Before You Build in Selma, CA: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Selma follows California's Good Neighbor Fence Act (Civil Code Sections 841 through 841.4) for shared boundary fences, which establishes a presumption that adjoining landowners share equally in the responsibility for maintaining the boundary fence between their properties. This state law provides a structured process for one property owner to notify their neighbor of the need to repair or replace a shared boundary fence, including a mandatory 30-day response period and cost-sharing provisions that can be enforced through small claims court if the neighbor refuses to contribute. Within Selma, SMC 11-20-14 governs the height, materials, and placement standards for fences on boundary lines, allowing up to six feet in side and rear yard boundary locations. The city does not have a local ordinance requiring the finished or more attractive side of a fence to face the neighboring property, though this practice is considered good neighborly conduct. Corner lots and properties near intersections must comply with visibility triangle requirements that limit fence heights to 42 inches or less within the sight triangle area to maintain safe sight lines for traffic. Property owners should verify exact property boundaries through a professional survey before constructing a fence on or near a boundary line, as encroachment onto a neighbor's property can create legal disputes over trespass and required removal.

Retaining walls in Selma require a building permit when they exceed 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, as established by the California Building Code Section 105.2. This height threshold determines whether the wall requires engineered plans and structural review by the Selma Building Division, which is part of the Community Development Department. Retaining walls that support a surcharge, such as a driveway, building foundation, swimming pool, or sloped embankment above the wall, may require permits regardless of height because the additional loading creates structural demands beyond those of a simple earth-retaining wall. The Selma Building Division reviews retaining wall plans for structural adequacy, proper drainage provisions, and compliance with setback requirements for the applicable zoning district. Adequate drainage behind retaining walls is critical in Selma's Central Valley climate, where winter rains and irrigation runoff can create significant hydrostatic pressure against wall structures. Retaining walls that also function as boundary fences between properties are subject to the combined height limitations of SMC 11-20-14, meaning the total height of the retaining wall plus any fence on top is measured from the lower grade level and must comply with the applicable maximum for that location on the property.

Standard residential fences up to six feet in Selma generally do not require a building permit under the California Building Code exemption for fences not exceeding 7 feet in height, as established in CBC Section 105.2. This means that typical wood, vinyl, chain-link, and wrought iron residential fences can be installed without obtaining a building permit from the Selma Building Division, provided they comply with the height, location, and material requirements of SMC 11-20-14. However, several types of fence and wall construction do require building permits, including masonry block walls, concrete walls, retaining walls that retain more than 4 feet of unbalanced fill, and any fence or wall that exceeds 7 feet in height. The 2024 Zoning Ordinance Update addresses fence and wall standards through the Community Development Department and introduces specific requirements for screening walls used to conceal RV and equipment storage. A six-foot solid masonry fence wall is required by the developer at the interface between areas zoned C (Commercial), M (Manufacturing), or R-O (Residential-Office) and any adjacent residential area for noise abatement, and this required masonry wall must be installed at the time of construction. Fence modifications near Highway 99 may require additional Planning Commission review.

Selma enforces the California Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health and Safety Code Sections 115920 through 115929), which requires at least two approved drowning prevention safety features for all new or remodeled residential swimming pools and spas at private single-family homes. Pool barriers that serve as one of these required safety features must meet stringent physical specifications, including a minimum height of 60 inches, a maximum ground clearance of 2 inches, gaps no larger than 4 inches between slats or pickets, and an exterior surface free of protrusions or handholds that would enable a child under five years old to climb over. All pool barrier gates must be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch mechanism positioned at least 54 inches above the ground or otherwise designed to prevent operation by young children. The Selma Building Division inspects pool barriers as part of the final approval process for swimming pool construction permits, and pools that do not meet the barrier requirements will not receive final inspection approval. The Safety Act provides seven categories of approved drowning prevention features, giving property owners flexibility in how they achieve the mandatory two-feature minimum while maintaining the fundamental goal of preventing unsupervised child access to pool water.

