Local zoning · Selma

Selma — Signage

Signage under the Selma local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes Selma’s local sign rules as codified in Chapter 11-3.8 (Signs) of the Selma zoning code (Title XI / Zoning). It explains what types of signs are allowed where, how sign area and height are measured and limited, permit and enforcement basics, and special rules for billboards and freeway‑oriented signs. All requirements below are grounded in the city code and cite the controlling §; verify parcel‑specific questions with the Community Development Department. See the citywide planning overview for broader context at Selma zoning & planning overview.

Controlling chapter and how to read this guide

  • Controlling ordinance: Chapter 11-3.8 — Signs (Title XI / Zoning), cited below as § 11-3.8. Purpose, definitions, exemptions, prohibited signs, measurement, permit process, and zone-by-zone allowances are contained in that chapter (§ 11-3.8.A–N) .

  • Related City rules you may need while planning signs: the city’s rules on development standards, parking, design review, overlay districts, historic preservation, ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code (Title 24). Those topics interact with sign projects (e.g., setback/landscaping, site plan or design review) so reference them as needed: Selma Development Standards, Selma Parking, Selma Design Review, Selma Overlay Districts, Selma Historic Preservation, Selma ADUs, California Building Standards Code.

What the code requires (top-level rules)

  • Content neutrality: the City regulates sign type and size, not the message; noncommercial speech is permitted in most authorized signs (effect and content neutrality) — § 11-3.8.B .

  • Exempt signs: many small signs (governmental, memorial plaques, interior signs not visible from streets, “No Trespassing,” and real‑estate signs subject to size limits) are allowed without a Sign Permit; see the exempt list in § 11-3.8.C (example: real‑estate signs — 8 sq ft for single‑family; 32 sq ft for multifamily/nonresidential) .

  • Prohibited signs: animated, sound‑emitting, flashing (with limited exceptions), movable/trailer signs, most projecting and roof signs, and portable signs are prohibited (see § 11-3.8.D) .

  • Measurement: sign area is generally calculated by the area of the copy or the smallest rectangle that wholly contains irregular shapes; three‑dimensional objects are measured by their surface area rules in § 11-3.8.G .

  • Setbacks and construction: freestanding signs must be set back a minimum 5 ft from property lines; all signs must be maintained and constructed per law (see § 11-3.8.E and related construction/maintenance rules) .

  • Permits & review: most non‑exempt signs require a Sign Permit from the Community Development Department; the Director can approve, refer to the Planning Commission, or require a Conditional Use Permit where called for; appeal procedures are specified (see § 11-3.8.F) .

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the actual district/land‑use categories used in the sign chapter and the sign rules that apply there. Each subsection uses the code’s phrasing and cites the controlling subparts.

Residential (single‑family, multi‑family, mobile home parks) — purpose & where it applies

  • Purpose / typical uses: residential neighborhoods across Selma (single‑family tracts, multi‑family complexes, mobile home parks). Rules are focused on identification, model-home/sales displays, and neighborhood scale/appearance. See § 11-3.8.I (Residential Zone Signs) .

  • Key permitted signs and dimensional standards:

    • Single‑Family / Subdivision: model home sign — max 6 sq ft and 5 ft high; flags per 20 ft frontage up to 15 sq ft, top of flag ≤ 18 ft; subdivision sales sign up to 64 sq ft and 8 ft high; subdivision entry signs up to 40 sq ft and 6 ft high (landscaped base required) — § 11-3.8.I.a .
    • Multi‑Family: identification sign—one per 250 ft of frontage (or fraction), max 40 sq ft, max 6 ft high — § 11-3.8.I.b .
    • Mobile Home Parks: same as multi‑family with construction/materials guidance (masonry/durable materials), landscaping encouraged — § 11-3.8.I.c .

  • Where it applies: residentially‑zoned parcels and planned residential developments (see § 11-3.8.I) .

Commercial / Shopping & Office Centers — purpose & where it applies

  • Purpose / typical uses: retail, shopping centers, office centers and storefront businesses; aims to balance business identification with pedestrian‑scale design and crime prevention (storefront window rules). See § 11-3.8.I and § 11-3.8.J (Limitation on Commercial Storefront Signage) .

