About Salem Indiana
Salem is located in scenic Southern Indiana just 35 miles north of Louisville, Kentucky and less than 100 miles south of Indianapolis, Indiana. Salem is a great place to live and make a living. We have high achieving public schools, and a wide variety of community activities. Salem also has a strong and diverse economic base. If you're a visitor to Salem, we hope you will take note of our many unique and historic destinations. As a city, Salem has retained much of its small town flavor, a flavor that is enhanced by the city’s tree-lined streets, stately old homes and a friendly atmosphere that has been nurtured and handed down through the generations.
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The John Hay Center includes the following:
The Stevens Memorial Museum
The Stevens Memorial Museum is the centerpiece of the John Hay Center, founded by the Washington County Historical Society. The museum was designed to preserve the heritage of Washington County, Indiana and contains dozens of exhibits representing thousands of artifacts from generous donors.
The Stevens Memorial Museum was built in 1970 to preserve community history and heritage. A major expansion was completed in 1995. The beautiful two-and-one-half story brick building is built of native brick from local old historic buildings. The museum features old-time law and dentist offices.
There are hundreds of native historic relics. Many Civil War mementos are included along with tools, agriculture tools and items, beautiful furniture, clothing and other displays. Visitors will find it historically educational and fulfilling in developing an association with the lifes of our ancestors.
Genealogy and Historical Library
The Stevens Memorial Museum also houses the Washington County Historical Society Genealogy and Historical Library. Many researchers from all over the United States come here to work on special projects. A small library staff is available to work with researchers. The library not only contains Indiana and local records but also maintains data and records from other states. Types of data included are: family histories, church records, cemetery records, obituaries, census records, marriage records, newspapers, state and county histories and antique photographs.
The Pioneer Village
The Pioneer Village is an extension of the Stevens Memorial Museum and has been reconstructed as a "living village" during the 1840's era. Visitors find a visit to the village a challenge to their imagination of the way of life for early settlers. Thomas Hopper is credited with being the first settler to what is now Washington County. George Brock was the first man to settle in the immediate vicinity of Salem. From early settlements came men and women who prominently figured in the development of Washington County.
The John Hay House
The John Hay House was built in 1824 and was the birthplace of John Hay, private secretary to President Abraham Lincoln ,1861-1865, Writer/Author, 1870-1890, Life of Lincoln and many poems. Mr. Hay was also Ambassador to England; and Secretary of State under President McKinley, 1898, and President Roosevelt, 1902.
Click here to visit the John Hay Center Website
Looking for Washington County Burial Information?
Crown Hill Cemetery Burial Database
For additional information:
John Hay Center
307 East Market Street
Salem, Indiana 47167
Ph#812-883-6495
http://johnhaycenter.org/
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In Case of an Emergency call 911 or 812-883-5999
City of Salem Police Department
City of Salem Police Dept.
38 Public Square
Salem, IN 47167
Ph# 812-883-5100
Police Chief Joey Wheeler
Open 24 Hours a day 7 days a week.
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City of Salem Fire Department
City of Salem Fire Department
38 Public Square
Salem, IN 47167
Ph#812-883-4970
Fire Chief Tom Day
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Washington County Sheriff's Department
Washington County Sheriff's Office
801 S Jackson St.
Salem, IN 47167
Ph#812-883-5999
Open 24 Hours a day 7 days a week. (Administration office 8am-4pm)
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American Red Cross Shelter Emergency Shelter
(In case of a community or natural disaster Southern Hills Church is designated as an American Red Cross Emergency Shelter)
Southern Hills Church
1645 S. State Road 135
Salem, IN 47167
Ph#812.883.1637
Additional Resources:
Nationwide Runaway Hotline
800-621-4000
National Child Abuse Hotline
800-422-4453
National Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-7233
Center for Missing & Exploited Children
800-843-5678
National Poison Control Center
1-800-222-1222
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The office of the Mayor and the Clerk-Treasurer's office are the two full-time elected officials in the City of Salem.
In addition, the City of Salem has a five-member City Council that is elected. Voting for the two elected officials and the five-member City Council occurs every four years.
For information on the City Council please visit the Community Boards and Councils page on this website.
