Selma, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Handles permits within the incorporated City of Selma; Fresno County remains the permitting authority for unincorporated county areas.

Department

City of Selma Community Development Department, Building Division

Address

1710 Tucker Street, Selma, CA 93662

Phone

(559) 891-2208

Email

building@cityofselma.com

Website

https://www.cityofselma.com/departments/departments/buildingdepartments/community_development/building/index.php

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. 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. 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. 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. Submit the application and valuation. The city states building permit fees are calculated after departmental review.
5. If plan review is required, respond to corrections and provide approved hard-copy plan sets when requested by the Building Division.
6. 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. 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

General Requirements

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.

Required Documents

• Building permit application
• project description and valuation
• contractor information
• owner-builder or owner authorization paperwork when applicable
• plan sets as required by scope
• Title 24 energy documentation
• structural calculations and soils report when required
• and any department-specific documents for planning, engineering, fire, sewer district, or school fees shown on the city application.

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.

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.

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.

Fees

Plan check fee

Included within the posted CD-001 Building Plan Check or Inspection schedule; additional plan review is billed at the fully allocated hourly rate with a 1-hour minimum where extra review is caused by the applicant.

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based or review-based for building permits. The building page says permit fees are calculated after department review. The posted fee summary lists CD-001 "Building Plan Check/Inspection" and also lists a 3.3% technology surcharge tied to the building permit.

Reinspection fee

The posted building fee summary reviewed does not publish a general building reinspection fee. Fire Prevention policies posted by the city include reinspection fee payment and penalties for work done without permits for fire systems.

Penalty (no permit)

The posted building fee summary reviewed does not publish a general building reinspection fee. Fire Prevention policies posted by the city include reinspection fee payment and penalties for work done without permits for fire systems.

Payment note

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. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

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

Important: 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.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 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 inspection 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.

Additional Resources

• 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.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Forms
• Plan Check
• Inspections
• Permits Plans
• 0 0 0 12238
• 0 0 0 12373
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

Other cities in Fresno County