City of Selma

Selma states a building permit is required anytime a building or structure, or any electrical, plumbing, or mechanical system, is erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished. Fire permits are separately required for sprinkler, alarm, and hood systems and for related alterations.

• Exempt Detached accessory structures under 120 square feet of floor area
• Exempt Window awnings supported by an exterior wall on a dwelling unit when projection does not exceed 54 inches
• Exempt Window replacements where the frame, nailing flange, and existing weather protection are not altered
• Exempt Finish flooring such as carpet, tile, or linoleum
• Exempt Floor sheathing repair limited to 10 square feet maximum
• Exempt Decorative interior tile installation
• Exempt Replacement of an existing fence in the same location with the same materials; new fences still require permits
• Exempt Retaining walls less than 4 feet high with no surcharge, measured from bottom of footing to top of wall
• Exempt Platforms, walks, and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement or story below
• Exempt Movable cases, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
• Exempt Painting, papering, and similar finish work
• Exempt Certain above-ground prefabricated swimming pools on single-family property not exceeding 5,000 gallons
• Exempt Repair or replacement of toilets and faucets
• Exempt Replacement of electrical outlets and switches in existing boxes
• Exempt Replacement of overcurrent devices such as breakers and fuses
• Exempt Temporary decorative lighting for dwellings
• Exempt Portable appliances such as heating appliances, ventilating equipment, and cooling units
• Exempt Replacement of a component part of an appliance that does not alter original approval and listing
• Exempt Portable motors and appliances with listed cord-and-plug connections

Note: Selma says most projects still require permits; driveway aprons, approaches, and public sidewalk repairs require Public Works review; replacing a main disconnect requires a permit; and fence replacements are exempt only when matching the original fence in material and location.

Building code

Selma municipal code states the city adopted the 2022 California Building Standards Code, 2022 California Residential Code, and related Title 24 codes by Ordinance 2023-2 effective April 17, 2023. The plan check page also lists 2022 California Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical Codes and 2022 NFPA standards.

Permit validity

No Selma-specific building permit expiration rule was located on the city website. Because Selma has adopted the 2022 California Building Standards Code, permit expiration appears to default to the adopted code unless amended locally; verify with the Building Division before filing.

Owner-builder

Selma requires a signed owner-builder disclosure form before issuing an owner-builder permit and requires ID or signature verification. The form warns that owners may assume employer and liability obligations and notes California limits on building single-family residences for sale as an owner-builder.

Contractor requirements

The city application requires contractor license number, class, and expiration date. Selma's owner-builder disclosure states contractors must be licensed and bonded in California, and the permit application states all subcontractors need a City of Selma business license.

1. 01
   Confirm whether your scope needs a permit; Selma states permits are required for most construction, alteration, repair, demolition, and MEP work, with limited listed exemptions.
2. 02
   Start the application in the city portal for residential or commercial projects. If acting for the owner, provide the owner authorization or owner-builder documentation the city requires.
3. 03
   Upload or assemble the required submittal package. Selma says typical plan check packages include a site plan, foundation plan, floor plans, elevations, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roof framing, Title 24 documents, and structural calculations or soils reports when required.
4. 04
   Submit the application and valuation. The city states building permit fees are calculated after departmental review.
5. 05
   If plan review is required, respond to corrections and provide approved hard-copy plan sets when requested by the Building Division.
6. 06
   After issuance, post the permit or job card, keep city-approved plans on site, and schedule inspections through the OpenGov portal or the 24-hour inspection line.
7. 07
   Obtain final inspection approval before occupancy or project closeout.

Typical processing time: No published turnaround found in posted city sources.

Source: City of Selma Community Development Department, Building Division ↗

For fire permits, the city states payment and pickup occur at City Hall and fees may be mailed with plans after confirming totals with the Fire Marshal. No separate posted building payment instruction was found in the sources reviewed.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• Permit portal (online)
• (559) 891-2220 (phone)
• (559) 891-2208 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Requests must be made before 3:30 PM for next-day inspection.

Inspection hours

Requests must be made before 3:30 PM for next-day inspection. Inspections are generally performed between 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM. Building counter or general office hours posted are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Typical sequence: Required inspections are assigned when the permit is issued. Applicants must provide the jobsite address, permit number, type of inspection, contact name, and best contact method. Keep approved plans and the permit or job card on site, and ensure work is ready and accessible.

Source: City of Selma Community Development Department, Building Division ↗