Salem council adopts paid tour-bus permit, raises idling fine to $150

The Salem City Council voted May 14 to adopt a paid tour-bus parking permit ordinance that creates per-visit fees and increases the fine for running a tour-bus engine while parked.

The ordinance sets a baseline per-visit permit fee and includes a seasonal higher rate in October. Councilor Varela, speaking for the Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs committee, summarized committee changes and the adopted amendment, saying the committee's action "extended that fine from $100 to $150" for standing buses with engines running and adjusted fee language in the schedule.

Councilors debated the initiative as a balancing measure to manage curb space and partly offset city costs. Councilor Halepa said the measure is a "first step" to ensure buses contribute to upkeep and to gather data on use via the Passport payment app. Councilor Hopworth stressed that the change recognizes the tourism industry's value while acknowledging additional city costs for public safety and maintenance.

Councilor Smith moved an amendment to keep a $50 per-visit fee year-round; that amendment failed. The council instead approved an amendment that keeps $50 per visit for most of the year and sets a $100 fee for October 1'31. The full ordinance, as amended, was then adopted.

The ordinance instructs the traffic and parking department to use the Passport app for permit payment and to collect utilization data to inform future policy adjustments. The council also discussed exemptions for schools and nonprofits and said definitions in the ordinance clarify those categories.

The measure passed after the council voted on the committee amendment and then on final adoption.