Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Nature of Operations	The Company, which conducts all of its activities through its subsidiaries, the Operating Partnership and Subsidiary Partnerships, engages in the ownership, operation, management, leasing, acquisition, renovation, expansion, development and financing of community and neighborhood shopping centers and mixed-use properties, primarily in the Washington, DC/Baltimore metropolitan area. Because the properties are located primarily in the Washington, DC/Baltimore metropolitan area, the Company is subject to a concentration of credit risk related to these properties. A majority of the Shopping Centers are anchored by one or more major tenants.
Principles of Consolidation	The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of Saul Centers and its subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership and Subsidiary Partnerships, which are majority owned by Saul Centers. Substantially all assets and liabilities of the Company as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, are comprised of the assets and liabilities of the Operating Partnership. The debt arrangements which are subject to recourse are described in Note 5. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity	The Operating Partnership is a variable interest entity ("VIE") because the limited partners do not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. The Company is the primary beneficiary of the Operating Partnership because it has the power to direct its activities and the rights to absorb 74.4% of its net income. Because the Operating Partnership was previously consolidated into the financial statements of the Company, classification of it as a VIE had no impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
Basis of Presentation	The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations of the Company. for the interim periods have been included. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. These consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company. for the year ended December 31, 2018, which are included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to those instructions. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates and assumptions relate to impairment of real estate properties. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Accounts Receivable, Accrued Income and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Accounts Receivable, Accrued Income and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Accounts receivable primarily represent amounts currently due from tenants in accordance with the terms of their respective leases. Lease related receivables are reduced for credit losses. Such losses are recognized as a reduction of rental revenue in the consolidated statements of operations.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Issued Accounting Standards In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (‘‘FASB’’) issued Accounting Standards Update (‘‘ASU’’) 2016-02, ‘‘Leases’’ (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and making targeted changes to lessor accounting. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, interim periods within those years, and requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at the date of initial application, with an option to use certain practical expedients for those existing leases. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-02 effective January 1, 2019, we elected the practical expedient for all leases with respect to lease identification, lease classification, and initial direct costs. We made a policy election not to separate lease and nonlease components and have accounted for each lease component and the related nonlease components together as a single component. There have been no significant changes to our lessor accounting for operating leases as a result of ASU 2016-02. We lease shopping centers and mixed-use properties to lessees in exchange for monthly payments that cover rent, and where applicable, reimbursement for property taxes, insurance and certain property operating expenses. Our leases were determined to be operating leases and generally range in term from one to 15 years. Some of our leases have termination options and/or extension options. Termination options allow the lessee to terminate the lease prior to the end of the lease term, provided certain conditions are met. Termination options generally require advance notification from the lessee and payment of a termination fee. Termination fees are recognized as revenue over the modified lease term. Extension options are subject to terms and conditions stated in the lease. On January 1, 2019, a right of use asset and corresponding lease liability related to our headquarters lease were recorded in other assets and other liabilities, respectively. The lease expires on February 28, 2022, with one option to renew for an additional five years. The right of use asset and corresponding lease liability totaled $2.0 million and $2.0 million, respectively, at June 30, 2019. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses" ("ASU 2016-13"). ASU 2016-13 replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of information to support credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those years. We are evaluating the impact that ASU 2016-13 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASU 2017-12”). ASU 2017-12 amends financial reporting for hedging activities to better align that reporting with risk management activities. ASU 2017-12 expands and refines hedge accounting for both financial and nonfinancial risk components and aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. Effective with the adoption of ASU 2017-12 on January 1, 2019, changes in the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap related to changes in the cash flow of the hedged item are reported as a component of interest expense and amortization of deferred debt costs in the Statements of Operations.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to conform to the presentation used for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

The Company, which conducts all of its activities through its subsidiaries, the Operating Partnership and Subsidiary Partnerships, engages in the ownership, operation, management, leasing, acquisition, renovation, expansion, development and financing of community and neighborhood shopping centers and mixed-use properties, primarily in the Washington, DC/Baltimore metropolitan area.

