Fairfield Building Permits Guide for Homeowners

Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team.

Fairfield’s Building Safety Division reviews plans, issues permits and schedules inspections online through the city’s BUILD portal, and plans are routed to Building Safety, Planning, Public Works and Fire Prevention for review. This guide explains how that process works for homeowners, what to expect at the counter and on inspection days, and how permit history affects a Fairfield home sale.

Fairfield building permits at a glance

Department	Building Safety Division, Community Development
Address	1000 Webster Street, 2nd Floor, Fairfield, CA 94533
Phone and email	707.428.7451, Building@fairfield.ca.gov
Online portal	BUILD (permit applications, plan review status, inspection requests)
Fire Prevention	707.399.5627
Building code	Fairfield Municipal Code Chapter 5, Building and Housing Code
Hours	Monday to Friday, closed every other Friday; confirm the current schedule with the city

When you need a permit in Fairfield

Like other California cities, Fairfield requires a permit for most structural work, additions, electrical and plumbing changes, mechanical systems, re-roofs, water heater replacements and many remodels.

The city’s building resources are organized around Documents and Forms, Homeowner References, Permit Fees, the Plan Check Process and Records, so start there to find the handout that matches your project. If you are not sure whether your work needs a permit, call the division at 707.428.7451 before you start.

Work done without a permit is the main reason homes reach the market with open questions, and our statewide guide to selling with unpermitted work covers how those questions affect a sale.

How the Fairfield permit process works

Prepare your project

Gather your parcel information, a clear description of the work, and drawings if the project needs them. Larger projects are reviewed by more than one department, so questions about zoning, setbacks or accessory dwelling units may go to Planning first; see our Fairfield zoning and ADU guide.

Apply through BUILD or at the counter

The city accepts applications through the online BUILD portal, which runs on the Tyler EnerGov system. Plans and records posted there are generally available as unsecured PDFs.

The Community Development lobby also has public kiosks for looking up records; the city advises bringing a flash drive if you want to save files.

The office is open 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5:30 p.m., while the public counter runs 8 to 11:45 a.m. and 1 to 5:30 p.m. and is closed Wednesday from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Plan check

Plan check is the review of your drawings against the building code and city requirements. For Fairfield, the review involves Building Safety, Planning, Public Works and Fire. Delays usually come from incomplete drawings or a department asking for corrections, so respond to comments quickly and keep the same set of plans for every resubmittal.

Request inspections

Inspections are requested through BUILD. You can express a preference for a morning window from 8 a.m. to noon or an afternoon window from noon to 4 p.m., but the city does not guarantee it, and someone should be available between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the day.

The city may reschedule to the next work day. Approved plans and the inspection card must be on site, or you may be charged a re-inspection fee. Inspections by other departments, such as Fire, come first, and the building final follows.

Pre-approved ADU plans and the statewide gallery

Fairfield describes a pre-approved ADU program that can save more than 60 percent of plan review fees and cut review time by up to 75 percent. The city lists its own pre-approved plans as coming soon, and points to the statewide gallery at ca.aduaccelerator.org for designs already available. Confirm current availability with the Building Safety Division before choosing a design.

Permit fees and records

Fees depend on the type and value of the work and are listed on the city’s Permit Fees page. Because fee schedules are updated, rely on the city’s current table rather than any estimate you find elsewhere.

The Records page and the public kiosks let you check what permits exist for an address, which is useful before listing a home. Unclosed or expired permits are a common surprise during escrow.

Permits and selling a Fairfield home

Buyers and their inspectors often compare what they see in the house with what the city has on file. Common sale-time problems include finished garages, converted rooms, added bathrooms and patio covers with no permit, and permits that were opened but never finalized.

Disclosure rules and your options are explained in our statewide unpermitted work guide. Costs at closing are covered in the closing costs guide. A checklist before you list:

• Look up your address in BUILD or at the kiosks and note every permit and its status.
• Compare the house to the permit record: rooms, bathrooms, garage and any detached structures.
• Ask Building Safety about open or expired permits and what closing them would take.
• Collect final inspection cards and any contractor invoices.
• Decide whether to fix, legalize, disclose or sell as-is.

How to sell a house in Fairfield

1. Pull the permit history for your address.
2. Note any work that has no permit or an open permit.
3. Request a no-obligation cash offer for the home as it is.
4. Pick a closing date that suits you.
5. Close without permit cleanup, repairs or showings.

Learn more on our Fairfield cash offer process page or see how we buy Fairfield houses as-is.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Fairfield Building Safety Division?

It is at 1000 Webster Street, 2nd Floor, Fairfield, CA 94533. You can call 707.428.7451 or email Building@fairfield.ca.gov.

How do I apply for a building permit in Fairfield?

Use the city’s online BUILD portal or visit the counter at the Community Development office.

How do I schedule an inspection?

Request it through BUILD. You can state a morning or afternoon preference, but it is not guaranteed, so be available between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

What do I need on site for an inspection?

Approved plans and the inspection card. Without them the city may charge a re-inspection fee.

Can I look up permits on my property?

Yes. Use the BUILD portal or the public kiosks in the Community Development lobby.

Can I sell my Fairfield house with unpermitted work?

Yes. You must disclose what you know, and you can sell as-is, including to a cash buyer.

Does Fairfield have pre-approved ADU plans?

The city describes a program to speed up and lower the cost of ADU plan review. Its own plans are listed as coming soon, and a statewide gallery is available at ca.aduaccelerator.org.

More guides

• We Buy Houses in Fairfield
• We Buy Houses in Solano County
• Solano County Property Tax Guide
• Fairfield Code Enforcement Guide
• Fairfield Zoning and ADU Guide
• Sell My House Fast in Fairfield
• All California Guides

Sources

• City of Fairfield: Building Safety Division

This guide is general information from public sources, not legal advice. Confirm current rules with the city.