Selma — Zoning

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Selma’s Zoning Ordinance is codified as Title XI of the Municipal Code and organizes land into base districts (residential, commercial, manufacturing, open space) plus combining/overlay districts; the ordinance’s rules are applied from the official Zoning Map on file with the Community Development Department and City Clerk (see § 11-1.4) . Basic, citywide limits on setbacks, height, coverage, and parking are in the general development standards (§ 11-3.1) and the off-street parking table (§ 11-3.4) . When reviewing a parcel you must read both the district-specific rules in Chapter 2 and the cross-cutting standards in Chapter 3; where they conflict, the district-specific standard controls (§ 11-3.1) .

Note: this page stays strictly on zoning rules (districts, map, allowed uses, and development standards). For building code details see the California Building Standards Code. California Building Standards Code

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the districts explicitly created in Title XI and the practical points applicants and owners should use when evaluating a parcel. Each district name and numeric standard below is bolded and tied to the ordinance citation.

R-1 — Single-Family (R-1-12, R-1-9, R-1-7, R-1-4)

• Purpose: Preserve single-family neighborhoods and allow limited neighborhood-serving uses; the single-family districts are established under § 11-2.2 .
• Typical permitted uses: Single-family residences, duplexes, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior ADUs (ADUs are ministerially permitted in R-1 zones; see § 11-4.2) .
• Key dimensional standards (examples you will use when checking feasibility):
  • Front setback: commonly 20 ft or 25% of lot depth, whichever is less (district-specific tables reference development standards and the citywide development standards) — see § 11-3.1 and the R-1 tables in Chapter 2 (Table 2-1 / Table 2-3) .
  • Side yard: typically 5 ft for interior lots; multi-story buildings incrementally require larger side yards (examples and exceptions in the R-1 tables) — see § 11-2.2 and § 11-3.1 .
  • Maximum lot coverage: example 40% in some R-1 subzones (see district tables) — see Chapter 2 tables referenced at § 11-2.2 .
• Where it applies: Table 2-1 lists R-1-12 (Estate), R-1-9 (Low), R-1-7 (Medium Low), R-1-4 (Medium) and the corresponding General Plan land-use designations; verify a parcel’s R-1 suffix on the official Zoning Map (§ 11-1.4) .
• Practical note: ADU rules are cross-referenced; see the ADU chapter before assuming a detached accessory building can be rented as an ADU (§ 11-4.2) . For objective design standards on projects of 10+ units, see the single-family objective design standards in Chapter 2 (§ 11-2.2(E)) .

R-2 / R-2-A — Multi-Family Medium Density

• Purpose: Allow medium-density residential and compatible mixed uses; established under § 11-2.3 (Multi-Family) .
• Typical permitted uses: Multi-family residences, duplexes, limited commercial-support uses as shown in Table 2-5; multi-family projects normally require site plan review or director review depending on scale (Table 2-5) — see § 11-2.3 and Table 2-5 .
• Key standards:
  • Rear yard for multi-story structures adjacent to single-family: 20 ft; rear yard backing a freeway/railroad: 40 ft (see the R-2 development standards) — see § 11-2.3 and related development table references in Chapter 2 and § 11-3.1 for projections and height rules .
  • Maximum building height: guided by district table; height projections cross-reference § 11-3.1(E) (general projections) .
• Where it applies: Table 2-4 maps R-2 / R-2-A to Medium and Medium-High General Plan categories — confirm on the official map (§ 11-1.4) .
• Practical note: Multi-family projects must also satisfy the City’s objective multi-family design standards (see § 11-2.3(E)) and off-street parking ratios (see § 11-3.4) .

R-3 / R-3-A and R-4 — Higher-density multifamily

• Purpose and regulations: R-3/R-4 are defined in § 11-2.3 and the district development tables; R-4 is for high-density multifamily and has different height allowances and discretionary processes (see Chapter 2 tables and Table 2-4/2-5) .
• Practical note: R-3 may allow increased height by conditional use permit in certain situations; check Table 2-4/2-5 and § 11-6.7 (Conditional Use Permit process) for permit authority and limits .