  • Key standards:

    • Wall/tenant signs: typical allowance is expressed by linear frontage (e.g., shopping/office center tenants permitted 2 sq ft per linear foot of building frontage when visible to street/alley/parking) — § 11-3.8.I (wall signs) .
    • Large centers: commercial/office developments 5–12 acres may have one freestanding sign per frontage up to 150 sq ft face and 20 ft height; >12 acres allowed 200 sq ft face (20 ft height) — § 11-3.8.I (commercial center standards) .
    • Storefront window limits: retail storefronts — no more than 15% of each window/clear door area may be covered by signs; bottom 1/3 of windows must remain unobstructed for interior visibility for safety/loss prevention — § 11-3.8.J.3 .
    • Under‑canopy signs: one per covered entrance, ≤ 6 sq ft, max width 3 ft, minimum clearance 8 ft — § 11-3.8.I (canopy/under‑canopy) .

  • Where it applies: parcels zoned for commercial uses and shopping/office centers identified in the zoning map; check parcel zoning on the Selma Zoning map and for design review triggers see Selma Design Review and Selma Development Standards.

Industrial (including M‑1, M‑2) — purpose & where it applies

  • Purpose / typical uses: light and heavy industrial sites, warehouses, manufacturing; signs emphasize orientation to street and industrial scale. See § 11-3.8 (I.3 Industrial Zone Signs) .

  • Key standards:

    • Freestanding: one freestanding sign per 250 ft of street frontage (or fraction), max 100 sq ft face, max overall height 20 ft — § 11-3.8.I.3.a .
    • Wall: 1 sq ft sign area per linear foot of building frontage adjacent to street/parking/access drive — § 11-3.8.I.3.b .

  • Where it applies: parcels zoned M‑1 and M‑2 and other industrial districts on the city zoning map; special rules for billboards apply to M‑1 and M‑2 (see below) .

Freeway‑oriented signs & Billboards — targeted rules

  • Freeway‑oriented signs: apply to any parcel within 600 ft of the Highway 99 right‑of‑way. Limits: max height 75 ft, max sign face 200 sq ft, single‑pole support, placement setback 10 ft from Highway 99 and must be located in the rear 40% of the parcel; require Site Plan Review — § 11-3.8 (Freeway‑Oriented Signs) .

  • Billboards: strictly regulated. Key rules:

    • Allowed only within 200 ft of Highway 99 and only in M‑1 and M‑2 zones; no placement within 500 ft of residentially zoned/planned property; separation rules from other billboards/freeway signs apply — § 11-3.8.M (Billboards) .
    • Max billboard top height 50 ft (unless variance), single sign‑face area up to 672 sq ft, max two faces, bottom of billboard at least 20 ft above grade — § 11-3.8.M.3 (Billboard Design) .
    • Electronic/LED billboards allowed only with Caltrans approvals and subject to spacing, rotation/dwell time, and Conditional Use Permit or other approvals; city branding and emergency message coordination provisions apply — § 11-3.8.M.4 .
    • City cap: the City may allow up to 24 billboard faces in the city — § 11-3.8.M.1.c .

  • Where it applies: parcels near Highway 99 in M‑1/M‑2; billboards require Conditional Use Permit and additional state/federal approvals where applicable .

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant standards (extract)

Issue / Sign type Decision‑relevant limit Code Reference
Freestanding sign setback from property line 5 ft minimum § 11-3.8.E (Sign Setbacks)
Industrial freestanding sign (per 250 ft frontage) 100 sq ft face; 20 ft height § 11-3.8.I.3.a
Shopping/office center tenant wall sign 2 sq ft / linear ft of building frontage (typical) § 11-3.8.I (wall signs)
Freeway‑oriented sign Max 75 ft height; 200 sq ft face; rear 40% placement; within 600 ft of Hwy 99 § 11-3.8 (Freeway‑Oriented Signs)
Billboard maximum single face 672 sq ft (single face); max 50 ft top height § 11-3.8.M.3.a–b
Temporary on‑site banners/pennants (aggregate) Total temporary signage ≤ 500 sq ft (or 2,500 cu ft for 3D) § 11-3.8 (Temporary Signs)
Retail window signage limit ≤ 15% of each window/clear door § 11-3.8.J.3.a
Directory sign max 16 sq ft; 6 ft height; < 3 ft in sight triangle § 11-3.8 (Directory)

