Selma's Outdoor Lighting: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles outdoor lighting a little differently. In Selma, California, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Dark Sky Rules

Selma has no standalone dark-sky ordinance. Outdoor lighting is regulated through zoning performance standards requiring fixtures to be directed and shielded to prevent glare on adjacent properties.

Key details: Dark-Sky Ordinance: None adopted. Lighting Standards: Zoning ordinance performance standards. State Requirement: Title 24 Part 6 energy efficiency. Enforcement: Code Enforcement complaint-based.

Violations of lighting standards in the zoning ordinance are handled through code enforcement. Excessive lighting that constitutes a nuisance may be addressed under the general nuisance abatement provisions of SMC Chapter 8-7.

Selma is more permissive than most cities when it comes to dark sky rules. That said, there are still limits.

Light Trespass

Selma addresses light trespass through zoning performance standards and nuisance provisions. Outdoor lighting must be shielded to prevent illumination from spilling onto adjacent properties.

Key details: Footcandle Limits: Not numerically specified. Standard: No direct visibility of light source at property line. Commercial Review: Site plan review required. Enforcement: Complaint-based via Code Enforcement.

Light trespass complaints are handled through Code Enforcement. Property owners who fail to correct excessive lighting after notice face the standard nuisance abatement process including courtesy notice, citation, and potential city-performed abatement with costs recovered through property liens.

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

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Selma gives residents more room on outdoor lighting. 2 of the 2 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.