Division of land into two or more lots is regulated by Chapter 25 of the City’s Municipal Code, Divisions 3 - 6 and the State Subdivision Map Act. Development Review staff plan check documents including, but not limited to: drainage hydrology reports, geotechnical reports, water and sewer master plans, engineering construction drawings, final subdivision maps, closure calculations, and title reports.

A lot line adjustment is the relocation of an existing property line, between two or more parcels, without creating any additional parcels. A lot merger is the joining of two or more contiguous parcels under the same ownership, into one resulting parcel. Both are regulated by the City’s Municipal Code and the State Subdivision Map Act.

Prior to recording either, applicants will need an approval letter from the Community Development Department and the application must be reviewed and accepted by the Public Works Department. Please contact planning@fairfield.ca.gov for more information on application. Upon application approval please submit plans and legal descriptions to PWdreview@fairfield.ca.gov for review. *Please include Project Number in the subject line, if applicable. Example: Lot Line Adjustment – PAR2025-001*

For more information on Lot Line Adjustments and Mergers, please visit the webpage.

A permit issued by the Building Department is required for all proposed developments or improvements within a private parcel, including but not limited to: site utilities, site grading, private parking lot improvements, and retaining walls over 3 feet in height. Please e-mail building@fairfield.ca.gov for more information.

Private stormwater quality facilities, such as bio-retention basins, are reviewed and inspected by the Public Works Department. Applicants must e-mail alei@fairfield.ca.gov to schedule an inspection prior to issuance of any building permit finals or certificates of occupancy. Please see the Stormwater Quality tab for additional information.

An encroachment permit is required for any work performed in the public right-of-way. The public right-of-way typically extends from back-of-sidewalk to back-of-sidewalk. An encroachment permit is required for, but not limited to, the following: utility trenches, new water meters, new sewer cleanouts, water or sewer service laterals, driveway modifications, tree trimming. Contact permit@fairfield.ca.gov for more information.

Please note, a permit issued by the Building Department does not include improvements in the public right-of-way. A separate encroachment permit must be issued to the applicant by the Public Works Department.

Stormwater treatment is required on new development and redevelopment projects that create and/or replace 5,000 square feet or more of impervious surface. Stormwater treatment is also required new single-family home projects that create 10,000 square feet or more of impervious surface. See the Stormwater Quality web page for more information.

The Public Works – Engineering division acts as the floodplain administrator for all developments located in FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas. Please see the Floodplain web page for more information. If you would like to know whether your home is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area, please call (707) 428-7485.