Interim Results (Unaudited) - Summary of Results of Operations for Quarterly Periods (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 54,201	$ 53,233	$ 52,710	$ 56,926		$ 52,376	$ 51,711	$ 52,088	$ 52,902	$ 217,070	$ 209,077	$ 207,092
Operating income before loss on early extinguishment of debt, gain on casualty settlement, and noncontrolling interests	13,360	12,722	13,250	16,381		13,238	12,922	12,687	14,083	55,713	52,930	51,929
Gains on sales of properties	1,013	0	0	0	$ 0	0	11	0		1,013	11	6,069
Net income attributable to Saul Centers, Inc.	11,465	10,239	10,627	12,948		10,615	10,396	10,207	11,250	45,279	42,468	46,943
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 8,371	$ 7,146	$ 7,533	$ 9,854		$ 7,522	$ 7,302	$ 7,113	$ 8,156	$ 32,904	$ 30,093	$ 32,102
Net income available to common stockholders per diluted share (in usd per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.33	$ 0.35	$ 0.46		$ 0.36	$ 0.35	$ 0.33	$ 0.38	$ 1.52	$ 1.42	$ 1.54