| Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure, Table | Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment on January 1, 2020 Based On: Year Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO (1) Compensation Actually Paid to PEO (1) Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs (2) Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs (2) Saul Centers Total Stockholder Return (4) Peer Group Total Stockholder Return (3) (4) Net Income 2023 $ 302,294 $ 302,294 $ 944,714 $ 940,496 $ 92.84 $ 110.96 $ 69,026 2022 293,174 293,174 896,356 802,676 90.34 99.72 65,392 2021 248,465 248,465 680,841 929,317 112.03 131.78 61,649 2020 193,906 193,906 706,527 540,224 63.93 92.00 50,316 | | | |
| Named Executive Officers, Footnote | Mr. B. Francis Saul II was our PEO for all years shown. All equity grants awarded to Mr. B. Francis Saul II vested immediately. There are no adjustments to the Summary Compensation Table total to arrive at CAP to our PEO.For 2021, our other NEOs included Messrs. Schneider, Pearson, Netter, Collich and Heard. For 2023 and 2022, our other NEOs included Messrs. Pearson, Netter, Collich and Heard. | | | |
| Peer Group Issuers, Footnote | Peer Group TSR is calculated using the FTSE Nareit Equity Index, which is the index used for purposes of our performance graph in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. | | | |
| PEO Total Compensation Amount | $ 302,294 | $ 293,174 | $ 248,465 | $ 193,906 |
| PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount | 302,294 | 293,174 | 248,465 | 193,906 |
| Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount | 944,714 | 896,356 | 680,841 | 706,527 |
| Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount | $ 940,496 | 802,676 | 929,317 | 540,224 |
| Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote | The following table summarizes the adjustments made during each year to arrive at average CAP to the other NEOs during 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020. Average of Other NEOs Adjustments 2023 2022 2021 2020 Amounts reported under “Option Awards” in Summary Compensation Table $ (136,350) $ (172,350) $ (95,360) $ (17,250) Fair Value of Awards Granted in the Indicated Year and Unvested as of Year-End 203,625 138,825 156,800 29,438 Change in Fair Value from Awards Granted in Prior Years that Remain Unvested as of Year-End (26,716) (63,297) 146,115 (103,803) Change in Fair Value from Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested during the Year (44,777) 3,142 40,921 (74,688) Increase based on Dividends or Other Earnings Paid During Year prior to Vesting Date of Award — — — — Total Adjustments $ (4,218) $ (93,680) $ 248,476 $ (166,303) | | | |
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return | | | | |
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income | | | | |
| Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group | | | | |
| Total Shareholder Return Amount | $ 92.84 | 90.34 | 112.03 | 63.93 |
| Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount | 110.96 | 99.72 | 131.78 | 92 |
| Net Income (Loss) | $ 69,026,000 | 65,392,000 | 61,649,000 | 50,316,000 |
| PEO Name | Mr. B. Francis Saul II | | | |
| Additional 402(v) Disclosure | The Company does not link CAP with net income, TSR, or any other financial performance measurement. The Compensation Committee believes that the annual salary, cash bonus, and options awarded to each of our NEOs during the periods presented reflected the scope of the role and responsibilities of the applicable position, individual performance and experience, and competitive market practices. The Compensation Committee believes that the annual salary, cash bonus, and options awarded to each of our NEOs maintain a level of total compensation that allows us to attract and retain executive officers who create and preserve sustainable stockholder value. | | | |
| Non-PEO NEO | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | $ (4,218) | (93,680) | 248,476 | (166,303) |
| Non-PEO NEO | Change In Option Awards [Member] | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | (136,350) | (172,350) | (95,360) | (17,250) |
| Non-PEO NEO | Change in Fair Value of Awards Granted in each Year and Unvested as of Year-End [Member] | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 203,625 | 138,825 | 156,800 | 29,438 |
| Non-PEO NEO | Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years, Unvested [Member] | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | (26,716) | (63,297) | 146,115 | (103,803) |
| Non-PEO NEO | Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years, Vested [Member] | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | (44,777) | 3,142 | 40,921 | (74,688) |
| Non-PEO NEO | Adjustment, Dividends or Other Earnings Paid During Year prior to Vesting Date of Award [Member] | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0 |
