Salem, MA
Old city, shallow soil, strict districts. Salem rewards doing it right.
Salem's soils are rocky and shallow, much of the waterfront sits in FEMA flood zones, and four local historic districts review what you can see from the street. We've built here, and we plan for all three.
In Salem, a patio at grade needs no historic review, but the retaining wall around it does. Knowing where that line falls is half the design.
Straight from the Historical Commission's guidelines.
Know before you build
What Salem reviews, and what it doesn't.
Salem has more layers of review than most North Shore towns. None of them rule out a good project. They shape it.
- 01
Four local historic districts
McIntire, Derby Street, Lafayette Street and Washington Square. At-grade terraces, walks, driveways and plantings are exempt from review, but retaining walls and landscape barriers need Historical Commission approval.
Source: Salem Historical Commission Design Guidelines ↗ - 02
Fence styles in the districts
The design guidelines favor picket, capped picket or spindle fences at the front, and capped flat board or lattice for privacy. They advise against chain-link, vinyl, split-rail and ranch-rail.
Source: Salem Historical Commission Design Guidelines ↗ - 03
Salem's wetlands ordinance
Updated in 2022, it adds a 25-foot no-disturbance zone and a 50-foot mitigation zone from wetlands, protects isolated wetlands and vernal pools, and weighs climate change in reviews.
Source: Salem Conservation Commission ↗ - 04
Pools
Pools go in side or rear yards only, at least 6 feet from side and rear lines, with a 48-inch fence and a self-latching gate at least 36 inches wide. Rail fences don't count. A certified plot plan is required.
Source: Salem: installing a pool, spa or hot tub ↗ - 05
Watering follows the state drought level
Salem ties outdoor watering limits to the state drought level, from one day a week for sprinklers up to a full ban on nonessential use. Check the city's current notice before seeding or planting.
Source: Salem Water Use Restrictions ↗
Our work in Salem
A raised stone patio in Salem.
A stone-faced raised patio with bluestone caps, built on a tight city lot beside the sidewalk.
Salem ground
Rock, clay and tide.
The city's open space plan describes soils that are 'rocky and shallow', with ledge exposed from Gallows Hill to the Willows, and marine clay under downtown.
- Ledge
- Exposed at Gallows Hill, Mack Park, Forest River Park and the Willows. We plan digs around it.
- Marine clay & fill
- Downtown and the river valleys sit on clay and old fill that can hold water. Drainage comes first.
- Flood zones
- Much of Salem Neck, Bridge Street Neck and the waterfront is in FEMA flood zones. We use materials and bases that handle it.
What we build here
Services in Salem.
Salem's tight lots make every square foot count. Here's everything we build in the city.
All over Salem.
From the McIntire District to the Willows.
- McIntire District
- The Point
- South Salem
- North Salem
- Salem Neck
- Salem Willows
- Castle Hill
- Witchcraft Heights
- Gallows Hill
- Bridge Street Neck
I'm in the McIntire District. Can I build a patio?
Yes. Terraces and walks substantially at grade are exempt from Historical Commission review. Retaining walls and landscape barriers are not, so a raised patio needs approval.
Can I put up a vinyl fence in a Salem historic district?
The guidelines advise against vinyl, chain-link and rail fences. Wood picket and capped board styles are favored.
Who clears the sidewalk in front of my house in winter?
The owner, within 6 hours after snow stops. Throwing snow back into the street isn't allowed. We can include sidewalks in a snow plan.
Where the local information on this page comes from
- Salem Conservation Commission
- Salem Historical Commission
- Salem Historical Commission Design Guidelines
- Salem historic district maps
- Salem: installing a pool, spa or hot tub
- Salem Water Use Restrictions
- Salem Open Space & Recreation Plan 2023
- Salem winter storm information
Rules change. Always confirm with the town before starting work. We check for every project.
Let's talk about your Salem project.
Estimates are free. We'll call you back to set up a time to see the property.