Animal Ordinances in Selma, CA (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Selma, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Selma regulates the keeping of fowl, livestock, and wild animals under SMC Title VI, Chapter 2 (Animals), Section 6-2-21 (Prohibition of Fowl, Livestock and Wild Animals), which restricts or prohibits keeping such animals in certain areas based on zoning classification and lot characteristics. The keeping of chickens, roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other poultry, as well as goats, sheep, hogs, cattle, horses, and other livestock, is generally prohibited in standard residential zoning districts where lot sizes are typical of urban development. Agricultural zones and properties with larger parcels may allow livestock and poultry keeping subject to conditions designed to prevent nuisance impacts on neighbors. The City of Selma Animal Services Division, located at 2831 W. Front Street, enforces animal keeping regulations and responds to complaints about prohibited animals on residential properties. Animals kept in any zone must be maintained in sanitary conditions and may not create a nuisance through excessive noise such as rooster crowing, offensive odors from animal waste, attraction of flies and vermin, or unsanitary conditions presenting public health concerns. Residents considering keeping chickens or livestock should verify zoning eligibility with the Selma Community Development Department before acquiring animals, as violations can result in mandatory removal.
Selma Chickens and Livestock Keeping Rules
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Selma Municipal Code Title 6 Chapter 2 prohibits dogs from running at large within city limits. Dogs must be restrained by leash, chain, or other tethering device when off the owner's property, and animal control officers are authorized to impound any animal found roaming freely.
Selma Dog Leash and At-Large Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Selma does not impose breed-specific restrictions on any dog breed, consistent with California state law that explicitly prohibits breed-specific legislation. California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 states that no city or county program for the control of potentially dangerous or vicious dogs may regulate dogs in a manner that is specific as to breed. This means Selma cannot ban, restrict, or impose special requirements on pit bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Dobermans, or any other breed based solely on the dog's breed identity. Instead, Selma regulates dangerous and vicious animals through a behavior-based system established in SMC 6-2-31 through 6-2-36, which provides a structured administrative process for identifying, classifying, and managing individual dogs that have demonstrated dangerous or vicious behavior through specific documented incidents. Under state law, a dog may be declared potentially dangerous if it has engaged in unprovoked aggressive behavior on two separate occasions within a 36-month period that required a person to take defensive action. A dog is declared vicious if it inflicts severe injury or death on a human being without provocation. The City of Selma Animal Services Division administers the dangerous and vicious animal program, conducting investigations, scheduling hearings, and enforcing conditions imposed on owners of declared dangerous or vicious dogs.
Selma Dog Breed Restrictions and Dangerous Animal Rules
Some RestrictionsBeekeeping
Selma does not have a standalone beekeeping ordinance in its municipal code. Beekeeping on residential property is generally governed by Fresno County regulations and California Food and Agricultural Code provisions regarding apiaries, which require registration with the county agricultural commissioner.
Selma Beekeeping Regulations
Few RestrictionsExotic Pets
Exotic pet ownership in Selma is primarily regulated by California Department of Fish and Wildlife under Title 14 Section 671 of the California Code of Regulations. The state maintains a restricted species list that prohibits possession of most wild and exotic animals without a special permit.
Selma Exotic Pet Ownership Rules
Some RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Selma does not have a specific ordinance prohibiting wildlife feeding. However, feeding wildlife that attracts nuisance animals or creates unsanitary conditions may be addressed under general nuisance provisions of the municipal code and state fish and wildlife regulations.
Selma Wildlife Feeding Restrictions
Few RestrictionsLivestock
Livestock keeping in Selma is regulated through the zoning ordinance in SMC Title 11, which restricts large animals to agricultural and certain rural residential zones. Keeping horses, cattle, goats, sheep, or swine on standard residential lots is generally prohibited.
Selma Livestock Keeping Regulations
Some RestrictionsLooking for Fresno County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Selma city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Fresno County →