable” for compliance, and every tenant is responsible for “those portions of the residential structure occupied by him or her” (59.500).
The Property Maintenance Code (Chapter 50)
“(a) All premises shall be kept free from pest infestation. (b) Pest infestations shall be promptly exterminated in a manner that will not be injurious to human health. (c) After extermination, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent re-infestation.” (SRC 50.700)
“Infestation” is “the presence of pests in large numbers that are harmful or bothersome,” and “pests” includes “insects, rodents, rats or vermin” (50.025). A violation of 50.700 is listed as a public nuisance (50.805(m)). Neither chapter uses the words “bed bug”; “insect” is the operative word.
Licensing and inspection of multifamily buildings
“A license shall be required for the operation of any multifamily dwelling” — three or more units — issued annually (59.400). The Inspector “is hereby authorized to make inspections and re-inspections of multifamily dwellings”; hotels, motels, shelters and room-and-board facilities are inspected “not less than once per calendar year”; apartment houses “as prescribed by the Director”; owners must give tenants 24 hours’ notice (59.430). Legal Aid’s 2023 handbook gives the number renters use: “Salem (City Code Compliance inspects multi-family buildings for infestations, call 503-588-6421).”
Penalties
Maintaining a residential structure in violation of Chapter 59 is an infraction, “each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate violation,” with a civil penalty “not to exceed $2,000.00 per violation” (59.990). Chapter 50 carries the same $2,000 civil ceiling (50.915) and $100–$250 fines per infraction (50.900).
For a landlord, the practical reading
“Promptly exterminated” plus an inspector who “may require” professional treatment means a DIY spray program in a licensed multifamily building is a liability, not a saving. A documented professional treatment with a re-check is what satisfies 59.235 and what you show the inspector. Multifamily and hotel service →