Town of Fairfax, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies within the incorporated Town of Fairfax. Unincorporated Marin County areas are handled by Marin County, not the Town.

Department

Town of Fairfax Department of Planning and Building Services; Building Division for construction permits

Address

142 Bolinas Road, Fairfax, CA 94930

Phone

Town Hall / Planning and Building Services: 415-453-1584; Building Official: 415-458-2370; Inspection Line: 415-453-2263

Email

mlockaby@townoffairfax.org , jbeiswenger@townoffairfax.org , payment-verification/general planning contact: planning@townoffairfaxca.gov

Website

https://townoffairfaxca.gov/departments/planning-building/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the project needs planning approvals before building permit review. Fairfax states many single-family residential projects require public hearings and discretionary approvals from the Design Review Board and Planning Commission before building permit processing.
2. Download the current building permit application and any project-specific supplements from the Town forms page.
3. Complete the application with job address, work description, valuation, square footage, contractor or owner-builder declaration, workers' compensation declaration, and lender information if applicable.
4. Submit the completed permit application to Building Official Mark Lockaby at mlockaby@townoffairfax.org as directed on the Town forms page.
5. Respond to Town review comments and provide plans, supporting documents, and any required planning/fire/engineering clearances.
6. Pay approved permit fees in person at Town Hall. Fairfax warns that it does not request permit payments online by email.
7. After issuance, post the inspection record card and call the inspection line at least 24 hours before the requested inspection.

Typical processing time: No general turnaround is posted for standard building permits. Fairfax's EVSE checklist says a permit shall be issued once the checklist is deemed complete unless the installation may have a specific adverse impact on public health or safety.

Source: Town of Fairfax Department of Planning and Building Services; Building Division for construction permits

General Requirements

Fairfax states it implements the California Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Codes, and its permit application requires a construction permit before work subject to those codes. The application is used for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and demolition permits.

Required Documents

• Completed construction permit application
• project description
• valuation
• square-footage information if applicable
• contractor license information or owner-builder declaration
• workers' compensation declaration
• lender information if applicable
• separate property-owner verification or agent authorization where applicable
• plans and supporting materials required by plan review. Fairfax also posts project-specific forms such as an EVSE checklist

Permit validity

Fairfax's application and inspection card state the permit expires 180 days from issuance. One written extension of up to 180 additional days may be requested from the Building Official before expiration.

Building code

Fairfax reported that the Town Council updated its building and fire codes on November 5, 2025, after previously adopting code updates in 2022. The Planning and Building page states the Town implements the California Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Codes.

Owner-builder

Fairfax uses a formal owner-builder declaration in the permit application and separately posts an owner-builder advisory. The Town warns that owner-builders may assume responsibility for construction management, worker injuries, payroll/tax compliance, and liability if unlicensed workers are used.

Contractor requirements

The permit application requires either a California licensed contractor declaration or an owner-builder declaration citing Business and Professions Code Sections 7031.5 and 7044. Owners contracting the work must use licensed contractors to rely on that exemption path.

Fees

Plan check fee

The permit application lists a separate plan-check deposit line, and the fee schedule lists engineering plan-check review fees of $1,000 to $3,000 deposit based on project scope.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. Fairfax uses many flat fees by permit/project type and also applies project-based add-ons. The permit application also shows plan-check charges may be time-based.

Payment note

Fairfax states payments are only accepted in person at Town Hall and that permit-payment requests sent online/by email are fraudulent.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Fairfax's public-facing materials reviewed do not post a Fairfax-specific exempt-work list
• Because Fairfax applies the California Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Codes, permit exemptions generally follow the applicable California code exemptions administered by the local enforcing agency
• California mechanical-code administration materials referenced by the State note that work exempt from permits and minor changes or repairs not affecting structural features, egress, sanitation, safety, or accessibility may be exempt, as determined by the enforcing agency

Important: Exemptions do not authorize work that violates any other law or code requirement. Fairfax applicants should confirm claimed exemptions with the Building Official before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 415-453-2263 (phone)

Inspection hours

The Planning and Building page states inspections are conducted Monday through Thursday, mornings and afternoons.

Time windows

The Planning and Building page states inspections are conducted Monday through Thursday, mornings and afternoons.

Typical inspection sequence: The Town inspection card lists a sequence including footing, foundation, slab/UFER/utilities, under-floor trades, rough framing and rough MEP, insulation, wallboard/firewall and other specialty inspections, then electrical/mechanical/plumbing finals and building final, with interdepartmental clearances as needed. Reinspection note: Fairfax places responsibility on the permit holder to request inspections for each phase before starting the next stage. No separate published reinspection fee was clearly identified in the reviewed materials.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Fairfax reported that the Town Council updated its building and fire codes on November 5, 2025, after previously adopting code updates in 2022. The Planning and Building page states the Town implements the California Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Codes.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Forms and permits
• Planning and Building FAQ
• Issued building permits
• Building permit application PDF
• Owner-builder advisory
• Building/fire code update notice
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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