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Salem Community Schools
Salem Community Schools employs 277 full-time personnel, which include 127 highly-qualified teachers and administrators, who are committed to meeting the needs of all children within the SCS school community. Staff members keep up-to-date with best practice research and emerging national trends in curriculum, teaching strategies and assessment. A central focus for all SCS classrooms is an emphasis on class work designed to better connect student interests to the lesson.
Salem Community Schools
500 North Harrison Street,
Salem, Indiana 47167
Ph#812-883-4437
http://www.salemschools.com/
Salem Public Library
The Salem Public Library has been serving the citizens of Salem and Washington County, Indiana since 1905.Salem Public Library
212 N. Main St.
Salem, IN 47167
Ph#812-883-5600
http://www.salemlib.lib.in.us
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The City of Salem Office of Building & Safety is responsible for issuing City of Salem Building Permits as well as building inspections. Please review the information provided below and if you have questions please contact our office.
When do I need a Building Permit?
- New Residential Structures (single or multi family)
- Residential Additions and Remodels
- Porches, Sunrooms, Patios and Decks
- Garages and Carports
- Storage/Utility Buildings (any size or portability)
- Roofing (if any structural changes are made)
- Electric Service Changes
- Window or Door Replacement (if door or window size is changed)
- Mobile Home, Modular Home or Manufactured Home Placement
- Swimming Pools
- Tents and Awnings (commercial)
- New Commercial and/or Industrial Structures
- Commercial and/or Industrial Structure Remodels
- Demolition of Structures
- Commercial Parking Garages
- Commercial Communication Towers
- Temporary Permit for Construction Site Trailer, Produce Stands, Tropical Ice Stands, etc
- Educational, Medical, Institutional and Church Structures
- Civic Organization Structures
- Signs (other than, name/identification of two square feet or less, temporary business sign not maintained more than 10 days, real estate for sale signs not to exceed six square feet in area, signs directing or guiding traffic and parking on private property but bearing no advertising matter, directional or information signs of a public or quasi-public nature erected and maintained by an official or civic body.
- Hotels and Motels
The above list is not inclusive as other permits may be required. This can only be determined by contacting the Building, Planning & Zoning Department.
Why do I need a building permit?
The purpose of a building permit is to allow the Building Inspector to oversee construction to make sure that the minimum construction standards are provided. These standards safeguard life and property. The City’s building and zoning codes have been carefully enacted to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of you and your property. The City of Salem, Indiana has adopted and enforces the following building codes and ordinances:
City of Salem Land Usage Code
Indiana Building Codes
International Building Codes
International Residential Codes
International Mechanical Codes
International Plumbing Codes (as amended by the State of Indiana)
International Property Maintenance Code
National Electric Code
National Fire Protection Code
Indiana Administrative Code 675
These codes may be reviewed in the City of Salem Building, Planning & Zoning Department during normal working hours. The department also reviews planning and zoning applications for other matters to ensure that the City continues to be a safe and beautiful area in which to live, work and play.
What is required to get my building permit?
When you contact the Building Department, the first question you will be asked is, “What is the location of your project?” This will let us know if you are within the City of Salem’s planning and zoning jurisdiction. It is possible to have a Salem address, but actually be in another planning jurisdiction such as Washington County. You will also be asked what your project is going to be. Knowing the type of the project that you are doing will guide the department in helping you obtain the correct permit(s). There are additional requirements to obtain a permit which are detailed in full on our “Before You Apply Guide”.
How to apply for a building permit?
The City of Salem Building and Development Department now has an online application. Please click the button below to submit an application.
Most residential permits can be obtained at the same time you provide the necessary information, as noted above. Commercial or industrial permits require a construction design release form the State of Indiana and may take a longer period of time in which to obtain the local permit. Check with our department in order to determine the time required.
Can I draw the plans myself?
Yes. The City of Salem does accept hand drawings, provided they include all information needed for your permit review.
Do I or my contractor(s) need to have a license to do the work on my project?
No. At this time the City of Salem does not provide nor require licensing. The only exception to this is plumbers. They are required to be bonded and licensed by the State of Indiana. If your project includes plumbing you will be required to hire a licensed plumber. You can check the Indiana web site to obtain plumbers who are licensed in or near your area. That web site is: https://mylicense.in.gov/eVerification
Who is responsible for obtaining the permit for my project?
The permit may be obtained by the project or property owner, contractor, architect, engineer or a permitting company. However, the project or property owner shall be responsible for making sure all inspections are requested and all conditions are met. A required inspection sheet is given for all permits issued from this department and is also copied and made a part of the notarized permit retained in this office.
