# Sign Regulations in Selma, California

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Selma, California, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Selma, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/selma
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-24
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/selmaca/latest/selma_ca/0-0-0-18690)

## At a glance

Selma, California regulates 26 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Model Home Signs in the Residential Zone (R-1-12, R-1-9, R-1-7, R-1-4, R-2, R-2-A, R-3, R-3-A, R-4) zoning district are capped at 5 feet tall and 6 square feet, with a 5 feet from property line (general for freestanding) setback (Sec. 11-3-8(I)(1)(a)(1)). Most commercial signs in Selma require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 500 square feet total or 2,500 cubic feet for three-dimensional displays | — |
| Residential Zone (R-1-12, R-1-9, R-1-7, R-1-4, R-2, R-2-A, R-3, R-3-A, R-4) | 6 | 18 feet to top of flag | 64 square feet | — |
| Commercial Zone (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-R, C-H, PMD, CBD) | 13 | 75 feet | 800 square feet | — |
| Industrial Zone (M-1, M-2) | 5 | 50 feet to top of structure | 672 square feet per sign face | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential Zone (R-1-12, R-1-9, R-1-7, R-1-4, R-2, R-2-A, R-3, R-3-A, R-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Model Home Sign | 5 feet | 6 square feet | — | 5 feet from property line (general for freestanding) | One per model home | At each model home | — | 11-3-8(I)(1)(a)(1) |
| Model Home Flag | 18 feet to top of flag | 15 square feet | — | 5 feet from property line (general for freestanding) | One per 20 feet of street frontage | Mounted along street frontage | — | 11-3-8(I)(1)(a)(1) |
| Subdivision Sales Sign | 8 feet | 64 square feet | — | 5 feet from property line (general for freestanding) | One per major arterial or primary frontage if not adjacent to major arterial | On major arterial or primary frontage | — | 11-3-8(I)(1)(a)(2) |
| Subdivision Entry Sign | 6 feet | 40 square feet | — | 5 feet from property line (general for freestanding) | One per side of street at each entrance | At each entrance adjacent to major arterial or primary frontage, one per side of street | — | 11-3-8(I)(1)(a)(3) |
| Multi-Family Identification Sign | 6 feet | 40 square feet | — | 5 feet from property line (general for freestanding) | One per 250 feet of street frontage or fraction thereof | Per street frontage | — | 11-3-8(I)(1)(b) |
| Mobile Home Park Identification Sign | 6 feet | 40 square feet | — | 5 feet from property line (general for freestanding) | One per 250 feet of street frontage or fraction thereof | Per street frontage, integrated into walls or fences | — | 11-3-8(I)(1)(c) |

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

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Single Tenant <5 Acres | 20 feet | 60 square feet | — | 5 feet from property line | One per 250 feet of street frontage or fraction thereof | Based on developed portion of site | — | 11-3-8(I)(2)(a)(1)A |
| Freestanding Sign - Single Tenant >=5 Acres | 20 feet | 100 square feet | — | 5 feet from property line | One per 250 feet of street frontage or fraction thereof | Based on developed portion of site | — | 11-3-8(I)(2)(a)(1)B |
| Freestanding Sign - Multi-Tenant | 20 feet | 100 square feet | — | 5 feet from property line | One per 250 feet of street frontage or fraction thereof | Per street frontage | — | 11-3-8(I)(2)(b)A |
| Electronic Reader Board Sign | 75 feet | 800 square feet | — | — | Not specified | On permitted mounting | — | 11-3-8(I)(2)(b)D |
| Freeway-Oriented Sign | 75 feet | 200 square feet | — | 10 feet from Highway 99 | Not specified | Within 600 feet of Highway 99 right-of-way, rear 40% of parcel | — | 11-3-8(I)(2)(b)E |
| Under-Canopy Sign | — | 6 square feet | 3 feet | — | One per covered entrance | Under covered walkway, one per covered entrance | — | 11-3-8(I)(2)(b)G |
| On-site Directional Signage | 3 feet in sight distance triangle | 6 square feet | — | — | Not specified | On-site, not in sight distance triangle above 3 feet | — | 11-3-8(I)(2)(b)H |
| Directory Signage | 6 feet, 3 feet in sight distance triangle | 16 square feet | — | — | Not specified | On-site, not in sight distance triangle above 3 feet | — | 11-3-8(I)(2)(b)I |

### Industrial Zone (M-1, M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Industrial | 20 feet | 100 square feet | — | 5 feet from property line | One per 250 feet of street frontage or fraction thereof | Per street frontage for industrial complex | — | 11-3-8(I)(3)(a) |
| Wall Sign - Industrial | — | — | — | — | Based on frontage | On freestanding industrial building walls adjacent to street, parking or drive | — | 11-3-8(I)(3)(b) |
| Billboard | 50 feet to top of structure | 672 square feet per sign face | — | Not within 500 feet of residential or other billboards | Multiple per parcel possible, but spacing required | Within 200 feet of Highway 99, in M-1 or M-2, not within 500 feet of residential or another billboard/freeway-oriented sign | — | 11-3-8(M) |
| Electronic Billboard | 50 feet to top of structure | 672 square feet per sign face (same as standard) | — | Same as billboard, plus 1000 feet from other electronic | Same as billboard | Same as billboard | — | 11-3-8(M)(4) |
| Mural | — | — | — | — | Not specified | Sides of buildings and walls in industrial zones | — | 11-3-8(L) |

