Fairfield · Land use · Apartment building
Where is an apartment building (multifamily housing) allowed in Fairfield?
In Fairfield, an apartment building (multifamily housing) is allowed in 10 base zones (RM, RH, RVH, CM, HD and 5 more, 6 with a condition), needs a conditional use permit in 5 (RLM, CN, CO, CT and CC, all with a condition) and not allowed in 6 (Fairfield use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: RM, RH, RVH, CM, HD, HDC (upper floors), HO, HWT and 2 more
- Needs a permit: RLM, CN, CO, CT and CC
- Not allowed: RVL, RL, CS, CR, HDC (ground floor) and HPF
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Fairfield Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where an apartment building (multifamily housing) can go
Fairfield's code calls this use “Dwelling, multifamily (townhouses, condos, apartments)”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| RM Residential, Medium Density | Allowed — see note Note 5: Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583.2(i) , the following projects are subject only to ministerial review to determine compliance with the City’s adopted objective design standards, and no discretionary design review shall be required: • Any proposed residential development on sites previously identified in Fairfield’s 5th Cycle General Plan 2023-2031 Housing Element Sites Inventory (e.g., APNs 0038221010 and 0037010120). • Any project with owneroccupied or rental multifamily developments identified in the 2023-2031 Housing Element Sites Inventory, Table B, in which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower income households. | § 25.20.2 |
| RH Residential, High Density | Allowed — see note Note 5: Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583.2(i) , the following projects are subject only to ministerial review to determine compliance with the City’s adopted objective design standards, and no discretionary design review shall be required: • Any proposed residential development on sites previously identified in Fairfield’s 5th Cycle General Plan 2023-2031 Housing Element Sites Inventory (e.g., APNs 0038221010 and 0037010120). • Any project with owneroccupied or rental multifamily developments identified in the 2023-2031 Housing Element Sites Inventory, Table B, in which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower income households. | § 25.20.2 |
| RVH | Allowed — see note Note 5: Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583.2(i) , the following projects are subject only to ministerial review to determine compliance with the City’s adopted objective design standards, and no discretionary design review shall be required: • Any proposed residential development on sites previously identified in Fairfield’s 5th Cycle General Plan 2023-2031 Housing Element Sites Inventory (e.g., APNs 0038221010 and 0037010120). • Any project with owneroccupied or rental multifamily developments identified in the 2023-2031 Housing Element Sites Inventory, Table B, in which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower income households. | § 25.20.2 |
| CM | Allowed — see note Note 3: Residential-only projects are allowed in the CM District. Note 4: Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583.2(i) , the following projects are subject only to ministerial review to determine compliance with the City’s adopted objective design standards, and no discretionary design review shall be required: • Any proposed residential development on sites previously identified in Fairfield’s 6th Cycle General Plan 2023-2031 Housing Element Sites Inventory (e.g., APNs 0038221010 and 0037010120). • Any project with owner-occupied or rental multifamily developments identified in the 2023-2031 Housing Element Sites Inventory, Table B, in which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower income households. | § 25.22.2 |
| HD | Allowed — see note Note 11: Housing is not permitted on the first floor on Texas Street in the HD and HDC Zoning Districts. | § 25.23.2 |
| HDC (upper floors) | Allowed — see note Note 11: Housing is not permitted on the first floor on Texas Street in the HD and HDC Zoning Districts. | § 25.23.2 |
| HO MU-O | Allowed | § 25.23.2 |
| HWT MU-WTS | Allowed | § 25.23.2 |
| HTD MU-TOD | Allowed | § 25.23.2 |
| HR | Allowed | § 25.23.2 |
| RLM | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 5: Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583.2(i) , the following projects are subject only to ministerial review to determine compliance with the City’s adopted objective design standards, and no discretionary design review shall be required: • Any proposed residential development on sites previously identified in Fairfield’s 5th Cycle General Plan 2023-2031 Housing Element Sites Inventory (e.g., APNs 0038221010 and 0037010120). • Any project with owneroccupied or rental multifamily developments identified in the 2023-2031 Housing Element Sites Inventory, Table B, in which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower income households. | § 25.20.2 |
