The effect of ionic strength on adsorption of chitosan on mica as well as the impact of addition of an anionic surfactant, SDS, on the adsorbed chitosan layers is explored. It is demonstrated by chemical surface analysis (ESCA) and surface force measurements (SFA) that an elevated salt concentration leads to larger adsorbed amounts and thicker adsorption layers of this cationic polyelectrolyte. It is also shown that in contrast to the bulk, the binding of oppositely charged surfactant to the polyelectrolyte adsorbed on a negatively charged surface is facilitated by elevated ionic strength. Thus, the association process in bulk and at solid-liquid interfaces is rather different. The main point of difference is that at the solid-liquid interface one also has to consider interactions between the polyelectrolyte and the surface as well as between the surfactant and the surface.