Before You Build in Fairfield, CA: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Fairfield follows California Civil Code §841, the Good Neighbor Fence Law: adjoining owners are presumed to share equally in the cost of building, maintaining, or replacing a boundary fence. Anyone wanting cost-sharing must give 30 days' written notice describing the problem, proposed solution, and estimated cost before incurring expense.

Fairfield Municipal Code Section 25.30 caps front-yard fences at 42 inches within 15 feet of the front property line and 7 feet beyond that. Street side yards are limited to 42 inches. Multifamily and commercial open decorative fences may reach 10 feet with Police Department written approval.

Fairfield does not prescribe specific residential fence materials beyond prohibiting barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fencing in residential zones. Common materials (wood, vinyl, masonry, wrought iron, chain link) are allowed subject to height and setback limits in FMC 25.30. Heart of Fairfield Plan zones impose additional design standards.

Residential pools in Fairfield must be enclosed by a barrier between 60 and 72 inches tall with self-closing, self-latching gates that open away from the pool. Gaps under 4 inches diameter; max 2-inch ground clearance. California Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety §115921) additionally requires two of seven drowning-prevention features.

Fairfield requires a building permit for fences and freestanding walls over 7 feet tall and for retaining walls over 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing. Fences at or below 7 feet that meet the height tables in FMC 25.30 do not need a permit, but they must comply with setback and sight-distance rules.

A Fairfield building permit is required to install any pool, spa, hot tub, or wading pool that holds water deeper than 18 inches. Permits cover structural, plumbing, electrical, and gas work and require pre-plaster and final inspections under FMC §14.5 and the California Building Code.

California's Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety §115921) requires two of seven approved drowning-prevention features at any new pool or remodel permit. Anti-entrapment drain covers (VGBA compliant), self-closing/self-latching gates, and door alarms are standard. Fairfield Building Safety inspects compliance at pre-plaster and final.

Pool barriers in Fairfield must be 60-72 inches tall with no climbable surfaces, openings no larger than a 4-inch sphere, and self-closing self-latching gates opening away from the pool. State law (H&S §115921) requires two drowning-prevention features at permit issuance for new pools and remodels.

Garage-to-ADU conversions are permitted by right in Fairfield under FMC §25.20 and Gov Code §65852.2. Existing structures converted to ADUs require no additional setback or parking replacement. Full building, electrical, plumbing, and energy compliance (CalGreen, Title 24) still apply to the converted space.

Fairfield permits accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior ADUs (JADUs) on residential lots per FMC §25.20 and California Gov Code §65852.2/.22. Detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft and 16 feet tall; attached ADUs up to 50% of primary or 1,200 sq ft, whichever less. JADUs up to 500 sq ft. No additional density counted.

Fairfield exempts detached accessory structures under 120 sq ft and 12 feet tall from building permits but requires zoning compliance (setbacks, location, max coverage). Sheds under 60 sq ft and 7 feet tall may be placed anywhere except the front setback. Larger structures need a permit and may need engineered drawings.

Fairfield adopts the California Fire Code via Municipal Code Chapter 8 (Ordinance 2022-15). Recreational fires must stay at least 25 feet from any structure, and portable outdoor fireplaces 15 feet. Only clean wood or manufactured logs are permitted; burning trash, leaves, or construction debris is prohibited.

Open burning of yard waste, trash, or construction debris is prohibited within Fairfield city limits. The Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District (YSAQMD) regulates allowable burning in the broader region; only permitted recreational fires and agricultural burns on YSAQMD-approved burn days outside the city are allowed.

Fairfield Municipal Code Chapter 21 (Trees and Shrubs) prohibits anyone other than the property owner or city-authorized personnel from pruning, injuring, or destroying any tree on private or public land. Protected trees under Section 25.36 require a permit before significant pruning.

Fairfield permanently prohibits landscape irrigation between noon and 6:00 p.m., aligns with statewide bans on watering non-functional turf at commercial sites (AB 1572), and tightens restrictions when Lake Berryessa drops to 50% or 37% full.

Fairfield's Section 25.36 Tree Conservation ordinance requires a permit to remove any protected tree. Unauthorized removal triggers mitigation at three inches replanted for every inch removed.