Rental Property Rules in Fairfield, CA (2026)
5 verified rental property rules for Fairfield, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Fairfield has not adopted a local rent control ordinance. Rent increases on covered rental units are governed by California's Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482, codified as Civil Code §1947.12), which caps annual rent increases at 5% plus the regional Consumer Price Index (CPI), not to exceed 10% in any 12-month period. The Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act (Civil Code §§1954.50-1954.535) preempts Fairfield from imposing rent control on single-family homes, condominiums, and units first certified for occupancy after February 1, 1995.
Fairfield Rent Control (No Local Ordinance — Statewide AB 1482 Cap Applies)
Some RestrictionsCal. Civ. Code Sec. 1947.12 (Rent Cap - Tenant Protection Act / AB 1482)
1947.12. (a)(1) Subject to subdivision (b), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months prio...
Just Cause Eviction
Fairfield has not adopted a local just-cause eviction ordinance. Termination of tenancy on covered rental units is governed by the just-cause provisions of California's Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482, Civil Code §1946.2), which after 12 months of continuous tenancy require the landlord to state an 'at-fault' or 'no-fault' just cause. No-fault terminations require relocation assistance equal to one month's rent. Single-family homes and condominiums owned by natural persons with proper notice in the lease are exempt.
Fairfield Just-Cause Eviction (No Local Ordinance — AB 1482 Just Cause Applies)
Some RestrictionsCal. Civ. Code Sec. 1946.2 (Just Cause for Eviction - Tenant Protection Act)
1946.2. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, after a tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a residential real property for 12 months, the owner of the residential real property shall not terminate a tenancy without just cause, which shall be stated in the written notice to terminate tenancy. If any additional adult tenants are added to the lease before an existing tenant has continuously ...
Rental Registration
Fairfield requires a Certificate of Rental Occupancy (CRO) for any dwelling unit offered for rent in the city — including houses, condominiums, apartments, and individual rooms — under Chapter 5 of the Municipal Code (Building and Housing Code). The CRO is tenant-based: a new certificate is required each time a new tenant occupies the unit. The City Council also considered a more comprehensive Rental Housing Safety Program in 2024-2026 that would layer routine inspections, compliance monitoring, and registration on top of the existing CRO framework; the program had not been formally adopted as of mid-2026.
Fairfield Rental Registration (Certificate of Rental Occupancy — Chapter 5 Building & Housing Code)
Some RestrictionsCal. Civ. Code Sec. 1947.12 (Rent Cap - Tenant Protection Act / AB 1482)
1947.12. (a)(1) Subject to subdivision (b), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months prio...
Rental Inspection Programs
Fairfield's existing rental inspection authority operates through the Certificate of Rental Occupancy (CRO) under Chapter 5 of the Municipal Code (per-tenancy habitability check) and Code Enforcement under Chapter 1A for complaints. The City has proposed but not adopted a comprehensive Rental Housing Safety Program built around Assembly Bill 548 (Health & Safety Code §17974) that would add routine cyclical inspections, a unit-by-unit registry, and compliance monitoring. Complaint-driven inspections under Health & Safety Code §17920.3 (substandard housing) remain available regardless of program adoption.
Fairfield Rental Inspections (CRO Habitability + Proposed RHSP Under AB 548)
Some RestrictionsSecurity Deposit Rules
Fairfield does not have a local security deposit ordinance; California Civil Code §1950.5 controls. Effective July 1, 2024, California Assembly Bill 12 (Haney) capped security deposits at one month's rent for both furnished and unfurnished residential properties, with a narrow exception allowing up to two months' rent for small landlords (natural persons or LLCs owning no more than two properties with a total of four units) when the tenant is not a service member. Deposits must be returned within 21 calendar days with an itemized statement.
Fairfield Security Deposits (Capped at One Month's Rent Under AB 12 — Civil Code §1950.5)
Some RestrictionsCal. Civ. Code Sec. 1950.5 (Security Deposits - Residential Tenancies)
1950.5. (a) This section applies to security for a rental agreement for residential property that is used as the dwelling of the tenant. (b) As used in this section, “security” means any payment, fee, deposit, or charge, including, but not limited to, any payment, fee, deposit, or charge, except as provided in Section 1950.6, that is imposed at the beginning of the tenancy to be used to reimbur...
Looking for Solano County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fairfield city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Solano County →