Commercial (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-R, C-H, PMD, CBD)

• Purpose & uses: Commercial zone names and their development tables are presented in Chapter 2 (see the Table 2-8 development standards and Table 2-7 permitted uses) — confirm permitted retail / restaurant / office allowances in the district tables in Chapter 2 (§ 11-2, Tables 2-7 / 2-8) .
• Key standards: lot size minimums vary by subzone (examples: 20,000 sf minimum for many commercial subzones, front yards commonly 15 ft or 10% of lot depth) — see Table 2-8 and related commentary in Chapter 2 (§ 11-2.*) .
• Practical note: restaurants and alcohol sales have special cross-references (see the use tables and § 11-4.7 for alcoholic beverage sales) .

M-1 / M-2 — Light and Heavy Manufacturing / Industrial

• Purpose: The industrial districts are defined under § 11-2.5; M-1 for light manufacturing and M-2 for heavier industrial uses that may need more intense operations or processing .
• Typical permitted uses: manufacturing, processing, warehousing, distribution and specified conditional uses (see Table 2-9) .
• Key dimensional standards (from Table 2-10): Minimum lot size 10,000 sf, maximum lot coverage 80–90% (varies by sub-zone), maximum building height 45 ft, minimum landscaped yards of 10–20 ft for development adjacent to streets or residential uses — see § 11-2.5 and Table 2-10 .
• Special overlay/requirements: new industrial development must provide landscaping, screening for outdoor storage, trash enclosures, sidewalks, and is subject to site plan review; see § 11-2.5 (Additional Regulations) .
• Practical note: many industrial uses require site plan review and sometimes conditional use permits (see Chapter 6 permit table and Table 6-1 for permit authority) — see § 11-2.5, § 11-6 and Table 6-1 .

OS — Open Space / Parks

• Purpose: The Open Space (OS) district provides for parks, reservoirs, utilities, and quasi-public facilities; see § 11-2.7 for allowed uses and intent .
• Typical uses: parks, trails, community centers, reservoirs, and supporting small-scale retail for recreation (Table 2-11 lists specific permitted uses) — see § 11-2.7 and Table 2-11 .

PV — Pioneer Village (Combining / Overlay Zone)

• Purpose: The PV (Pioneer Village) Zone is a combining/overlay district applied to areas with historic character; its rules sit on top of the base district and are described in § 11-2.6 .
• Typical permitted uses: uses allowed by underlying residential, commercial, or industrial zones unless restricted by the PV master plan; many PV uses require a Conditional Use Permit and an approved Master Plan (see § 11-2.6(B)) .
• Key requirements: a Master Plan is required (including parking, access, landscaping, phasing), the number of parking spaces in PV is set by the Planning Commission at CUP time, and projects must pass site plan review — see § 11-2.6(B) and § 11-2.6(3–4) .
• Practical note: PV is a historic overlay: consult the City’s historic preservation policies as you prepare a Master Plan. Selma Historic Preservation

Quick reference table — most decision-relevant items

Cross-cutting items applicants must check (with links)

• Confirm the parcel’s base district on the official Zoning Map and boundary rules (§ 11-1.4 and § 11-1.5) — verify with Community Development Department records .
• Read the applicable district table in Chapter 2 and the citywide development standards in Chapter 3 — see § 11-3.1 for which rules control . Selma Development Standards
• Confirm required parking by use (Table 3-3 and § 11-3.4) and whether shared or on-street credits apply . Selma Parking
• If the project is in a combining zone (e.g., PV), follow the overlay’s Master Plan and CUP rules (§ 11-2.6(B)); see the overlay rules before assuming underlying standards apply . Selma Overlay Districts
• For projects with exterior changes or new commercial façades, check whether design review or site plan review is required (site plan review is used extensively for industrial and PV projects) — see Chapter 6 permit tables and site plan rules . Selma Design Review
• ADU-specific: consult § 11-4.2 for ADU and junior ADU rules before assuming accessory structure rules apply to rental units . Selma ADUs
• Signage and landscaping have separate chapters/requirements that interact with zoning approvals — consult the sign and landscaping chapters before permit submittal . Selma Signage Selma Landscaping and Screening

