Accessory Structures in Fairfield, CA (2026)
5 verified accessory structures rules for Fairfield, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Fairfield's zoning code caps a detached ADU at 1,200 square feet and 16 feet in height, with four-foot side and rear setbacks, under § 25.20.4.11. An attached ADU can't exceed 50 percent of the primary home's floor area or 1,200 square feet, whichever is smaller.
Fairfield ADU Size and Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsFairfield Municipal Code § 25.20.4.11.D.2.a
An attached ADU shall not exceed 50 percent of the floor area of the primary dwelling or 1,200 square feet, whichever is less. A detached ADU shall not exceed 1,200 square feet. The maximum height for an ADU shall be 16 feet, measured to the roof peak. When more than 50% of the gross floor area of an ADU is located above an existing or proposed garage, the entire combined structure shall not ex...
ADU Impact Fees
Fairfield charges accessory dwelling units and junior ADUs a water connection fee sized to their fixture-unit burden under City Code Section 22.20.060(C). Section 22.20.070(B) waives that charge entirely for any ADU or JADU under 750 square feet, or one that meets Government Code Section 66323(a)(1).
Fairfield ADU Water Connection Fee Rules
Some RestrictionsFairfield City Code § 22.20.060(C)
Accessory dwelling units. ADUs and JADUs are defined in section 25.50. ADUs and JADUs shall be subject to the payment of all water connection charges, except as otherwise provided in section 25.20.4.11.F, or in Government Code Sections 66314 and 66333. The connection charge shall be proportionate to the burden of the proposed ADU or JADU, based on fixture units. ADUs and JADUs constructed with ...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Fairfield requires the property owner to live on-site, in either the primary home or the new unit, whenever a junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU) is added, under Fairfield Municipal Code § 25.20.4.11.G. Detached ADUs built alone carry no such owner-occupancy requirement.
Fairfield JADU Owner-Occupancy Rule
Some RestrictionsFairfield Municipal Code § 25.20.4.11.G
Owner occupancy of a residential property is required for any property with a JADU. The property owner may reside within the remaining primary residence or the newly created JADU. This subsection does not apply to a property owned by a government agency, land trust, or housing organization.
Shed & Carport Rules
Fairfield's Zoning Ordinance sorts backyard sheds into a small accessory structure class capped at 7 feet high and 60 square feet, screened behind a solid 6-foot fence, or a large accessory structure class up to 16 feet with no size limit but confined to the rear half of the lot.
Fairfield, CA Shed and Accessory Structure Rules
Some RestrictionsFairfield, CA Municipal Code § 25.20.4.1, Table 25-7
Table 25-7: Accessory Structure and Room Addition Regulations (applicable to all properties with single family attached or detached dwellings in any zoning district) Height and Size Limits Maximum height 7 feet 16 feet 35 feet Maximum size (floor area) 60 sq. ft. No limit No limit Location Behind solid 6 ft. or higher fence / Rear half of usable lot / Within allowed setbacks Rear yard coverage ...
Garage Conversions
Fairfield bars garage conversions on lots under 4,500 square feet and requires a replacement on-site parking space for any converted space that displaces required parking. The garage door itself must stay intact or be redesigned to architecturally match the house.
Fairfield, CA Garage Conversion Rules
Some RestrictionsFairfield, CA Municipal Code § 25.20.4.3
A. Minimum lot size. No garage conversion shall be permitted on a lot less than 4,500 square feet. B. Parking requirements. A garage conversion shall only be permitted when one on-site parking space is provided for each required parking space displaced by the conversion, if the space is required by this ordinance. Garages may be converted to an ADU or JADU without replacing the parking displace...
Looking for Solano County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fairfield city rules.
Accessory Structures in Solano County →