What’s the cost of a permit?
The permit fee is based on the size of your project and the anticipated number of inspections required. Fees shall be assessed at $2/100 square feet of floor and/or surface area. A single inspection fee is $15 and different projects require different numbers of inspections. There are seven inspections required on a new single family residential construction, but on a small portable utility/storage building, without electric, only one inspection may be needed. For example: You are building a 2500 square foot home, which includes an attached garage and deck, your base fee would be $2 x 2500 = $50.00, seven inspections $15 x 7 = $105, so your permit fee would be a total of $155. In some cases you could phone our office ahead of time to obtain your probable permit cost. This would be subject to change if the information given by phone differs from actual project plans.
What about getting inspections?
An inspection at each and every required phase of construction must be requested in a timely manner, at least 24 hours in advance, to make certain the work conforms to the applicable building codes, the obtained permit and the approved plans. Failure to make required notification for inspection at each phase of construction, as defined upon the Required Inspections Sheet given to you during the permit process, may be cause for removal of performed work, reinstallation of performed work or Stop Work orders being issued. The Building Commissioner has the power to assess a reinspection fee of $15 for each additional inspection. The Building Commissioner also has the power to assess fines for violations, failure or refusal of all codes in connection with our Land Usage Ordinances. The violator may be fined for not less than $15, nor more than $500 for each day the violation occurs. Each day constitutes a separate offense.
Required Inpections Sheet (pdf)
Failure to aquire the proper inspections may result in one or all of the following:
Re-inspection fee of $15.00 for each additional inspection accessed by the Building Inspector. A fine of not less than $15.00, nor more than $500.00 for failure to comply with provisions set out in Salem’s Building Code. Each day constitutes a separate offense. Failure of the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, and notation of such on Inspection Sheet.
Can I get a Certificate of Occupancy?
Final inspection determining the code compliance is a valuable and necessary part of the construction process. Once code compliance is determined, the Building Commission may issue a Certificate of Occupancy which establishes that your project is completed and has met all building codes associated with your project. Failure to have all inspections, as required, eliminates you from the privilege of obtaining the Certificate of Occupancy.
Contact the Office of Building & Safety
Department Superintendent
Ronnie Voyles
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Office Phone:
Office Location:
Office of Building & Safety
201 E. Market Street Suite#104
Salem, IN 47167
General Information:
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City of Salem Ordinances Table of Contents (pdf)
Title I - General Provisions (pdf)
10. General Provisions
11. City Standards
Title III - Administration (pdf)
30. City Government; Organization
31. City Policies
32. Departments, Boards, Commissions,
33. Finance, City Funds
34. Fire Department
35. Ordinance Violation Bureau
36. Personnel Policies
37. Police Department
38. Claims
39. Use of Information Technology
50. Sewers
51. Solid Waste Disposal
52. Water
Title VII - Traffic Code (pdf)
70. Traffic Rules
71. Parking Regulations
72. Traffic Schedules
73. Parking Schedules
74. Off-Road Vehicles
Title IX - General Regulations (pdf)
90. Abandoned Vehicles
91. Animals
92. Boats and Waterways
93. Cemetery Fees
94. Fair Housing
95. Fire Prevention
96. Nuisances
97. Streets and Sidewalks
98. Trees
99. Noise
100. Parks
101. Airport Access Charges
Title XI - Business Regulations (pdf)
110. Business Licensing
111. Alcoholic Beverages
112. Amusements
113. Cable Television
114. Taxicabs
115. Transient Merchants
Title XIII - General Offenses (pdf)
130. General Offenses
150. Building Regulations
151. Erosion Control
152. Flood Control
153. Planning
Appendix A: Plat Certificates and Deed of Dedication
Appendix B: Curb and Gutter Detail
Appendix C: Urban Typical Thoroughfare Cross-Sections
155. Unsafe Buildings
156. Zoning Code
Appendix A:Table of Lot, Lot Coverage and Height Requirements (pdf)
157. Lighting
158. International Property Maintenance Code
159. Storm Drainage, Erosion Control and Sediment Control
Attachment A: Salem Plan Commission Review Checklist
Attachment B: Storm Water Facilities Fee Agreement (pdf)
Table of Special Ordinances (pdf)
Acceptances, Annexations, Vacations, Zoning Map Changes, Franchises, Plat Approvals
Parallel References (pdf)
References to Indiana Code - References to 1986 Code of Ordinances
References to Resolutions - References to Ordinances
Ordinance 825 (pdf)
An ordinance recodifying the Salem City Code for the purpose of revising, amending, reorganizing the general ordinances of the City of Salem, Indiana.
