How Selma Handles Rental Property Rules: A Practical Guide

Selma maintains 97 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with rental property rules. 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.

Rent Control

Selma has no local rent control ordinance but is covered by California AB 1482. Covered units are subject to an annual rent cap of 5 percent plus CPI, maximum 10 percent total.

Key details: State Law: CA Civil Code 1947.12 (AB 1482). Rent Cap: 5 percent plus CPI, max 10 percent. Exempt Buildings: Less than 15 years old. Local Rent Board: None. Single-Family Exempt: Yes, with written notice if not corporate owner.

A landlord who increases rent beyond the statutory cap may be liable for the excess amount collected, plus damages and attorney fees. Tenants may pursue remedies in Fresno County Superior Court. There are no local administrative penalties since Selma relies entirely on state law enforcement mechanisms.

Rental Registration

Selma does not operate a mandatory rental registration program or proactive rental inspection program. Landlords must obtain a city business license but are not required to register individual rental units with the city.

Key details: Rental Registry: None required. Business License: Required under SMC Title 5. Inspection Program: None - complaint-based. Habitability Standard: CA Civil Code 1941.1. Contact: Code Enforcement 559-891-2207.

Substandard housing violations may result in notices to correct, citations, and in severe cases orders to vacate under California Health and Safety Code Section 17980. Tenants may also pursue rent withholding or repair-and-deduct remedies under Civil Code 1942.

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

Just Cause Eviction

Selma follows California AB 1482 for just-cause eviction. Landlords of covered units must cite a statutory at-fault or no-fault reason under Civil Code 1946.2 to terminate tenancies of 12+ months.

Key details: State Law: CA Civil Code 1946.2 (AB 1482). Trigger: 12 months of tenancy. No-Fault Relocation: 1 month rent or final month waiver. Local Ordinance: None beyond state law.

Wrongful eviction in violation of AB 1482 exposes landlords to actual damages, statutory penalties, injunctive relief, and tenant attorney fees in Fresno County Superior Court. Selma does not have a local eviction review board or administrative remedy.

The Bottom Line

Selma's rental property rules 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.

These rules come from Selma's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.