Because the properties are located primarily in the Washington, DC/Baltimore metropolitan area, the Company is subject to a concentration of credit risk related to these properties. A majority of the Shopping Centers are anchored by one or more major tenants.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of Saul Centers and its subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership and Subsidiary Partnerships, which are majority owned by Saul Centers. Substantially all assets and liabilities of the Company as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, are comprised of the assets and liabilities of the Operating Partnership. The debt arrangements which are subject to recourse are described in Note 5. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity

The Operating Partnership is a variable interest entity ("VIE") because the limited partners do not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. The Company is the primary beneficiary of the Operating Partnership because it has the power to direct its activities and the rights to absorb 74.4% of its net income. Because the Operating Partnership was previously consolidated into the financial statements of the Company, classification of it as a VIE had no impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations of the Company. for the interim periods have been included. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. These consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company. for the year ended December 31, 2018, which are included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to those instructions. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates and assumptions relate to impairment of real estate properties. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Accounts Receivable, Accrued Income and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable primarily represent amounts currently due from tenants in accordance with the terms of their respective leases. Lease related receivables are reduced for credit losses. Such losses are recognized as a reduction of rental revenue in the consolidated statements of operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (‘‘FASB’’) issued Accounting Standards Update (‘‘ASU’’) 2016-02, ‘‘Leases’’ (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and making targeted changes to lessor accounting. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, interim periods within those years, and requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at the date of initial application, with an option to use certain practical expedients for those existing leases. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-02 effective January 1, 2019, we elected the practical expedient for all leases with respect to lease identification, lease classification, and initial direct costs. We made a policy election not to separate lease and nonlease components and have accounted for each lease component and the related nonlease components together as a single component. There have been no significant changes to our lessor accounting for operating leases as a result of ASU 2016-02.

We lease shopping centers and mixed-use properties to lessees in exchange for monthly payments that cover rent, and where applicable, reimbursement for property taxes, insurance and certain property operating expenses. Our leases were determined to be operating leases and generally range in term from one to 15 years.

Some of our leases have termination options and/or extension options. Termination options allow the lessee to terminate the lease prior to the end of the lease term, provided certain conditions are met. Termination options generally require advance notification from the lessee and payment of a termination fee. Termination fees are recognized as revenue over the modified lease term. Extension options are subject to terms and conditions stated in the lease.

On January 1, 2019, a right of use asset and corresponding lease liability related to our headquarters lease were recorded in other assets and other liabilities, respectively. The lease expires on February 28, 2022, with one option to renew for an additional five years. The right of use asset and corresponding lease liability totaled $2.0 million and $2.0 million, respectively, at June 30, 2019.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses" ("ASU 2016-13"). ASU 2016-13 replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of information to support credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those years. We are evaluating the impact that ASU 2016-13 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASU 2017-12”). ASU 2017-12 amends financial reporting for hedging activities to better align that reporting with risk management activities. ASU 2017-12 expands and refines hedge accounting for both financial and nonfinancial risk components and aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. Effective with the adoption of ASU 2017-12 on January 1, 2019, changes in the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap related to changes in the cash flow of the hedged item are reported as a component of interest expense and amortization of deferred debt costs in the Statements of Operations.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to conform to the presentation used for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for trade and other accounts receivable, and finance, loan and lease receivables, including those classified as held for investment and held for sale. This disclosure may include (1) the basis at which such receivables are carried in the entity's statements of financial position (2) how the level of the valuation allowance for receivables is determined (3) when impairments, charge-offs or recoveries are recognized for such receivables (4) the treatment of origination fees and costs, including the amortization method for net deferred fees or costs (5) the treatment of any premiums or discounts or unearned income (6) the entity's income recognition policies for such receivables, including those that are impaired, past due or placed on nonaccrual status and (7) the treatment of foreclosures or repossessions (8) the nature and amount of any guarantees to repurchase receivables.

+ References + Details