Checklist

• Confirm the parcel’s base zoning and any combining overlays on the official Zoning Map (§ 11-1.4) .
• Lookup the district’s permitted uses in Chapter 2 (Table 2-2/Table 2-5/Table 2-9, etc.) and note whether the proposed use is P, SPR, DRA, CUP, or prohibited — see § 11-2 series .
• Verify setbacks, height, lot coverage and other dimensional limits in the district table and Chapter 3 § 11-3.1 (development standards) .
• Determine off-street parking requirement from Table 3-3 and § 11-3.4 (account for shared/on-street credits) .
• Check whether the project triggers objective design standards, site plan review, or a Master Plan (e.g., PV, industrial site plan requirements) — see § 11-2.6, § 11-2.5, and Chapter 6 permit rules .
• If proposing residential projects of 5+ units, review density bonus and concessions rules in Chapter 4 (§ 11-4.10 series) — see the density bonus tables in Chapter 4 .
• For ambiguous zone boundaries, be prepared to request a Director determination or an appeal per § 11-1.5 and § 11-7.8 .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Selma’s Zoning Ordinance (Title XI) assigns every parcel a base zone (R-1, R-2, C-*, M-1/M-2, OS, etc.) and sometimes an overlay (like PV). Each district lists allowed uses and numeric limits (setbacks, heights, coverage) in Chapter 2; citywide standards (parking, projections, accessory buildings) live in Chapter 3. Always check the official Zoning Map, the district table, the Chapter 3 development standards, and any overlay or Master Plan before assuming something is permitted (see § 11-1.4, § 11-2.x, and § 11-3.1) .

Source References

• Selma Zoning Ordinance (Title XI), General Provisions — § 11-1.1 – § 11-1.6 (purpose, applicability, map, boundaries) .
• Zoning Map rules — § 11-1.4 (Zoning Map) and § 11-1.5 (Boundary determinations) .
• Chapter 2 — Zoning Districts and Allowable Uses: § 11-2.1 – § 11-2.7 (includes § 11-2.2 Single-Family; § 11-2.3 Multi-Family; § 11-2.5 Manufacturing; § 11-2.6 Combining Zones; § 11-2.7 Open Space) .
• Development standards applicable to all zones — § 11-3.1 (General development standards) and § 11-3.4 (Off-street parking) .
• ADUs and Junior ADUs — § 11-4.2 referenced in district permitted-use tables (ministerial ADU rules) .
• Industrial district tables and requirements — § 11-2.5 and Table 2-10 (Development Standards) .
• PV (Pioneer Village) overlay rules — § 11-2.6(B) (Master Plan and CUP requirement) .
• Table of Contents and permit/administration cross-references (Chapters 6–7 for permits/appeals and Table 6-1 for permit authority) — Chapter index and Table references in Title XI .

Retrieved passages

• Selma Zoning Code (Section 4100) High relevance show source text
• Selma Zoning Code (Section 11-7.8) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 11 (Section 11-3-1) Medium relevance show source text
• Selma Zoning Code (Section 11-8.2) Medium relevance show source text
• Selma Zoning Code (chapter and) Medium relevance show source text
• Selma Zoning Code (Section 11-7.8) Medium relevance show source text
• Selma Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Selma Zoning Code (Section 11-) Medium relevance show source text
• Selma Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Selma Zoning Code (section have) High relevance show source text
• Selma Zoning Code (section have) High relevance show source text
• Selma Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• CBC § 11 (Section 11-3-1) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Selma Zoning Ordinance (Title XI), General Provisions — **§ 11-1.1 – § 11-1.6** (purpose, applicability, map, boundaries) . (Title XI)
• Zoning Map rules — **§ 11-1.4** (Zoning Map) and **§ 11-1.5** (Boundary determinations) . (§ 11-1.4)
• Chapter 2 — Zoning Districts and Allowable Uses: **§ 11-2.1 – § 11-2.7** (includes **§ 11-2.2** Single-Family; **§ 11-2.3** Multi-Family; **§ 11-2.5** Manufacturing; **§ 11-2.6** Combining Zones; **§ 11-2.7** Open Space) . (Chapter 2)
• Development standards applicable to all zones — **§ 11-3.1** (General development standards) and **§ 11-3.4** (Off-street parking) . (§ 11-3.1)
• ADUs and Junior ADUs — **§ 11-4.2** referenced in district permitted-use tables (ministerial ADU rules) . (§ 11-4.2)
• Industrial district tables and requirements — **§ 11-2.5** and Table 2-10 (Development Standards) . (§ 11-2.5)
• PV (Pioneer Village) overlay rules — **§ 11-2.6(B)** (Master Plan and CUP requirement) . (§ 11-2.6)
• Table of Contents and permit/administration cross-references (Chapters 6–7 for permits/appeals and Table 6-1 for permit authority) — Chapter index and Table references in Title XI . (Chapter index)
• Selma_ZoningCode.md

• Official Selma code library