Local zoning · Selma
Selma — Landscaping and Screening
Landscaping and Screening under the Selma local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.
Last reviewed: July 2, 2026
Overview
This page summarizes what the City of Selma's zoning ordinance requires for landscaping, screening, fences/walls/hedges, and related buffers. It is drawn from the Selma Zoning Code (not Title 24/Building Code), highlights the rule locations (the controlling §§), and gives district-by-district guidance and practical steps for applicants. The code’s core landscaping rules live in § 11-3.5 and fencing/screening rules in § 11-3.6; mechanical-equipment screening and related site rules appear elsewhere in the General Regulations (see §§ cited below) .
Before you prepare plans, review the city’s rules for parking, development standards, and zoning because landscaping and screening are integrated with those standards.
What the code requires (short list, with controlling §)
- Citywide landscaping purpose and applicability: § 11-3.5 — applies to all landscaping installed in the city; must comply with State water‑efficient landscaping rules (Model WEL Ordinance) .
- Minimum initial tree size and irrigation for new residential front yards: one 15‑gallon tree plus permanent irrigation installed prior to occupancy (§ 11-3.5.F) .
- Plant material minimum: at least 50% of landscape area must be plant materials (the rest may be permeable groundcover) (§ 11-3.5.D.h) .
- Commercial landscaping: 21 ft landscaped frontage from face of curb; ≥8% of gross site area landscaped (outside public ROW); trees average every 20 ft on center; parking islands with tree every 12 stalls; landscape widths minimum 5 ft (trees in parking islands 8 ft) (§ 11-3.5.E—Commercial) .
- Industrial landscaping: 21 ft minimum landscape strip adjacent to arterial streets; 8 ft landscaped buffer next to commercial/residential uses; perimeter landscape minimum 5 ft; parking/drive‑through screening and headlight barriers (§ 11-3.5.E—Industrial) .
- Fences/walls/hedges height limits: front setbacks – 48 inches (4 ft); side/rear – 6 ft (hedges may have no limit if within 10 ft adjacent to commercial district or street) — § 11-3.6 .
- Hazardous visual obstruction (sight triangle) rules and 5‑ft clearances at driveways/intersections; Director may approve limited encroachments where findings are met — (Hazardous Visual Obstructions in General Regulations) § 11-3.6 / related hazardous visual rules .
- Screening of mechanical/electrical equipment: screen on all vertical sides to the height of the equipment (landscape or compatible materials allowed; solar exempt) — General Regulations (screening) § (General Regs D) .
- Outdoor storage and storage container screening: screening walls must be architecturally compatible; screening walls may not be located inside required street frontage planters; screening walls for storage generally not to exceed 15 ft (stored goods may not exceed wall height) — (Outdoor Storage rules) § (General Regs / Outdoor Storage) .
District-by-district breakdown
Note: the Zoning Code uses base districts plus combining overlays (see the City’s Overlay Districts page for area‑specific rules). Below are the landscaping/screening obligations that apply by district. Where the code uses broad labels, I use those same labels (e.g., Single‑Family Zones, Commercial, Industrial, PV, OS).
R Zones (Single‑Family and multi‑family — e.g., R‑1, R‑2, R‑3)
- Purpose & typical uses: residential dwellings (single family, duplexes, multi‑family) — landscaping is required to maintain compatibility with adjacent uses and protect water quality and stormwater control. See general district rules in Chapter 11-2 and landscaping requirements in § 11-3.5 .
- Key landscaping/screening standards:
- Front yard requirement for new residential development: at least one 15‑gallon tree and a permanent irrigation system installed before occupancy (§ 11-3.5.F) .
- Landscaping required in all yard areas not used for drives/patios; minimum 50% plant material coverage in landscape areas (§ 11-3.5.D) .
- Fences/walls: front setback max 48 in; side/rear max 6 ft (see exceptions for hedges adjacent to commercial) (§ 11-3.6) .
- Where it applies: citywide to all R‑designated parcels; tree/irrigation specific to new residential development (§ 11‑3.5) .
Commercial Zones (C, mixed‑use)
- Purpose & typical uses: retail, offices, mixed uses — landscaping is used to provide attractive street frontage and screen parking/drive‑throughs (§ 11-3.5.E—Commercial) .
- Key standards:
- 21 ft landscaped area from face of curb along public streets (public sidewalks may be in planter area) (§ 11-3.5.E.a) .
