Fairfield · Land use · Single-family home
Where is a single-family home allowed in Fairfield?
In Fairfield, a single-family home is allowed in 9 base zones (RVL, RL, RLM, HD (ground floor), HO and 4 more, 5 with a condition), needs a conditional use permit in 3 (RM, RH and CM, all with a condition) and not allowed in 13 (Fairfield use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: RVL, RL, RLM, HD (ground floor), HO, HWT, HTD, HR and 1 more
- Needs a permit: RM, RH and CM
- Not allowed: RVH, CN, CO, CS, CT, CC, CR, HD (upper floors) and 5 more
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 a single-family home can go
Fairfield's code calls this use “Dwelling, single family detached”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RVL | Allowed — see note Note 6: See exceptions per Section 25.20.3.5 | § 25.20.2 |
| RL | Allowed — see note Note 6: See exceptions per Section 25.20.3.5 | § 25.20.2 |
| RLM | Allowed — see note Note 6: See exceptions per Section 25.20.3.5 | § 25.20.2 |
| HD (ground floor) | 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 |
| AG | Allowed — see note Note 7: Only one single-family dwelling is allowed per parcel. Refer to Table 25-1 for RVL Residential Uses and Improvements. | § 25.26.2 |
| RM Residential, Medium Density | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 6: See exceptions per Section 25.20.3.5 | § 25.20.2 |
| RH Residential, High Density | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 6: See exceptions per Section 25.20.3.5 | § 25.20.2 |
| CM | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 3: Residential-only projects are allowed in the CM District. | § 25.22.2 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Note 6 (S1) points to exceptions in 25.20.3.5 (not in packet). Note 11 (S3): housing not permitted on first floor on Texas Street in HD/HDC; attached to HD/HDC cells only.
- State law: State law lets most single-family lots add an ADU and a JADU (California ADU law) and a second home or a lot split under SB 9 (Gov. Code § 65852.21).
- 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
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a single-family home in the RM zone in Fairfield?
Only with a conditional use permit. Fairfield's use table lists it that way in RM (Residential, Medium Density) (§ 25.20.2). The code adds a condition: “See exceptions per Section 25.20.3.5”
Can I have a single-family home in the RVH zone in Fairfield?
No. Fairfield's use table does not allow it in RVH (§ 25.20.2).
Can I have a single-family home in the RVL zone in Fairfield?
Yes, with a condition. Fairfield's use table lists it as allowed in RVL (§ 25.20.2). The code adds a condition: “See exceptions per Section 25.20.3.5”
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a single-family home at an address in Fairfield
Ask GoCodebook what the zoning at a specific address allows and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question