Landscaping Rules in Selma, CA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Selma or are thinking about moving there, landscaping rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Selma has 8 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of landscaping rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Native Plants

Selma does not mandate native plant landscaping for existing residential properties but follows California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) for new construction and major renovations. The MWELO encourages climate-appropriate and drought-tolerant plantings suited to the San Joaquin Valley.

Key details: State Standard: MWELO (Title 23 CCR). Threshold: New projects over 500 sq ft. Existing Homes: No native plant mandate. Climate Zone: San Joaquin Valley, hot-dry. Lawn Replacement: Permitted, no local ban.

New construction or major landscape projects that fail to meet MWELO water efficiency requirements may not receive plan approval from the Selma Building Department.

Selma is more permissive than most cities when it comes to native plants. That said, there are still limits.

Artificial Turf

Selma does not prohibit artificial turf installation on residential properties. Synthetic lawn is an accepted alternative to natural grass and is increasingly popular in the drought-prone San Joaquin Valley as a water conservation measure.

Key details: City Restriction: None, turf is permitted. HOA Protection: CA Civil Code 4735. Permit Required: Generally no. Drainage: Must maintain existing patterns. Heat Concern: Surface gets hot in summer.

Artificial turf that is poorly maintained, creating visual blight or pest issues, could be addressed under general nuisance provisions. No penalties apply for properly installed and maintained synthetic lawn.

Selma is more permissive than most cities when it comes to artificial turf. That said, there are still limits.

Weed Ordinances

Selma declares weeds, dead vegetation, and combustible plant material on private property to be a public nuisance under SMC Title 8. The city conducts annual weed abatement enforcement requiring property owners to clear lots before fire season, with city-performed abatement costs assessed as liens against noncompliant properties.

Key details: Code Reference: SMC Title 8 Chapter 7. Abatement Deadline: Before dry fire season. Repeat Offenders: No courtesy notice after 2nd offense. Cost Recovery: Lien against property. Contact: Community Development Director.

Weed nuisance violations may result in administrative citations, city-performed abatement at owner cost, and property liens. Third and subsequent offenses skip courtesy notice and go directly to citation.

Grass Height Limits

Selma Municipal Code Title 8 classifies overgrown weeds, grass, and vegetation as a public nuisance subject to abatement. Property owners must keep grass and weeds cut to prevent fire hazards, pest harboring, and visual blight, with the city authorized to abate at the owner's expense if not corrected.

Key details: Code Reference: SMC Section 8-7. Height Limit: No specific inch limit stated. Standard: Must not create nuisance or hazard. Repeat Offenses: No courtesy notice, immediate citation. City Abatement: Costs become property lien.

Failure to maintain vegetation constitutes a nuisance under SMC Title 8. The city may abate at owner expense, with costs becoming a lien against the property. Repeat offenders face immediate citations without courtesy notice.

Water Restrictions

Selma enforces water conservation measures that include outdoor watering schedules and prohibitions on water waste. As a San Joaquin Valley city in drought-prone Fresno County, Selma follows state water conservation mandates and may implement tiered restrictions during declared drought emergencies.

Key details: Watering Schedule: Odd/even address day system. Runoff: Prohibited onto streets or sidewalks. State Rules: Permanent water waste bans apply. Drought Stages: Tiered restrictions possible. Region: San Joaquin Valley, drought-prone.

Water waste violations are enforced through warnings for first offenses, followed by fines for repeat violations. During declared drought emergencies, penalties increase and may include surcharges on water bills.

Tree Trimming

Selma requires property owners to maintain trees so they do not encroach on public sidewalks, streets, or rights-of-way. SMC Title 10 Chapter 7 addresses encroachments and requires adequate vertical clearance over sidewalks and roadways for pedestrian and vehicle safety.

Key details: Sidewalk Clearance: Minimum 8 feet above grade. Street Clearance: Minimum 14 feet above roadway. Permit Required: Not for routine trimming. Power Lines: Coordinate with PG&E. Code Reference: SMC Title 10 / Chapter 7.

Failure to trim trees encroaching on public rights-of-way after notice may result in the city performing the work and charging costs to the property owner. Obstructing sidewalks or streets is a code violation.

Selma is more permissive than most cities when it comes to tree trimming. That said, there are still limits.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Selma does not have a heritage tree ordinance or blanket tree removal permit requirement for private property. Property owners may generally remove trees on their own lots without a city permit, though trees in the public right-of-way are managed by the city public works department.

Key details: Private Tree Permit: Generally not required. Heritage Tree Ordinance: None. Street Trees: City-managed, removal needs approval. Development Projects: May require replacement planting. Contact: Public Works Department.

Removing city-owned street trees without authorization is a code violation. Damage to public trees may result in fines and required replacement at the offender's expense.

Selma is more permissive than most cities when it comes to tree removal & heritage trees. That said, there are still limits.

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is legal in Selma under California's Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (AB 1750). Residents may collect rainwater from rooftops for non-potable uses such as landscape irrigation without a state water right permit, and no local permit is required for most residential rain barrel systems.

Key details: Legal Authority: CA AB 1750 (2012). Permit Required: No for systems under 5,000 gal. Allowed Uses: Irrigation, toilet flushing. Collection Limit: No state cap for personal use. Potable Use: Prohibited without treatment.

Rainwater harvesting for permitted non-potable uses carries no penalties. Using harvested rainwater for potable purposes without proper treatment may violate health and safety codes.

Selma is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rainwater harvesting. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Selma gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 5 of the 8 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.

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.