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy before installing or changing a sign

  • Confirm whether the sign is an exempt type under § 11-3.8.C (e.g., certain real estate signs, government signs) .
  • Determine the parcel’s zoning (residential, commercial, M‑1, M‑2, industrial) and applicable zone rules (See Signs Allowed by Zone in § 11-3.8.I) .
  • Measure sign area per the code’s measurement rules § 11-3.8.G and confirm the allowed area per frontage or zone .
  • Verify setbacks (e.g., 5 ft from property line for freestanding signs) and sight‑triangle limits for driveway/intersection § 11-3.8.E / directional signage rules .
  • Check illumination, electronic message rules and whether a Conditional Use Permit or Site Plan Review is required (electronic reader boards, billboards, freeway‑oriented signs) — see § 11-3.8.I, M and related subsections .
  • Prepare Sign Permit application to Community Development with owner/contractor information and site plans; pay fees and be ready for possible referral to Planning Commission — § 11-3.8.F .
  • Verify whether Building or Electrical permits are also required (code notes that some temporary or exempt signs may still require uniform code permits) — § 11-3.8.C.3 (Verify with building division / Title 24) .
  • For billboards/LED signs: confirm Caltrans/Outdoor Advertising clearances and city spacing caps; prepare for Conditional Use Permit where required — § 11-3.8.M .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Electronic reader boards vs. prohibited flashing/animated signs Electronic signs are allowed but have strict timing, motion and spacing limits; a misclassified sign risks denial/enforcement Confirm electronic sign dwell/interval rules and whether a CUP or Caltrans clearance is required — see § 11-3.8.I and § 11-3.8.M.4
Billboard caps and spacing (24 faces cap, 500 ft buffer) Billboard supply is limited and spacing/zone constraints are specific — proposals can be refused for spacing or because the cap is reached Verify existing billboard counts, exact parcel distance measurements, and whether the parcel is within the 200 ft Hwy 99 corridor and M‑1/M‑2 zones — § 11-3.8.M
Freestanding sign height vs. building permits (structural) A sign within size limits may still need a building/electrical permit under state codes Confirm with Building Division whether the particular sign needs a building/electrical permit under the California Building Standards Code (Title 24); the sign chapter notes this possibility but does not give thresholds — § 11-3.8.C.3 (Not found: exact building‑permit triggers in the sign chapter)
“Counted against allowable sign area” language for directory/directional signs Whether directory/logo area counts can change total allowable area for a tenant Check plan drawings to isolate advertising portions; the code states directory/logo area is counted toward the total allowed where applicable — § 11-3.8 (Directory/Directional)
Nonconforming signs — what repairs are allowed Copy changes are allowed but structural upgrades may trigger full compliance For legal nonconforming signs, copy changes allowed but physical changes beyond maintenance require compliance — § 11-3.8.N; verify with Community Development before work

Information Gaps

  • The sign chapter references some cross‑references (e.g., Chapter 16 for CUP procedures, Chapter 11‑22 for variances) but the uploaded materials do not include those chapters’ full text here. Verify procedural details (hearing timelines, fees) with the Community Development Department or the full Selma Municipal Code for Chapter 16 and Chapter 11‑22. Not found in retrieved materials: exact permit fees and the step‑by‑step form/checklist used by the City for sign permit submittals.

Plain‑English Summary

Selma’s sign code (Chapter § 11-3.8) sets limits on how big, tall, and where signs can be; small or temporary signs may be exempt, most commercial and permanent signs need a Sign Permit, and billboards/electronic signs face strict location, size, spacing, and review rules — particularly near Highway 99 and in M‑1/M‑2 zones. Always check the parcel zoning and run your proposed sign by Community Development before fabrication or installation.

