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Selma is a city of roughly 25,000 residents in Fresno County in California's Central Valley. Like most smaller California cities, Selma has not enacted a citywide rent control or rent stabilization ordinance for conventional apartments or houses.
California state law, however, provides meaningful baseline protections for most tenants statewide. The Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482) caps annual rent increases, requires just cause for eviction, and prohibits landlord self-help evictions. Additional statutes govern security deposits, habitability, and retaliation.
Selma did take one notable local step: in July 2024 the city enacted a mobile home park rent stabilization ordinance to protect residents of senior mobile home communities such as McCall Village from unreasonable rent and cost pass-throughs.
Selma has no citywide rent control or rent stabilization ordinance for apartments, houses, condominiums, or other conventional rental housing. Landlords of unprotected units may raise rent by any amount, subject only to the proper notice requirements and state law caps that apply to qualifying units.
Tenants who believe their unit qualifies under AB 1482 should check whether their building type and tenancy length meet the statutory thresholds (Civ. Code §1947.12).
Rent cap (AB 1482 / Civ. Code §1947.12): For qualifying rental units—generally apartments in buildings 15 or more years old that are not single-family homes exempt under the act—annual rent increases are capped at 5% plus local CPI, not to exceed 10% total. Landlords may not impose more than two increases in any 12-month period.
Just-cause eviction (Civ. Code §1946.2): Once a tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a qualifying unit for 12 months, the landlord may only evict for enumerated just-cause reasons, including nonpayment of rent, breach of a material lease term, criminal activity on the premises, or certain owner move-in and withdrawal-from-rental-market situations. SB 567 (effective April 2024) added additional tenant protections and enforcement mechanisms for owner move-in and substantial remodel evictions.
Security deposit cap (AB 12 / Civ. Code §1950.5): Effective July 1, 2024, landlords may not collect a security deposit exceeding one month's rent for unfurnished units. Deposits must be returned with an itemized statement within 21 days of the tenant vacating.
Notice to vacate (Civ. Code §1946.1): Landlords must provide at least 30 days' written notice for tenancies of less than one year, and 60 days' written notice for tenancies of one year or more.
Habitability (Civ. Code §§1941.1, 1942): Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition. If a landlord refuses to make necessary repairs, tenants may, after proper notice, exercise the repair-and-deduct remedy or withhold rent in certain circumstances.
Retaliation prohibited (Civ. Code §1942.5): Landlords may not raise rent, reduce services, or threaten eviction in retaliation for a tenant asserting legal rights or complaining to a government agency about habitability.
No self-help evictions (Civ. Code §789.3): Landlords may not lock out tenants, remove doors or windows, or shut off utilities to force a tenant to vacate. Violations entitle the tenant to actual damages plus a penalty of up to $100 per day.
Selma enacted a mobile home park rent stabilization ordinance in July 2024, primarily in response to concerns raised by residents of McCall Village, a senior mobile home park located at 1701 Dinuba Ave. The ordinance applies to mobile home park space rents within the city.
Key provisions include: (1) space rent charges are divided into base rent and separately itemized charges for amenities and utilities; (2) park owners wishing to pass through costs of new capital expenses—defined as improvements or additions that did not previously exist in the park—must first obtain advance approval from a majority of the park's tenants, unless the improvement is legally mandated; and (3) residents may petition the city council to review rent increases they believe violate the ordinance. In April 2026, the Selma City Council held a petition hearing and voted 3-1 to approve an increase tied to a required backflow valve installation, subject to the park providing full documentation of expenses to residents.
Tenants in conventional apartments, houses, or condominiums in Selma are not covered by this local ordinance and must rely on California state law protections.
Under California Civil Code §1950.5 as amended by AB 12 (effective July 1, 2024), a Selma landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit exceeding one month's rent for an unfurnished unit. Prior to AB 12 taking effect, the limit was two months' rent for unfurnished units.
After a tenant moves out, the landlord has 21 days to return the unused portion of the deposit along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. Allowable deductions are limited to: unpaid rent, cleaning the unit to the condition it was in at move-in (excluding normal wear and tear), repairing damage beyond normal wear and tear, and—if the lease permits—restoring or replacing furnishings. Deductions for normal wear and tear are not permitted. If the landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the itemized statement within 21 days, the tenant may be entitled to recover the full deposit plus statutory damages up to twice the deposit amount.
In Selma, as throughout California, the eviction process must go through the courts. A landlord may not remove a tenant by changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities (Civ. Code §789.3).
Notice requirements: Before filing an eviction lawsuit (unlawful detainer), the landlord must serve a written notice—typically a 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit for nonpayment, or a 3-Day Notice to Cure or Quit for a lease violation. For no-fault just-cause evictions (e.g., owner move-in), a 60-day notice is generally required, along with one month's relocation assistance under AB 1482.
Just-cause requirement: Tenants who have lived in a qualifying unit for at least 12 months may only be evicted for a specific reason listed in Civil Code §1946.2. If the landlord fails to establish just cause, the tenant can raise this as a defense in court.
Unlawful detainer process: After a proper notice period, the landlord may file an unlawful detainer action in Fresno County Superior Court. The tenant has five court days to respond. If the tenant responds, a trial is typically set within 20 days. A writ of possession is required before any physical removal of the tenant, and only the Fresno County Sheriff may enforce it.
Tenants facing eviction should seek assistance immediately from Central California Legal Services or California Rural Legal Assistance, as deadlines in eviction cases are short.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently; verify current statutes and local ordinances before relying on this information. Tenants with specific legal questions should consult a licensed California attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
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