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Salem Water Works has two water treatment facilities with a combined designed pumping capacity of 4 million gallons a day. These plants utilize conventional treatment processes of disinfection, flocculation sedimentation, filtration. Chlorine is used for disinfection; Alum for sedimentation; Soda Ash for Ph control and adjustment; Carbon for taste and odor control and fluoride for dental health.
Lake John Hay Water Treatment Plant
The John Hay facility was built in 1968 to increase Salem's water supply. It is rated at 3 million gallons per day. This plant is rated as a 210-Acre supply lake and typically pumps 2 to 2.4 million gallons per day.
Lake Salinda Water Treatment Plant
The Lake Salinda facility was built in 1947. It was remodeled in 1979 to increase capacity and to take advantage of improved water treatment processes. Lake Salinda is still used as a supplemental supply for Salem. It has an 88 acre surface supply lake and the plant is rated at 1 million gallons a day.
Salem’s water treatment plants are State-Certified and follow strict water treatment guidelines to provide quality water to the community. With a combined storage capacity of 3 million gallons, Salem's Water Department serves the Salem community as well as other areas in and around Washington County including East Washington, Pekin and Posey Township.
Contact City of Salem Water Works
Jennifer Mills - Water Distribution Superintendent and Water Treatment Superintendent
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The Salem Waste Water operations consist of the treatment plant and the sewer collection system. There are 5 full time Salem employees at waste water. The management group, Astbury, functions as the “in charge operator” providing service on a three day a week basis.
The waste water plant is located at the end of Joseph Street. The goal of the waste water staff is to operate in such an environmental friendly manner that our presence goes unnoticed, to achieve this goal economically is a daily challenge.
The waste water plant has a yearly average flow of 1.2 million gallons per day. Heavy rains during the wet seasons can increase the waste flow to as much as 2.5 million gallons per day. The plant is equipped with 3 equalization ponds to deal with increased flows. Oxygen is mechanically introduced to the ponds for partial treatment, then the contents of the ponds are pumped back to the plant and fully treated as the wet weather subsides. The pond area serves host to a vibrant wildlife population and is a compliment to the urban environment.
Successful waste water plant operations are not an exact science. The plant requires daily adjustments and maintenance based on various factors. The adjustments that occur are largely based on in house laboratory analysis, city employee Troy Watts, a certified lab technician, heads up the laboratory at Salem. Lab work is done 365 days a year and all other of our plant employees have lab experience.
The sewer collection system consists of 75 miles of pipe and 27 pumping lift stations. The past 2 years has seen numerous pipe repairs to help prevent sewer overflows. The waste water department also has a jetter truck, backhoe, and a dump truck in their plumbing supplies. It should be noted that all 3 of these city employees have their CDL license to better serve Salem. Hard work, modern equipment, and caring staff will go a long way to maintain the many miles of aging pipe to prevent sewer backups and manage overflows.
Wastewater employee Branden Gates assumes responsibility of the 23 pumping stations. Branden is an experienced electrician and has spent countless hours maintaining and repairing lift station problems. Preventative maintenance of these stations is one of many efforts to help the city and waste water department stay in compliance with IDEM.
The economic situation that exists today has forced city departments to lend a helping had to one another. The waste water dept. can proudly say that they have not fell short in this effort. Branden Gates serves as the city electrician, and in addition to all waste water maintenance can be seen in all other department tending to their electrical needs. Waste water employees go when and where there is a need city wide.
In conclusion, the waste water department performs and is on call to serve Salem 24/7 365 days a year. The department now operates on a stricter budget while performing many upgrades. The plant received the 2011 Southern Indiana class III plant of the year. The efforts of waste water operations maintain a pristine environment the city can be proud of for years to come.
Contact the Waste Water Department
Office Contacts:
Branden Gates - Superintendent
Office Phone:
Office Location:
Waste Water Services
209 Joseph Street
Salem, IN 47167