Fairfield, CA Accessory Structures: Shed Rules (2026)

Unattached accessory structures (sheds, playhouses, garden buildings) with less than 60 sq ft of projected roof area and less than 7 feet of height may be located anywhere on the lot except in the required front-yard setback. Structures between 60 and 120 sq ft require Community Development Department zoning review but no building permit. Anything 120 sq ft or larger requires a building permit. Maximum height for all accessory buildings is 12 feet. If located between 3 and 5 feet from a side or rear property line, walls must be constructed with materials rated for 1-hour fire-resistive construction and may have unprotected openings on no more than 25% of the wall; less than 3 feet is not allowed without an engineered exception. Structures more than 5 feet from any property line may have unlimited wall openings. Animal-shelter accessory buildings have additional limits (no closer than 10 feet from any property line, and no closer to a side street than the main building). Sheds count toward lot coverage limits in the underlying zone.