How Selma Handles Animal Ordinances: A Practical Guide

Selma maintains 97 local ordinances across all categories, and 7 of those deal specifically with animal ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Selma falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Dog Leash Laws

Selma Municipal Code Title 6 Chapter 2 prohibits dogs from running at large within city limits. Dogs must be restrained by leash, chain, or other tethering device when off the owner's property, and animal control officers are authorized to impound any animal found roaming freely.

Key details: Code Reference: SMC 6-2-11. Leash Length: Six feet maximum. Licensing Required: Dogs over 4 months. Enforcement: Animal Control officers. Rabies Vaccine: Required by state law.

Allowing a dog to run at large is a misdemeanor under Selma Municipal Code. Violations may result in impoundment of the animal, citation fines, and court appearances for repeat offenders.

Wildlife Feeding

Selma does not have a specific ordinance prohibiting wildlife feeding. However, feeding wildlife that attracts nuisance animals or creates unsanitary conditions may be addressed under general nuisance provisions of the municipal code and state fish and wildlife regulations.

Key details: Specific Ban: No standalone ordinance. Nuisance Standard: SMC Title 8 applies. Bird Feeders: Generally permitted if sanitary. State Guidance: CDFW discourages wildlife feeding.

Wildlife feeding that creates a nuisance may result in code enforcement action under SMC Title 8. Violations typically begin with a notice to abate the nuisance condition within a specified timeframe.

The rules around wildlife feeding in Selma lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Exotic Pets

Exotic pet ownership in Selma is primarily regulated by California Department of Fish and Wildlife under Title 14 Section 671 of the California Code of Regulations. The state maintains a restricted species list that prohibits possession of most wild and exotic animals without a special permit.

Key details: Governing Law: CA Code of Regs Title 14 Sec 671. Banned Species: Ferrets, hedgehogs, primates, big cats. Permit Authority: CA Dept of Fish and Wildlife. Local Enforcement: Selma Animal Control. First Offense: Up to $1,000 fine.

Possession of a restricted species without a permit is a misdemeanor under California Fish and Game Code. Penalties include fines up to $1,000 and confiscation of the animal for a first offense.

Chickens & Livestock

Selma regulates the keeping of fowl, livestock, and wild animals under SMC Title VI, Chapter 2 (Animals), Section 6-2-21 (Prohibition of Fowl, Livestock and Wild Animals), which restricts or prohibits keeping such animals in certain areas based on zoning classification and lot characteristics. The keeping of chickens, roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other poultry, as well as goats, sheep, hogs, cattle, horses, and other livestock, is generally prohibited in standard residential zoning districts where lot sizes are typical of urban development. Agricultural zones and properties with larger parcels may allow livestock and poultry keeping subject to conditions designed to prevent nuisance impacts on neighbors. The City of Selma Animal Services Division, located at 2831 W. Front Street, enforces animal keeping regulations and responds to complaints about prohibited animals on residential properties. Animals kept in any zone must be maintained in sanitary conditions and may not create a nuisance through excessive noise such as rooster crowing, offensive odors from animal waste, attraction of flies and vermin, or unsanitary conditions presenting public health concerns. Residents considering keeping chickens or livestock should verify zoning eligibility with the Selma Community Development Department before acquiring animals, as violations can result in mandatory removal.

Key details: Code Section: SMC 6-2-21. Residential Zones: Livestock generally prohibited. Agricultural Zones: May allow animal keeping. Animal Services: 2831 W. Front St, (559) 218-1937.

Violations of SMC 6-2-21 may result in animal control citations, required removal of animals, and administrative fines. Nuisance complaints from neighbors regarding noise, odor, or unsanitary conditions can trigger enforcement action. Repeat violations carry escalating penalties and may result in impoundment of animals.

Breed Restrictions

Selma does not impose breed-specific restrictions on any dog breed, consistent with California state law that explicitly prohibits breed-specific legislation. California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 states that no city or county program for the control of potentially dangerous or vicious dogs may regulate dogs in a manner that is specific as to breed. This means Selma cannot ban, restrict, or impose special requirements on pit bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Dobermans, or any other breed based solely on the dog's breed identity. Instead, Selma regulates dangerous and vicious animals through a behavior-based system established in SMC 6-2-31 through 6-2-36, which provides a structured administrative process for identifying, classifying, and managing individual dogs that have demonstrated dangerous or vicious behavior through specific documented incidents. Under state law, a dog may be declared potentially dangerous if it has engaged in unprovoked aggressive behavior on two separate occasions within a 36-month period that required a person to take defensive action. A dog is declared vicious if it inflicts severe injury or death on a human being without provocation. The City of Selma Animal Services Division administers the dangerous and vicious animal program, conducting investigations, scheduling hearings, and enforcing conditions imposed on owners of declared dangerous or vicious dogs.

Key details: Breed Bans: Prohibited by state law (FAC 31683). Dangerous Dog: Based on behavior, not breed. Code Sections: SMC 6-2-31 through 6-2-36. Hearing Process: Formal determination required. Vicious Standard: Severe injury or death without provocation.

Owners of dangerous dogs face mandatory containment, warning sign, insurance, and spay/neuter requirements. Vicious dogs may be ordered humanely destroyed. Failure to comply with dangerous dog conditions can result in criminal misdemeanor charges, seizure of the animal, and fines.

Livestock

Livestock keeping in Selma is regulated through the zoning ordinance in SMC Title 11, which restricts large animals to agricultural and certain rural residential zones. Keeping horses, cattle, goats, sheep, or swine on standard residential lots is generally prohibited.

Key details: Residential Zones: Large livestock generally prohibited. Agricultural Zones: Livestock permitted with conditions. Code Reference: SMC Title 11 Zoning. Animal Care: SMC Title 6 Chapter 2. County Authority: Fresno Co Ag Commissioner.

Keeping livestock in a prohibited zone is a zoning violation subject to code enforcement action. Violations may result in notices to comply, administrative citations, and fines for noncompliance.

Beekeeping

Selma does not have a standalone beekeeping ordinance in its municipal code. Beekeeping on residential property is generally governed by Fresno County regulations and California Food and Agricultural Code provisions regarding apiaries, which require registration with the county agricultural commissioner.

Key details: City Ordinance: No specific beekeeping code. State Registration: Required with county ag commissioner. Governing Law: CA Food and Ag Code 29000+. Nuisance Standard: General nuisance provisions apply.

Beekeeping that creates a nuisance may be addressed under Selma general nuisance provisions. Failure to register apiaries with the county agricultural commissioner may result in state-level penalties.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Selma gives residents more flexibility on beekeeping.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Selma gives residents more room on animal ordinances. 2 of the 7 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Selma can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.