Departments

Animal Shelter

The Salem Animal Shelter has been caring for and finding homes for the City of Salem’s homeless dogs and cats for over 30 years.

Building Inspections

It is the mission of the Building Inspections Department to protect the life, safety and welfare of our citizens, visitors and businesses by contributing to the preservation of our historic resources and present and future economic viability of the City of Salem.

City Manager

Learn about the role of the City Manger.

Civic Center

The Salem Civic Center, the hub of the James E. Taliaferro Sports and Entertainment Complex, became a part of Salem’s landscape in October 1967.

Commissioner of the Revenue

The Commissioner's office is responsible for implementing the tax policy decisions of Salem City Council. We are the checks and balances between the local government, Treasurer's Office, and the citizens.

Commonwealth's Attorney

The Salem Commonwealth's Attorney's Office prosecutes all criminal and traffic offenses, felony and misdemeanor, that occur in the City of Salem.

Communications

The goal of the City of Salem’s Communications Department is to ensure that the community is kept informed in a timely manner about current events, programs, and news.

Community Development

The Department of Community Development is a multidisciplinary team of professionals dedicated to ensuring that the residents of Salem have the kind of future they deserve.

Economic Development

The Department is charged with the responsibility of assisting in the improvement of Salem's natural and built environments.

Electric

The City of Salem owns and operates its own electricity distribution system. The Electric Department was established in 1892.

Engineering

The Engineering Department is responsible for the management of engineering and construction projects throughout the City.

Farmers Market

Finance

The Finance Department is responsible for Financial Management, Budgeting, Accounting, Payroll, Utility Billing, Meter Reading, Collections, and Purchasing.

Fire - EMS

The Fire-EMS Department provides protection of life and property, provision of pre-hospital care for the sick and injured, and the mitigation of man-made and natural emergencies. We will accomplish this through safety education and effective and efficient delivery of emergency and non-emergency services.

Human Resources

The Salem Human Resources Department strives to administer comprehensive programs aimed at attracting and retaining a productive and healthy workforce.

Library

Founded in 1937, the Salem Public Library is dedicated to providing exceptional services for all ages, backgrounds, and needs.

Parks & Recreation

The Department of Parks & Recreation provides the citizens of Salem with year-round programs and activities, which are geared for all ages.

Planning & Zoning

The Planning and Zoning Division is responsible for all planning efforts within the City of Salem, such as the Downtown Plan and the Comprehensive Plan. The division is also responsible for ensuring public input and participation in the planning process.

Police

The mission of the City of Salem Police Department is to provide the public with the highest quality of service within our community.

Purchasing

View information on the Purchasing Department.

Real Estate

The Real Estate Assessor's Office is responsible for the records management and assessments for all real property located in the City of Salem.

Registrar's Office

See important voting information.

Rescue Squad

The Salem Rescue Squad is an all-volunteer organization giving the best pre-hospital health care to the citizens of Salem and surrounding Roanoke Valley.

Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office maintains the County Jail, provides security for the County Courts, and serves various legal papers throughout the county.

Street & General Maintenance

The City of Salem Street & General Maintenance Department provides services to improve the quality of life for citizens and the community.

Technology Systems

The City of Salem’s Technology Systems provides efficient, sustained, and effective delivery of Information Technology infrastructure, telecommunications, and applications and enhances service delivery to Salem’s citizens, businesses, visitors, and employees.

Treasurer

We are dedicated to serving our citizens in a professional, efficient, and courteous manner, being sensitive to their needs with a commitment to exceed their expectations.

Utility Billing

Our office is proud to serve the City of Salem citizens while producing more than 14,000 utility bills per month.

Utility Collections

Discover more about Utility Collections.

Water & Sewer

The City of Salem Water and Sewer Department's mission is to provide a high level of customer satisfaction by providing reliable, high quality water and sewer service in an efficient, cost effective and environmentally sensitive manner.

Zoning

The Planning and Zoning Division is responsible for all planning efforts within the City of Salem, such as the Downtown Plan and the Comprehensive Plan. The division is also responsible for ensuring public input and participation in the planning process.