Consolidated Statements of Equity (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Shares issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan	61,359,000	143,957,000	293,615,000
Shares due to exercise of employee stock options and issuance of directors' deferred stock	5,520,000	31,581,000	70,231,000
Change in unrealized gain on cash flow hedge	$ (1,220)	$ 3,962	$ 0
Total Saul Centers, Inc.
Change in unrealized gain on cash flow hedge	(838)	2,852
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Change in unrealized gain on cash flow hedge	(838)	2,852
Noncontrolling Interests
Change in unrealized gain on cash flow hedge	$ (382)	$ 1,110
Limited Partner
Shares issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan	44,500,000	26,659,000	61,009,000
Twinbrook Metro Station
Stock issued during period, shares, acquisitions			469,740,000
Restricted units released pursuant to first escrow release (in shares)	708,035,000
Twinbrook Metro Station | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Stock issued during period, shares, acquisitions	1,416,071,000		1,416,071,000
Restricted units released pursuant to first escrow release (in shares)			708,036,000
Ashbrook Marketplace
Stock issued during period, shares, acquisitions			93,674,000
Dividend declared
Distributions payable common stock and partnership units (in usd per share)	$ 0.59	$ 0.59	$ 0.57
Dividend declared | Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Distributions payable on preferred stock (in usd per share)	38.28	38.28	38.28
Dividend declared | Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Distributions payable on preferred stock (in usd per share)	$ 37.50	$ 37.50	$ 37.50