How Selma Handles Fence Regulations: A Practical Guide

Selma maintains 97 local ordinances across all categories, and 7 of those deal specifically with fence regulations. 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.

Neighbor Fence Rules

Selma follows California's Good Neighbor Fence Act (Civil Code Sections 841 through 841.4) for shared boundary fences, which establishes a presumption that adjoining landowners share equally in the responsibility for maintaining the boundary fence between their properties. This state law provides a structured process for one property owner to notify their neighbor of the need to repair or replace a shared boundary fence, including a mandatory 30-day response period and cost-sharing provisions that can be enforced through small claims court if the neighbor refuses to contribute. Within Selma, SMC 11-20-14 governs the height, materials, and placement standards for fences on boundary lines, allowing up to six feet in side and rear yard boundary locations. The city does not have a local ordinance requiring the finished or more attractive side of a fence to face the neighboring property, though this practice is considered good neighborly conduct. Corner lots and properties near intersections must comply with visibility triangle requirements that limit fence heights to 42 inches or less within the sight triangle area to maintain safe sight lines for traffic. Property owners should verify exact property boundaries through a professional survey before constructing a fence on or near a boundary line, as encroachment onto a neighbor's property can create legal disputes over trespass and required removal.

Key details: State Law: CC 841 - Good Neighbor Fence Act. Cost Sharing: Presumed equal (50/50). Notice Period: 30 days written notice. Max Height (Side/Rear): 6 ft on boundary.

Disputes over shared fence costs may be resolved through small claims court under the Good Neighbor Fence Act. Fences encroaching onto neighboring property constitute trespass and may require removal. Visibility triangle violations near intersections are enforced by code enforcement for public safety.

Retaining Walls

Retaining walls in Selma require a building permit when they exceed 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, as established by the California Building Code Section 105.2. This height threshold determines whether the wall requires engineered plans and structural review by the Selma Building Division, which is part of the Community Development Department. Retaining walls that support a surcharge, such as a driveway, building foundation, swimming pool, or sloped embankment above the wall, may require permits regardless of height because the additional loading creates structural demands beyond those of a simple earth-retaining wall. The Selma Building Division reviews retaining wall plans for structural adequacy, proper drainage provisions, and compliance with setback requirements for the applicable zoning district. Adequate drainage behind retaining walls is critical in Selma's Central Valley climate, where winter rains and irrigation runoff can create significant hydrostatic pressure against wall structures. Retaining walls that also function as boundary fences between properties are subject to the combined height limitations of SMC 11-20-14, meaning the total height of the retaining wall plus any fence on top is measured from the lower grade level and must comply with the applicable maximum for that location on the property.

Key details: Permit Threshold: Over 4 ft requires permit. Engineered Plans: Required for walls over 4 ft. Drainage: Weep holes or perforated pipe. Combined Height: Fence + retaining = total height.

Unpermitted retaining walls exceeding 4 feet may require retroactive engineering evaluation, permit application with double fees, or removal at the owner's expense. Drainage violations affecting neighboring properties can result in code enforcement action and civil liability for damages. Failed retaining walls that create safety hazards may trigger emergency abatement.

Pool Barriers

Selma enforces the California Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health and Safety Code Sections 115920 through 115929), which requires at least two approved drowning prevention safety features for all new or remodeled residential swimming pools and spas at private single-family homes. Pool barriers that serve as one of these required safety features must meet stringent physical specifications, including a minimum height of 60 inches, a maximum ground clearance of 2 inches, gaps no larger than 4 inches between slats or pickets, and an exterior surface free of protrusions or handholds that would enable a child under five years old to climb over. All pool barrier gates must be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch mechanism positioned at least 54 inches above the ground or otherwise designed to prevent operation by young children. The Selma Building Division inspects pool barriers as part of the final approval process for swimming pool construction permits, and pools that do not meet the barrier requirements will not receive final inspection approval. The Safety Act provides seven categories of approved drowning prevention features, giving property owners flexibility in how they achieve the mandatory two-feature minimum while maintaining the fundamental goal of preventing unsupervised child access to pool water.

Key details: State Law: HSC 115920-115929. Minimum Height: 60 inches. Safety Features: At least 2 of 7 required. Gate: Self-closing, self-latching. Gap Maximum: 4 inches between slats.

Failure to install required pool barriers results in denied final inspection and no certificate of completion for the pool. Building a pool without a permit is a code enforcement violation subject to stop-work orders, fines, and required retroactive permitting. Property owners may face significant civil liability for pool drowning incidents where barriers were absent or non-compliant.

Compared to other cities, Selma takes a harder line on pool barriers. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Permit Requirements

Standard residential fences up to six feet in Selma generally do not require a building permit under the California Building Code exemption for fences not exceeding 7 feet in height, as established in CBC Section 105.2. This means that typical wood, vinyl, chain-link, and wrought iron residential fences can be installed without obtaining a building permit from the Selma Building Division, provided they comply with the height, location, and material requirements of SMC 11-20-14. However, several types of fence and wall construction do require building permits, including masonry block walls, concrete walls, retaining walls that retain more than 4 feet of unbalanced fill, and any fence or wall that exceeds 7 feet in height. The 2024 Zoning Ordinance Update addresses fence and wall standards through the Community Development Department and introduces specific requirements for screening walls used to conceal RV and equipment storage. A six-foot solid masonry fence wall is required by the developer at the interface between areas zoned C (Commercial), M (Manufacturing), or R-O (Residential-Office) and any adjacent residential area for noise abatement, and this required masonry wall must be installed at the time of construction. Fence modifications near Highway 99 may require additional Planning Commission review.