## Prohibited signs in Selma

- Animated signs.
- Signs emitting foreign material or sound.
- Flashing signs, except for time and temperature signs and electronic reader boards.
- Revolving signs, except barber poles.
- Movable signs mounted on trailers, trucks or similar conveyance.
- Pennants, banners, and flags except as specifically allowed by this Chapter.
- Off-site signs, except as specifically allowed by this Chapter.
- Signs that display a message, graphic presentation, or other image that is obscene as defined by section 311 of the California Penal Code.
- Roof Signs: All signs mounted on or above the roof line of a structure, except that, the placement of signs on a mansard roof are allowed provided that such signs are placed in the lower two-thirds (2/3) of the mansard and no portion of the sign extends into the top one-third (1/3) of the mansard roof. All mansard roof signs shall be integrated into the mansard structure.
- Projecting Signs: No projecting signs are allowed except barber poles which may project twenty four inches (24").
- Signs imitative of official street and traffic control signs, except when used for on-site traffic direction. Such signs would include those which contain or imitate an official traffic sign or signal, or containing the words stop, go, slow, caution, danger, warning, or similar words which in context of the sign could be misconstrued to be a traffic or safety warning sign.
- Portable signs (including sign(s) placed on operable other than stationary vehicle).
- Signs which are cut, burned, limed, painted or otherwise marked on a field, tree, rock or other natural feature.
- No sign shall be erected so as to obstruct any door, fire escape or other emergency exit of any structure. No sign shall be erected in any public right-of-way.
- All freestanding signs shall be setback a minimum of five feet from any property line as measured from the nearest portion of the sign and its supports.

## Signs exempt from permit in Selma

- Signs required by Federal/State law;
- Official signs posted by a governmental body, including, flags, banners, emblems, or signs issued by a government body including notices, traffic or highway signs, railroad crossing signs, or similar regulatory or warning devices and legal notices;
- Holiday displays and decorations, only when not creating a traffic hazard or located within any visual setback area in the sight distance triangle;
- Commemorative or memorial plaques, tables, date of construction, and similar signs constructed of permanent material. Only one sign for each structure, not to exceed two square feet in area for each sign is allowed;
- Signs located inside a structure, provided these signs are not conspicuously visible and readable from a public street or adjacent properties not under the same ownership;
- "No Trespassing" signs. Each sign is limited to one square foot in area. Signs may be placed at each corner and each entrance to a parcel and at intervals of not less than fifty feet (50') or in compliance with legal requirements;
- Real Estate Signs: (1) "For Rent", "For Sale", and "For Lease" signs shall be posted on the subject parcel, including common driveways, that is being advertised by an authorized agent; (2) Real estate signs shall not exceed eight (8) square feet for single-family residential and thirty two (32) square feet for multi-family or non-residential for each side of a double-sided sign; (3) Shall not be placed in the public right-of-way; (4) There shall be no more than one sign per street frontage; and (5) Illuminated real estate signs are prohibited.
- Weekend off-site subdivision directional and off-site open house signs subject to the following regulations: (1) Such signs shall not exceed ten (10) signs per subdivision or shall not exceed two signs per open house. (2) Such signs shall not exceed four (4) square feet. (3) Such signs shall not be placed in any public right-of-way or on any public utility fixture. No sign shall be placed without the property owner's permission. (4) Signs shall be posted no earlier than five o'clock (5:00) P.M. of Friday afternoon and shall be removed not later than nine o'clock (9:00) A.M. on Monday morning. If a legal holiday extends the weekend, signs may be posted during that holiday. (5) Off-site subdivision and open house signs shall be subject to abatement.
- Signs placed by utilities or other publicly regulated service providers indicating location of underground facilities, danger, and aids to service or safety, including official advisory and signal flags;
- Copy changes in approved changeable copy signs;
- Signs or notices incidental to a commercial, mixed-use, or industrial establishment (e.g., hours of operation, credit card information, emergency contact information, help wanted, open-close) provided the signs do not contain any commercial messages, the establishment logo, and in total do not exceed four square feet in area for all incidental signs;
- Window signs not exceeding twenty five percent (25%) of a tenant's total window space but prohibit the outline of windows with neon/LED light borders.
- Routine Maintenance: Painting, repainting, cleaning, and/or other maintenance of a sign shall not be considered erecting or altering a sign. No Sign Permit shall be required unless structural changes are proposed.
- Building Permit May Be Required: Under certain circumstances, temporary signs and other exempt signs may require a Building or Electrical Permit, as required by the uniform codes adopted by the City.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All multi-tenant shopping or office developments shall submit a sign program to the Community Development Department for review and approval.
- The Planning Commission may grant a sign variance for a sign, provided that strict and literal interpretation and enforcement of this Chapter would create an unnecessary hardship to the applicant. An unnecessary hardship may result from the size, shape, or dimensions of a site, or the existing locations of structures on the site, or the physical conditions on the site or immediately adjacent to the site. In no case shall the variance be granted for greater than ten percent (10%) of any one aspect of the sign from the sign code. The applicant shall file an application as provided by the Community Development Department, fees and an exact statement as to what hardship would be created. The decision of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council in compliance with the appeals process establish by this Chapter.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 4 zoning districts in Selma — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Selma+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-selma

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