Source References

  • Selma Municipal Code — Chapter 11-3.8 (Signs): Purpose, exemptions, prohibited signs, measurement, permit procedures, enforcement — § 11-3.8.A–N
  • Signs Allowed by Zone (Residential, Commercial, Industrial; directional, directory, drive‑thru boards) — § 11-3.8.I and related subsections
  • Freeway‑oriented signs and billboards (placement, size, spacing, cap on faces) — § 11-3.8.M (Billboards) and Freeway‑Oriented Signs subsections
  • Sign measurement and three‑dimensional rules — § 11-3.8.G
  • Permit, review, appeals and enforcement procedures — § 11-3.8.F, § 11-3.8.H (Inspections, approvals, abatement)
  • Limitation on commercial storefront signage (window limits, store display rules) — § 11-3.8.J

(These source citations reference the Selma Zoning Code materials provided in the uploaded file set. No separate external URLs were supplied in the retrieved materials.)

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Selma Zoning Code (Chapter 2.6) High relevance
  • Selma Zoning Code (Chapter 16) High relevance
  • Selma Zoning Code (Section is) High relevance
  • Selma Zoning Code (section 311) High relevance
  • Selma Zoning Code (Chapter shall) High relevance
  • Selma Zoning Code (Chapter 11-22) High relevance
  • Selma Zoning Code High relevance
  • Selma Zoning Code (Chapter made) High relevance
  • Selma Zoning Code (Chapter 11-22) Medium relevance
  • Selma Zoning Code (Chapter are) Medium relevance
  • Selma Zoning Code (Section I) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 5443.5 (section when) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What chapter of Selma’s code controls signs?

Signs are regulated in Chapter 11-3.8 (Signs) of the Selma zoning code (Title XI / Zoning); see § 11-3.8.A–N for the full framework and definitions .

Do I need a sign permit for a storefront sign in Selma?

Yes — except for listed exempt signs, most permanent and temporary signs require a Sign Permit from the Community Development Department; exempt categories are listed at § 11-3.8.C — verify if your sign is exempt before proceeding .

How is sign area measured in Selma?

Sign area is measured per § 11-3.8.G: use the area of the copy or the smallest rectangle that wholly contains an irregular sign; three‑dimensional objects use surface‑area rules in that subsection .

What are the limits for freestanding signs and setbacks?

Freestanding signs must be set back at least 5 ft from property lines (measured to the nearest part of sign/support); specific height/area limits vary by zone (e.g., industrial freestanding signs: 100 sq ft face, 20 ft height) — see § 11-3.8.E and § 11-3.8.I.3 .

Can I put up an LED/electronic message sign in Selma?

Electronic reader boards and LED billboards are regulated; electronic reader boards and large electronic displays generally require a Conditional Use Permit and must meet timing/spacing/height limits and Caltrans clearance where applicable — see § 11-3.8.I and § 11-3.8.M.4 .

Where are billboards allowed in Selma?

Billboards are allowed only within 200 ft of Highway 99 and only in M‑1 and M‑2 zones, with spacing, residential buffer, size and height limits and a city cap on total faces; new billboards generally require a Conditional Use Permit — see § 11-3.8.M .

Are temporary signs counted against a tenant’s maximum sign area?

Temporary on‑site signs generally are not counted under the maximum allowed sign area, but specific temporary sign types have separate size and duration limits — check § 11-3.8 (Temporary Signs) for details and permit requirements .

What if my sign was legal before the current code (nonconforming)?

Legal nonconforming signs may have their copy changed, but any physical modification beyond maintenance typically requires compliance with the current chapter; see the nonconforming rules at § 11-3.8.N and consult Community Development before altering the structure .

Who enforces sign rules and what happens when a sign violates the code?

The Community Development Department enforces the sign chapter; enforcement steps include notices, abatement (90 days for many permanent sign violations, immediate removal possible for public‑right‑of‑way signs), storage and destruction procedures, and billing the owner for abatement costs — see enforcement provisions § 11-3.8.H .

If a sign is within the allowed size but needs structural work, do I need other permits?

Possibly. The sign chapter notes that some temporary or exempt signs may still require Building or Electrical permits under the uniform codes (Title 24). Confirm with the Building Division; the sign chapter flags this but does not enumerate all thresholds — see § 11-3.8.C.3 .

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