Selma's Parking Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles parking rules a little differently. In Selma, California, there are 7 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.

RV & Boat Parking

Selma comprehensively regulates RV, boat, and trailer parking under SMC 10-10-33 and the 2024 Zoning Code Update, imposing restrictions on both street parking and on-property storage. Residents may temporarily park an RV on a residential street for up to 72 consecutive hours per month, but only for active loading or unloading purposes such as preparing for a trip or unpacking upon return. Long-term street storage of RVs, boats, or trailers is expressly prohibited. On private property, long-term storage, defined as keeping a vehicle, boat, or trailer in the same location for 48 hours or more, must comply with specific screening and surface requirements outlined in the 2024 Zoning Code Update Section 11-3.1(I)(2). All RVs, boats, and trailers stored outdoors on residential property must be screened from view from public streets, freeways, residential neighborhoods, and open spaces using a wall or fence that matches the primary structure in materials and appearance and complies with applicable height and setback regulations. Parking any of these vehicles on lawns, dirt, gravel, or any other unpaved surface visible from the street is prohibited. Driveway parking for trip preparation is permitted but limited to 48 hours. Living in a travel trailer or RV parked on residential or commercial property is forbidden under SMC 10-10-33(A) and 5-5-2.

Key details: Street Parking: 72 hours/month for loading only. Driveway Limit: 48 hours for trip prep. Screening: Required from public view. Unpaved Surfaces: Prohibited for parking. Habitation: Not permitted in RVs on property.

Code enforcement citations for non-compliant storage, screening violations, or unpaved surface parking. Vehicles stored in violation may be subject to abatement notices. Habitation of RVs on residential property is enforced through police and code enforcement departments.

Driveway Rules

Selma establishes specific requirements for driveway construction, use, and parking through the City of Selma Parking Manual (adopted January 2013) and the municipal code. All driveway approaches to private property must be constructed in conformance with the Standard Specifications of the Public Works Department, referencing specific engineering drawings ST-4, ST-5, ST-6, and ST-13 for design and construction details. Backing a vehicle onto or from a public right-of-way is prohibited in all areas except residential zones on streets classified as local streets, with public alleys exempt from this restriction. This rule is designed to reduce traffic conflicts and improve pedestrian safety on busier collector and arterial streets. All vehicles parked on residential property must be on paved, improved surfaces. Parking on front lawns, bare dirt, gravel, or any unpaved area visible from the street is strictly prohibited and enforced through code enforcement. Driveways must not be blocked or obstructed in a manner that prevents normal vehicle ingress and egress, and vehicles may not extend beyond the driveway into the public sidewalk or right-of-way. The driveway width and curb cut dimensions must meet city engineering standards applicable to the zoning district of the property.

Key details: Construction Standard: Public Works Drawings ST-4 to ST-13. Backing Onto Streets: Prohibited except local residential. Surface Requirement: Must be paved. Front Lawn Parking: Prohibited.

Parking on unpaved surfaces results in code enforcement citations. Unauthorized driveway construction or curb cuts may require removal and restoration at the property owner's expense. Vehicles blocking sidewalks or extending into the public right-of-way are subject to citation.

Street Parking Limits

Selma regulates street parking through a combination of local ordinances under SMC Title X, Chapter 10 (Stopping, Standing and Parking) and California Vehicle Code provisions that apply statewide. The fundamental time limit for street parking is the 72-hour rule established by California Vehicle Code Section 22651(k), which prohibits any vehicle from remaining parked in the same location on a public street for more than 72 consecutive hours. Selma layers additional local restrictions on top of this state law, including the two-hour commercial vehicle limit under SMC 10-10-26 and the 72-hours-per-month RV loading window under SMC 10-10-33(B). Street sweeping zones throughout the city require vehicles to be moved on posted days and times to allow for public works cleaning operations. Standard California Vehicle Code parking rules apply in Selma, including the prohibition on parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant under CVC 22514, the requirement to park with right-hand wheels within 18 inches of the curb per CVC 22502, and the prohibition on parking in marked red zones and fire lanes. The City of Selma Parking Manual, adopted in January 2013, provides supplemental standards for street parking throughout the city.

Key details: Time Limit: 72 hours max (CVC 22651(k)). Commercial Vehicles: 2 hours on city streets. RVs on Street: 72 hours/month, loading only. Curb Distance: 18 inches max (CVC 22502).

Parking citations issued for time limit violations, street sweeping zone infractions, and CVC violations. Vehicles exceeding the 72-hour limit may be towed per CVC 22651(k) at the owner's expense. Tow and storage fees accumulate daily.

Abandoned Vehicles

Selma enforces abandoned and inoperable vehicle abatement through a combination of local municipal code provisions and California Vehicle Code Sections 22651 and 22660, which provide the statutory framework for removing vehicles from both public streets and private property. On public streets, any vehicle parked for more than 72 consecutive hours is subject to citation and towing under CVC 22651(k). On private property, abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles are declared public nuisances under CVC 22660, which authorizes the City of Selma to initiate abatement proceedings that can result in the removal of the vehicle at the owner's expense. The city must provide written notice of intent to abate at least 10 days before removing a nuisance vehicle from private property, during which time the property owner may request an administrative hearing to contest the determination. Vehicles that are missing essential components such as engines, transmissions, or wheels, or that have registration expired for more than six months, are typically classified as inoperable and subject to abatement. Selma Code Enforcement handles complaints about abandoned and nuisance vehicles on both public and private property, investigating reports and initiating the appropriate enforcement process.