Key details: Permit Exemption: Fences under 7 ft (CBC 105.2). Masonry Walls: Permit typically required. Retaining Walls: Permit if over 4 ft. Barbed Wire: Commercial/industrial only. Razor Wire: Industrial zones only.

Unpermitted masonry walls or retaining walls may require engineering evaluation, retroactive permitting with fees, or removal at the owner's expense. Barbed wire in residential zones results in code enforcement citation and mandatory removal. Stop-work orders for non-compliant commercial-residential buffer walls.

Material Restrictions

Selma regulates fence materials by zoning district under SMC 11-20-14 and the 2024 Zoning Code Update Section 11-2.2(D), with the most significant restrictions applying to hazardous materials in residential areas. Barbed wire is strictly prohibited on fences in all residential zones within the city and is only permitted in commercial and industrial districts, where it is limited to a maximum of four single strands at the top of an otherwise standard fence. Concertina wire and razor wire face even greater restriction, being permitted only in areas zoned exclusively for industrial use. These material restrictions reflect the city's commitment to maintaining safe, neighborhood-compatible fencing while allowing appropriate security measures in commercial and industrial contexts. Screening walls and fences installed to conceal outdoor storage of RVs, boats, and equipment must match the primary residential structure in materials, color, and general appearance to maintain neighborhood aesthetics, as required by the 2024 Zoning Code Update. The required six-foot masonry wall at commercial-residential interfaces must be constructed of solid masonry materials capable of providing effective noise attenuation and visual screening. Standard residential fencing materials including wood, vinyl, chain-link, wrought iron, composite materials, and masonry block are generally accepted throughout Selma, provided they meet the applicable height requirements and are maintained in a safe, structurally sound condition.

Key details: Barbed Wire: Commercial/industrial only (4 strands max). Razor Wire: Industrial zones only. Residential Materials: Wood, vinyl, chain-link, wrought iron. Screening Fences: Must match primary structure.

Barbed wire or razor wire installed in residential zones results in immediate code enforcement citation and a deadline for removal at the property owner's expense. Unmaintained or hazardous fencing of any material may be cited under property maintenance standards. Screening fences that do not match the primary structure may receive violation notices under the 2024 Zoning Code Update provisions.

Fence Requirements

Selma's comprehensive fence requirements under SMC 11-20-14 establish a detailed regulatory framework covering height limits by yard location, material restrictions by zoning district, special provisions for commercial-residential buffer interfaces, and standards for screening outdoor storage. The ordinance requires a six-foot solid masonry wall at the boundary between any area zoned C (Commercial), M (Manufacturing), or R-O (Residential-Office) and any adjacent residential area, serving as a noise and visual buffer that must be installed by the developer at the time of construction. In residential zones, standard fences may be up to six feet in side and rear yards, while front yards are limited to 48 inches for open fences and 42 inches for solid walls to maintain neighborhood visibility and streetscape character. Gates are included in the definition of fences, walls, and hedges and are subject to the same height restrictions as the fence they serve. Corner lot properties must comply with sight triangle visibility requirements at intersections, limiting fence height to 42 inches or less within the designated sight area. The 2024 Zoning Code Update consolidated and modernized fence standards, incorporating new provisions for screening requirements, RV storage enclosures, and updated development standards that work in conjunction with the existing SMC 11-20-14 framework.

Key details: Code Section: SMC 11-20-14. Residential Max: 6 ft side/rear, 42-48 in front. Commercial Buffer: 6 ft masonry wall required. Corner Lots: 42 in sight triangle. Advertising: Not permitted on fences.

Non-compliant fences result in code enforcement citations with deadlines for correction. Developers who fail to install required masonry buffer walls face stop-work orders and withheld certificates of occupancy. Dilapidated or unmaintained fences may be cited under property maintenance standards. Advertising on fences violates sign ordinance provisions.

Height Limits

Selma regulates fence and wall heights through SMC 11-20-14 (Fences; Walls; Hedges), which permits six-foot high fences, walls, and shrubs in side and rear yards but imposes lower limits in front yards to maintain neighborhood visibility and streetscape character. In the required front yard, open fences and shrubs may not exceed 48 inches in height, while solid walls and fences are further restricted to a maximum of 42 inches. The distinction between open and solid fences affects the maximum permitted height by six inches, with the more see-through design earning a slightly higher allowance due to its lesser impact on street visibility. All fences, walls, and hedges include gates as part of the definition, and gates are subject to the same height limits as the fence or wall they serve. A critical safety provision requires all fences and shrubs exceeding 42 inches in height to be set back a minimum of ten feet from the street-side property line when a private driveway accesses a public right-of-way through the side yard, ensuring adequate visibility for vehicles entering and exiting the property. Open or lattice-type fences up to six feet are permitted on school sites. The 2024 Zoning Code Update added provisions for screening walls up to 15 feet for RV and equipment storage.

Key details: Code Section: SMC 11-20-14. Side/Rear Yards: 6 ft maximum. Front Yard (Open): 48 inches maximum. Front Yard (Solid): 42 inches maximum. Driveway Setback: 10 ft for fences over 42 in.

Non-compliant fences are subject to code enforcement action, including notice of violation and orders to reduce height or relocate the fence. Property owners bear the cost of bringing fences into compliance. Visibility obstruction violations near driveways and intersections are prioritized for public safety reasons.

The Bottom Line

Selma's fence regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Selma is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Selma's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.