Fairfield, CA — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

City of Fairfield Building Safety Division (Community Development Department)

Street address

1000 Webster Street, 2nd Floor, Fairfield, CA 94533

Phone

(707) 428-7451

Building@fairfield.ca.gov

Coverage

Applies to work in the incorporated City of Fairfield. Solano County handles only unincorporated county projects.

Online portal

Fairfield BUILD

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Fairfield

The city states that Building Safety reviews new construction and improvements to existing structures, and Public Works separately lists city-owned right-of-way, grading, transportation, and construction water meter permits.

Note: A definitive city-published exempt-work list was not retrievable from the indexed permit pages. The city publishes checklists, forms, and an owner-builder flyer, so applicants should confirm exemptions with permit staff before starting work.

Required documents

Digital plans
Permit applications
Required submittal documents
Project-specific checklists and forms published by Building Safety or Public Works

Building code: 2025 California Building Codes effective January 1, 2026

Source: City of Fairfield Building Safety Division (Community Development Department) ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Public Works encroachment permits are currently documented with a 4-6 week approval window.

01

Create a Fairfield BUILD account.
02

Submit permit applications and plans through BUILD, or use the public kiosks at City Hall for in-person help.
03

Upload required plans and supporting documents in non-password-protected digital format.
04

City departments review the project based on scope, including Building Safety, Planning, Public Works, and Fire.
05

Pay plan check fees at submission and remaining fees at permit issuance.
06

After issuance, schedule inspections through BUILD.

Typical processing time: Public Works encroachment permits are currently documented with a 4-6 week approval window.

Source: City of Fairfield Building Safety Division (Community Development Department) ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Fairfield building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Plan check fee

Payable upon submission of plans.

Permit fee formula

The city publishes multiple permit fee schedules by fiscal year and project category.

The city accepts cash, check, and Mastercard, Visa, or Discover. Credit-card convenience fees apply.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

Fairfield BUILD (online)
(707) 428-7451 (phone)
Building@fairfield.ca.gov (email)

Inspection hours: Indexed city bulletins note modified counter hours around the BUILD transition, including planning counter closure on Mondays from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM and building counter closure on Wednesdays from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM during that period.

Typical sequence: Projects move from plan submittal to departmental review, permit issuance, inspection scheduling in BUILD, and final inspection completion.

Source: City of Fairfield Building Safety Division (Community Development Department) ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Fairfield permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Fairfield, CA? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in Fairfield, CA? ▸

Building permit fees in Fairfield, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: The city publishes multiple permit fee schedules by fiscal year and project category.. Plan check fee: Payable upon submission of plans..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Fairfield, CA? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Fairfield, CA, follow these steps: 1. Create a Fairfield BUILD account. 2. Submit permit applications and plans through BUILD, or use the public kiosks at City Hall for in-person help. 3. Upload required plans and supporting documents in non-password-protected digital format. 4. City departments review the project based on scope, including Building Safety, Planning, Public Works, and Fire. 5. Pay plan check fees at submission and remaining fees at permit issuance. 6. After issuance, schedule inspections through BUILD.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Fairfield, CA? ▸

Building permit processing times in Fairfield, CA typically run Public Works encroachment permits are currently documented with a 4-6 week approval window.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Fairfield, CA? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Fairfield, CA via: Fairfield BUILD, (707) 428-7451, Building@fairfield.ca.gov.

last verified April 2026 source City of Fairfield Building Safety Division (Community Development Department) ↗ entry id permits/california/solano/fairfield

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Fairfield Building Safety Division (Community Development Department) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Fairfield

Other jurisdictions in Solano County.