Key details: Street Limit: 72 hours (CVC 22651(k)). Private Property: Nuisance abatement (CVC 22660). Notice Period: 10 days written notice. Surface Requirement: Must be on paved surface.

Administrative citations for nuisance vehicles on private property. Vehicles on public streets exceeding 72 hours may be towed at the owner's expense per CVC 22651(k). Storage and towing fees accumulate daily until the vehicle is claimed. Costs of abatement from private property may be assessed as a lien against the property if unpaid.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Selma actively enforces its abandoned vehicles requirements.

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions

Selma strictly prohibits parking commercial trucks, truck tractors, and semi-trailers on residential streets under SMC 10-10-26, last updated by Ordinance 2021-4 on October 4, 2021. The prohibition is absolute for residential streets, meaning no commercial motor truck as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 410, truck tractor as defined by CVC Section 655, or semi vehicle may be placed, parked, kept, or maintained on any residential street within the city at any time of day for any duration. On non-residential streets, alleys, rights-of-way, and highways other than state highways, commercial vehicles may not park for more than two consecutive hours unless located in areas specifically designated for commercial vehicle parking under SMC 10-10-27. The restriction targets vehicles that are not commonly found in residential neighborhoods, which typically includes large commercial rigs, box trucks, construction equipment haulers, and heavy-duty vehicles. Standard personal-use pickup trucks are generally not affected by this ordinance. The regulation reflects Selma's position along the Highway 99 corridor, where commercial truck traffic is heavy and the temptation to park commercial vehicles on city streets rather than in designated truck stops or private lots must be managed.

Key details: Code Section: SMC 10-10-26. Residential Streets: Commercial vehicles prohibited. Non-Residential Limit: 2 hours maximum. Last Updated: Ordinance 2021-4 (Oct 2021).

Violations of SMC 10-10-26 result in parking citations issued by the Selma Police Department. Vehicles parked in excess of the two-hour limit on non-residential streets may be towed at the owner's expense. Repeated violations may result in escalating fines.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Selma actively enforces its commercial vehicle restrictions requirements.

Overnight Parking

Selma does not impose a blanket overnight parking ban on residential streets, making it more permissive than many California cities that restrict parking during late-night hours. Personal passenger vehicles may be parked on residential streets overnight, provided they remain in compliance with the 72-hour maximum parking duration under California Vehicle Code Section 22651(k) and are not blocking driveways, fire hydrants, red zones, or other restricted areas. However, specific vehicle categories face additional overnight restrictions even in the absence of a general ban. Commercial motor trucks, truck tractors, and semi-trailers are prohibited from parking on residential streets at all times, including overnight, under SMC 10-10-26. Recreational vehicles and trailers are limited to the 72-hour-per-month loading window under SMC 10-10-33(B), which means overnight RV parking is only permitted during an active loading or unloading period. Vehicles parked overnight must comply with all posted restrictions including street sweeping schedules, which may require vehicles to be moved during early morning hours on certain days. The Selma Police Department handles overnight parking enforcement and responds to complaints about vehicles parked in violation of applicable restrictions.

Key details: Overnight Ban: No blanket ban. 72-Hour Rule: Applies to all vehicles. Commercial Trucks: Prohibited on residential streets 24/7. RVs Overnight: Only during 72-hr loading window.

Parking citations issued by the Selma Police Department for violations of posted restrictions. Vehicles blocking driveways, fire hydrants, or fire lanes may be towed immediately at any hour. Commercial vehicle violations on residential streets are enforced 24 hours a day.

EV Charging

Selma follows California's statewide EV charging infrastructure mandates under AB 1236 (Government Code 65850.7) and AB 970, which require all cities and counties to adopt streamlined, ministerial permitting processes for electric vehicle charging station installations. Under these laws, applications for compliant EV charging stations must be approved administratively without discretionary review, and local zoning regulations cannot prohibit EV charging stations in any zoning district. AB 970, enacted in 2021, further tightened permitting timelines by requiring jurisdictions to determine whether an application is complete within 5 business days for projects with fewer than 26 charging stations, or within 10 business days for larger installations. Once an application is deemed complete, it must be approved or denied promptly based solely on health and safety requirements of applicable law. The California Building Code also requires new residential and commercial construction to include EV-ready electrical infrastructure, ensuring that future charger installation is straightforward. For residential properties in Selma, Level 1 and Level 2 EV charger installations typically require only an electrical permit processed through the Selma Building Division within Community Development. HOAs in Selma cannot unreasonably restrict EV charger installation under California Civil Code Section 4745.

Key details: State Law: AB 1236 / AB 970. Permit Type: Ministerial (streamlined). Zoning: Allowed in all zones. Timeline: 5-10 business days for completeness. HOA Restrictions: Cannot unreasonably deny (CC 4745).

No penalties for installing compliant EV chargers with proper permits. Cities that fail to provide streamlined permitting face enforcement by the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development. Unpermitted electrical work for charger installation may result in code enforcement action and required corrections.

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

The Bottom Line

Selma is tougher than many cities when it comes to parking rules. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Selma, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

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.