| CN | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 3: Residential-only projects are allowed in the CM District. Note 4: Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583.2(i) , the following projects are subject only to ministerial review to determine compliance with the City’s adopted objective design standards, and no discretionary design review shall be required: • Any proposed residential development on sites previously identified in Fairfield’s 6th Cycle General Plan 2023-2031 Housing Element Sites Inventory (e.g., APNs 0038221010 and 0037010120). • Any project with owner-occupied or rental multifamily developments identified in the 2023-2031 Housing Element Sites Inventory, Table B, in which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower income households. | § 25.22.2 |
| CO | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 3: Residential-only projects are allowed in the CM District. Note 4: Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583.2(i) , the following projects are subject only to ministerial review to determine compliance with the City’s adopted objective design standards, and no discretionary design review shall be required: • Any proposed residential development on sites previously identified in Fairfield’s 6th Cycle General Plan 2023-2031 Housing Element Sites Inventory (e.g., APNs 0038221010 and 0037010120). • Any project with owner-occupied or rental multifamily developments identified in the 2023-2031 Housing Element Sites Inventory, Table B, in which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower income households. | § 25.22.2 |
| CT | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 3: Residential-only projects are allowed in the CM District. Note 4: Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583.2(i) , the following projects are subject only to ministerial review to determine compliance with the City’s adopted objective design standards, and no discretionary design review shall be required: • Any proposed residential development on sites previously identified in Fairfield’s 6th Cycle General Plan 2023-2031 Housing Element Sites Inventory (e.g., APNs 0038221010 and 0037010120). • Any project with owner-occupied or rental multifamily developments identified in the 2023-2031 Housing Element Sites Inventory, Table B, in which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower income households. | § 25.22.2 |
| CC | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 3: Residential-only projects are allowed in the CM District. Note 4: Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583.2(i) , the following projects are subject only to ministerial review to determine compliance with the City’s adopted objective design standards, and no discretionary design review shall be required: • Any proposed residential development on sites previously identified in Fairfield’s 6th Cycle General Plan 2023-2031 Housing Element Sites Inventory (e.g., APNs 0038221010 and 0037010120). • Any project with owner-occupied or rental multifamily developments identified in the 2023-2031 Housing Element Sites Inventory, Table B, in which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower income households. | § 25.22.2 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Notes 4 and 5 describe ministerial review under Gov. Code 65583.2(i) for Housing Element sites; they do not change the P/C status.
- State law: State laws such as AB 2011, SB 6 and the density bonus law can allow homes on some commercial sites, or more units than this table shows.
- Not covered here: Zone names are not stated in the packet (only codes).; Heart of Fairfield zones HD and HDC have separate Ground / Upper floor columns. Where the two differ the cells are given as 'HD (ground floor)' / 'HD (upper floors)' (same for HDC); where equal one cell 'HD' / 'HDC'.; Any zone outside Tables 25-1, 25-9, 25-H1, 25-11, 25-13 (planned development / specific plan districts, if any) is not in the packet.; Section 25.50 definitions, Chapter 3 animal rules, 25.22.4.3 (residential in commercial zones), 25.24.3, 25.24.4.1 are cited by the tables but NOT in the packet.. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Fairfield
Who this affects
HomeownersBuyersReal estate agentsSmall developers
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the RLM zone in Fairfield?
Only with a conditional use permit. Fairfield's use table lists it that way in RLM (§ 25.20.2). The code adds a condition: “Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583.2(i) , the following projects are subject only to ministerial review to determine compliance with the City’s adopted objective design standards, and no discretionary design…”
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the RVL zone in Fairfield?
No. Fairfield's use table does not allow it in RVL (§ 25.20.2).
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the RM zone in Fairfield?
Yes, with a condition. Fairfield's use table lists it as allowed in RM (Residential, Medium Density) (§ 25.20.2). The code adds a condition: “Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583.2(i) , the following projects are subject only to ministerial review to determine compliance with the City’s adopted objective design standards, and no discretionary design…”
General information, not legal advice.
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