- At least 8% of gross site area (outside public ROW) landscaped; all areas >40 sq ft not used for building/parking must be landscaped (§ 11-3.5.E.b–c) .
- Trees averaged every 20 ft on center; parking island min 50 sq ft with a tree every 12 stalls; parking lot landscape areas min 8 ft wide where trees exist (§ 11-3.5.E.d–g) .
- Three‑foot high screening where needed to block headlights into residential areas and to shield drive‑throughs (§ 11-3.5.E.j) .
- Where it applies: all commercial and mixed‑use zones unless downtown specific plan or overlay changes standards; verify with the Development Standards and Overlay Districts pages.
Industrial Zones
- Purpose & typical uses: manufacturing, warehousing, industrial services.
- Key standards:
- 21 ft landscaped front/side area adjacent to streets; paved areas should not exceed 50% of setback area (§ 11-3.5.E.b–c) .
- Perimeter landscape minimum 5 ft; 8 ft landscaped buffer required adjacent to commercial/residential uses; dense screening required where visible from Highway 99 (§ 11-3.5.E.d–g) .
- Outdoor use/loading areas must be screened with landscaping or architectural materials; outdoor storage must be screened from public streets and residential areas (screen walls compatible with main structure; no barbed/razor wire except where authorized) — see § 11-3.6 and Outdoor Storage rules .
- Where it applies: industrial districts and parcels; site plan review required for new industrial development (site plans must show landscaping and screening) — see site plan requirements .
Pioneer Village Zone (PV)
- Purpose & typical uses: historic display/visitor uses; PV rules overlay base zones and require a Master Plan and Conditional Use Permit for many uses.
- Landscaping/screening: PV explicitly requires that landscaping be provided and maintained, yards be adequate for landscaping and fire spacing, and that a Master Plan show development standards including landscaping (§ 11‑2.6.B) .
Open Space (OS)
- Purpose: parks, public open space, infrastructure, recreation — landscaping is used for habitat, recreation, and utility functions; see § 11‑2.7 for the OS zone purpose and allowed facilities .
Quick reference table — decision‑relevant standards
| Requirement | Typical limit/threshold | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|
| New residential front yard — required tree + irrigation | One 15‑gallon tree; permanent irrigation before occupancy | § 11‑3.5.F |
| Landscape material minimum | ≥50% plant material in landscape areas | § 11‑3.5.D.h |
| Commercial street frontage landscaping | 21 ft from face of curb; ≥8% of gross land area | § 11‑3.5.E.a–b |
| Parking lot tree spacing & islands | Trees ~20 ft on center; island with tree every 12 stalls; island ≥50 sq ft | § 11‑3.5.E.d–e |
| Industrial buffer to residential/commercial | 8 ft landscaped buffer adjacent to commercial/residential uses | § 11‑3.5.E.e |
| Fence/wall height — front setback | 48 in (4 ft) max in front setbacks | § 11‑3.6.B |
| Fence/wall height — side & rear | 6 ft max (hedges special rule) | § 11‑3.6.B |
| Screening mechanical equipment | Screen to height of equipment (landscaping or materials) | General Regs (Screening D) |
| Outdoor storage screening wall height | Screening walls generally ≤15 ft (cannot be in street planter) | Outdoor Storage |
Practical guidance / synthesis
- Design landscape plans to meet both the aesthetic and functional goals the code lists: water efficiency (State Model WEL), stormwater treatment, shading, and screening of parking, mechanical equipment, loading, and outdoor storage (see § 11‑3.5 and screening rules) .
- For commercial or industrial projects, emphasize the 21‑ft street frontage and buffers early — these determine how much buildable area remains and affect circulation and parking layouts (§ 11‑3.5.E) .
- Provide irrigation plans that comply with the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance — the Selma code requires compliance in § 11‑3.5.C .
- If you propose fences higher than the maxima or unusual screening (barbed wire, extreme heights, screening on retaining walls), either design to meet the narrow exceptions in § 11‑3.6 (barbed wire rules and measurement rules) or plan for a Director Review/permit to modify (§ 11‑6.6 Director Review) .
- Show all walls/fences, landscape areas, and mechanical equipment screening clearly on the Site Plan Review submittal package — the Director requires walls/fences location/height on site plans (Site Plan Review application requirements) .
Tip: coordinate your landscape architect and civil engineer — tree pits, deep‑root irrigation (required where trees are within 3 ft of sidewalks), and wheel stops need details that affect paving and drainage design (§ 11‑3.5.D.n–j) .
