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.
The City of Selma has not adopted a dedicated dark-sky ordinance or International Dark-Sky Association-compliant lighting code. Outdoor lighting standards are incorporated into the city zoning ordinance under general development and performance standards. These provisions require outdoor lighting fixtures to be directed downward and shielded so that the light source is not directly visible from adjacent properties or public rights-of-way. New commercial and multi-family developments must submit a lighting plan as part of site plan review. California also imposes statewide energy efficiency requirements through Title 24 Part 6 of the Building Standards Code, which includes outdoor lighting power allowances and controls for new construction and major renovations. Selma, as an agricultural community in the Central Valley, does not face the same light pollution pressures as urban areas but still enforces basic nuisance-level protections against excessive or misdirected lighting.
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, CA
Selma establishes decibel measurement criteria in Section 6-17-3 and monitoring procedures in Section 6-17-4. The prima facie violation threshold is 5 dB ove...
Selma, CA
Selma regulates amplified music through both its general noise ordinance (SMC 6-17-5) and public address system rules (SMC 6-17-8). Amplified sound exceeding...
Selma, CA
Selma applies the same 5 dB-over-ambient standard to industrial noise under SMC Chapter 17. The city has industrial and commercial zones along Highway 99 and...
Selma, CA
Selma addresses barking dogs under Section 6-2-10, which prohibits excessive noise and nuisance from animals. Dogs causing repeated disturbances through loud...
Selma, CA
Selma is not located near a major commercial airport. The nearest airports are Fresno Yosemite International (FAT), about 20 miles north, and Selma-based agr...
Selma, CA
Selma does not impose a blanket overnight parking ban on residential streets, making it more permissive than many California cities that restrict parking dur...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Fresno County.
See how other cities in Fresno County handle dark sky rules.
See how Selma's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.