Selma regulates fence and wall heights through SMC 11-20-14 (Fences; Walls; Hedges), which permits six-foot high fences, walls, and shrubs in side and rear yards but imposes lower limits in front yards to maintain neighborhood visibility and streetscape character. In the required front yard, open fences and shrubs may not exceed 48 inches in height, while solid walls and fences are further restricted to a maximum of 42 inches. The distinction between open and solid fences affects the maximum permitted height by six inches, with the more see-through design earning a slightly higher allowance due to its lesser impact on street visibility. All fences, walls, and hedges include gates as part of the definition, and gates are subject to the same height limits as the fence or wall they serve. A critical safety provision requires all fences and shrubs exceeding 42 inches in height to be set back a minimum of ten feet from the street-side property line when a private driveway accesses a public right-of-way through the side yard, ensuring adequate visibility for vehicles entering and exiting the property. Open or lattice-type fences up to six feet are permitted on school sites. The 2024 Zoning Code Update added provisions for screening walls up to 15 feet for RV and equipment storage.

Selma requires 60-inch pool barriers with self-closing, self-latching gates per California Swimming Pool Safety Act. At least two drowning prevention features required.

Hot tubs in Selma need ASTM F1346 safety covers or pool barriers. Electrical permits and GFCI protection required. Spa water must drain to sanitary sewer.

Swimming pool construction in Selma requires a building permit from the Selma Building Department. All pools must comply with the California Building Code, including the Swimming Pool Safety Act barrier requirements, electrical bonding standards, and plumbing code provisions for drainage and water supply connections.

Selma requires anti-entrapment drain covers, GFCI-protected outlets, and depth markers for residential pools. Fresno County inspects public and semi-public pools.

Above-ground pools in Selma need 60-inch barriers like in-ground pools. Walls under 60 inches require additional fencing. Permits needed for permanent installations.

Selma allows ADUs on any residential lot. Detached up to 1,000 sq ft, JADU up to 500 sq ft. Pre-approved plans available. Impact fees waived under 750 sq ft.

Selma allows garage-to-ADU conversions with no replacement parking required. Fire-rated separations and separate systems needed. Up to 150 sq ft expansion allowed.

Tiny homes on foundations are treated as ADUs in Selma (150-1,000 sq ft). Tiny homes on wheels are classified as RVs and cannot be permanent residences.

Sheds under 120 sq ft are permit-exempt in Selma. Larger sheds need building permits and must meet zoning setbacks. No habitable use without ADU compliance.

Carports in Selma require building permits and must meet setback and lot coverage limits. Open carports may have reduced setbacks. ADU conversion allowed without replacement parking.

Selma regulates outdoor fires under Title VII, Chapter 7 (Prohibited Burning). Open burning is generally prohibited within city limits under Section 7-7-1. Portable fire pits must comply with California Fire Code clearance requirements. The SJVAPCD Rule 4901 restricts wood-burning during curtailment days November through February.

Selma prohibits outdoor burning within city limits under Title VII, Chapter 7 of the Selma Municipal Code, specifically SMC 7-7-1 (Burning Prohibited). This prohibition applies to the burning of refuse, yard waste, leaves, construction debris, agricultural waste, and any other combustible materials on both residential and commercial properties throughout the city. The ban is reinforced by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) Rule 4103, which independently prohibits residential open burning across Fresno County and the entire San Joaquin Valley air basin due to the region's severe air quality challenges with particulate matter. Selma's location in the Central Valley makes air quality a persistent public health concern, and outdoor burning is one of the activities most strictly regulated. The Selma Fire Department enforces the local burning prohibition, while the SJVAPCD independently enforces air quality violations. Residents must use alternative disposal methods such as curbside green waste collection, composting, or hauling materials to approved disposal facilities. Barbecues and cooking appliances that use charcoal, propane, or natural gas remain exempt from these prohibitions when used exclusively for food preparation.

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.

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.

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.