Checklist
- Show all landscape areas and calculations (percent of site) and plant list with mature sizes — § 11‑3.5
- Include irrigation plans compliant with the Model WEL Ordinance — § 11‑3.5.C
- Show trees: species, spacing, and verify 15‑gallon minimum for new residential trees — § 11‑3.5.F
- Provide parking lot islands (size, tree species), show islands every 12 stalls where applicable — § 11‑3.5.E
- Show fences/walls/hedges: location, heights, materials; confirm front setback height ≤48 in and side/rear ≤6 ft (or request modification) — § 11‑3.6
- Provide mechanical screening details (materials, heights) for exterior equipment — General Regulations (Screening D)
- Show hazardous visual obstruction/sight triangle compliance at driveways/intersections and any requested encroachments with supporting findings — Hazardous Visual Obstructions rules
- For outdoor storage/display, show screening walls compatible with building design and ensure stored goods do not exceed the screening wall height — Outdoor Storage rules
- If in an overlay or the PV zone, attach Master Plan or overlay‑specific landscaping narrative as required — § 11‑2.6
Risks & Ambiguities
| Issue | Why it matters | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Exact R‑zone numeric standards for a specific parcel | The code uses both "Single‑Family Zones" and specific R‑zones; development standards (setbacks, lot coverage) vary by R‑zone and may affect where landscaping fits | Confirm the parcel’s base zone (e.g., R‑1 / R‑3) and cross‑check with Chapter 11‑2 district tables; verify with Planning staff (Verify with the jurisdiction) |
| Whether an existing hedge may exceed 6 ft adjacent to commercial | Hedges adjacent to commercial/street may have no height limit within 10 ft; interpretation depends on exact adjacency and measurement method | Confirm adjacency distance and measurement methodology with the Director (see § 11‑3.6 hedges exception) |
| Measurement of fence height on retaining walls | Height is measured from the lowest existing grade point within a 3‑ft radius to the highest point on the highest side; this can change permitted height | Provide elevation survey and confirm measurement approach with staff; see measurement rule in General Regs |
| Applicability of screening rules to utility/PG&E equipment | Public utility above‑grade equipment is sometimes allowed in easements; screening rules have exceptions | Confirm utility provider plans and easement status; see screening exceptions in General Regs (screening D) |
| Conflicts with specific plan / Pioneer Village Master Plan | Specific plans or PV Master Plan may override citywide requirements | Check whether parcel is within a specific plan or PV overlay and supply Master Plan materials with application (§ 11‑2.6) |
Plain‑English summary
Selma requires landscape on almost every development: new homes must plant at least one 15‑gallon tree and have permanent irrigation; commercial and industrial sites must provide wide street planting strips and buffers; parking lots must include tree islands and screening; fences in front yards are generally limited to 4 ft and 6 ft elsewhere; mechanical equipment must be screened. All of these rules are in the Selma Zoning Code (see the specific §§ cited above) .
Source References
- Selma Zoning Code — § 11‑3.5 Landscaping (purpose, applicability, design standards, tree sizes, irrigation)
- Selma Zoning Code — § 11‑3.6 Fences, Walls, and Hedges (applicability, measurement, height limits, barbed‑wire rules)
- Selma Zoning Code — General Regulations: Screening of Mechanical and Electrical Equipment (D) (screening requirements for exterior equipment)
- Selma Zoning Code — Outdoor Storage / Screening and storage‑wall height rules (General Regulations / Outdoor Storage)
- Selma Zoning Code — Pioneer Village overlay and Master Plan / site plan items (§ 11‑2.6)
- Selma Zoning Code — Hazardous Visual Obstructions and measurement rules (site visibility / 5‑ft/12‑ft clearances)
Also consult these City menu pages when planning (links used inline above):
- Selma Zoning — check base zone for your parcel
- Selma Development Standards — dimensional & setback context
- Selma Parking — parking‑landscape integration
- Selma Design Review — when design review applies
- Selma Overlay Districts — location‑specific modifications
- Selma ADUs — ADU-specific exceptions (note: state ADU law may preempt some local landscaping rules)
- California Building Standards Code — coordinate screening with Title 24 where equipment/building code triggers apply
Sources
Retrieved passages
- California Building Code (Section shall) High relevance
- CEC § 11 (Section 11-3.4) High relevance
- Selma Zoning Code (Section shall) High relevance
- Selma Zoning Code High relevance
- Selma Zoning Code (Section 11-3.4) High relevance
- Selma Zoning Code High relevance
- California Building Code (Chapter 11-6.6) High relevance
