Selma, CA Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)

The City of Selma Parking Manual, adopted on January 1, 2013, supplements the municipal code with detailed standards for driveway design, construction, and use throughout the city. These standards work in conjunction with the zoning ordinance and public works specifications to ensure that driveways are safe, functional, and consistent with neighborhood character. Driveway approaches, which are the portion of the driveway that crosses the public right-of-way between the street and the property line, must be constructed according to the Standard Specifications of the Selma Public Works Department. The specific engineering drawings referenced include ST-4, ST-5, ST-6, and ST-13, each of which addresses different aspects of driveway approach design including width, thickness, slope, and materials. Residents who wish to construct a new driveway, widen an existing one, or modify a curb cut must obtain approval from the Public Works Department and may need an encroachment permit for work within the public right-of-way. The prohibition on backing vehicles onto or from public rights-of-way is an important safety regulation that applies to all streets classified above local residential level. This means that on collector streets, arterial streets, and other major roadways, drivers must design their driveway use so that they can enter and exit in a forward-facing direction. On local residential streets and in public alleys, backing maneuvers are permitted. This requirement may influence driveway design decisions, particularly for properties on busier streets where a turnaround area or circular driveway may be necessary. Parking surface requirements mandate that all vehicles on residential property be parked on improved, paved surfaces such as concrete, asphalt, or approved pavers. Parking on front lawns, side yards, bare dirt, decomposed granite, gravel, or any other unpaved surface that is visible from the street is prohibited. This regulation prevents property blight, protects landscaping and drainage infrastructure, and maintains neighborhood appearance standards. The zoning code reinforces this requirement through the 2024 Zoning Code Update, which addresses outdoor vehicle storage standards. Driveways may not be obstructed or blocked so as to prevent normal vehicle passage, and no vehicle parked in a driveway may extend into the public sidewalk or right-of-way where it could impede pedestrian traffic. RVs temporarily parked in driveways for loading or unloading are limited to 48 hours as outlined in the RV parking regulations. The number of driveway curb cuts per property frontage is regulated by the Public Works Department based on lot width and zoning district, and unauthorized curb cuts or driveway modifications may be required to be removed and the curb restored at the property owner's expense. Residents with questions about driveway permits and construction standards should contact the Selma Community Development Department or Public Works Division.