- Selma Zoning Code (Section when) High relevance
- Selma Zoning Code High relevance
- Selma Zoning Code High relevance
- California Building Code (Section shall) High relevance
- Selma Zoning Code (Section apply) High relevance
Cited sections
- Selma Zoning Code — **§ 11‑3.5 Landscaping** (purpose, applicability, design standards, tree sizes, irrigation) (§ 11)
- Selma Zoning Code — **§ 11‑3.6 Fences, Walls, and Hedges** (applicability, measurement, height limits, barbed‑wire rules) (§ 11)
- Selma Zoning Code — General Regulations: **Screening of Mechanical and Electrical Equipment (D)** (screening requirements for exterior equipment)
- Selma Zoning Code — Outdoor Storage / Screening and storage‑wall height rules (General Regulations / Outdoor Storage)
- Selma Zoning Code — Pioneer Village overlay and Master Plan / site plan items (§ 11‑2.6) (§ 11)
- Selma Zoning Code — Hazardous Visual Obstructions and measurement rules (site visibility / 5‑ft/12‑ft clearances)
- Selma Zoning — check base zone for your parcel
- Selma Development Standards — dimensional & setback context
- Selma Parking — parking‑landscape integration
- Selma Design Review — when design review applies
- Selma Overlay Districts — location‑specific modifications
- Selma ADUs — ADU-specific exceptions (note: state ADU law may preempt some local landscaping rules)
- California Building Standards Code — coordinate screening with Title 24 where equipment/building code triggers apply (Title 24)
- Selma_ZoningCode.md
Frequently asked questions
Do I always need a landscape plan for a site plan or building permit in Selma?
Yes. The landscaping standards in § 11‑3.5 apply to all landscaping installed in the city; site plan review submittals must include landscaping location and type. For many non‑residential projects (commercial/industrial) the plan must show street frontage landscape widths, buffer zones, and irrigation to demonstrate compliance .
What fence height is allowed in the front yard of a Selma home?
Fences/walls/hedges in the front setback are limited to 48 inches (4 ft) in height under § 11‑3.6.B; side and rear setbacks generally allow up to 6 ft (exceptions for hedges adjacent to commercial or street are described in the same section) .
How big must newly planted trees be for new residential development?
New residential front‑yard landscaping is required to include at least one 15‑gallon size tree and a permanent irrigation system installed prior to occupancy, per § 11‑3.5.F .
Are there special buffers or landscaping widths for industrial sites?
Yes — industrial zones must provide 21 ft landscaping adjacent to streets (face of curb), a minimum 5 ft perimeter landscape, and an 8 ft landscaped buffer adjacent to commercial or residential uses; paved areas are limited relative to setback area — see § 11‑3.5.E for details .
Do I have to screen rooftop units and utility boxes?
Yes. Exterior mechanical and electrical equipment must be screened on all vertical sides to at least the height of the equipment; screening may be landscaping or compatible materials and should be part of the building/site design (General Regulations — Screening of Mechanical and Electrical Equipment) .
Can I use low‑water rock or decomposed granite in landscaper beds?
Yes — up to 50% of a landscape area may be permeable groundcover (rock, bark, decomposed granite, etc.), but at least 50% must be plant materials; irrigation and plant choices must comply with the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance as required by § 11‑3.5.C–D .
Where do I show fences and screening on my submittal?
Include walls/fences and their heights and materials on the Site Plan Review (or building permit) plans; the Director requires these elements on site plans and will check them against § 11‑3.6 and site plan requirements .
Can I exceed the fence height limit if I need extra privacy or security?
Possibly — the code allows administrative modifications (Director review) and has specific exceptions (e.g., barbed wire in industrial areas with conditions). Any modification requires findings and must comply with the processes in the code (see § 11‑3.6 for exceptions and administrative modification procedures) .
Do the landscaping rules apply to ADUs?
Selma’s landscaping standards apply broadly, but state ADU law can limit how local open space/landscaping rules are applied to ADU approvals; confirm ADU exceptions and local application with the Planning staff and review § 11‑3.5 and the local ADU chapter (see the city ADU page) .
Who enforces the tree size, irrigation and maintenance requirements?
The Community Development Director (and Public Works Director for right‑of‑way plantings) enforces landscaping, irrigation installation, and ongoing maintenance obligations; ongoing maintenance is explicitly required in § 11‑3.5.G .
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