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Deck Construction · Solano County, California
In California, a Deck Construction requires a building permit.
Unusually, the County requires a building permit for all decks, decks are absent from the general permit-exempt list and the Patios & Decks page states that all decks require a permit; a patio or deck cover of any size also needs one. A distinctive material rule applies: a deck built within 18 inches of the ground must use redwood or pressure-treated lumber to prevent dry rot. The site plan must locate wells, septic systems, LP tanks and streams. Plans are reviewed under the Solano County Resource Management, Building & Safety code (IRC 2022 CRC); apply through City of Fairfield Building Permits and Business Licenses before work begins.
Source: Solano County Resource Management, Building & Safety, IRC 2022 CRC · County-specific · Verified 2026 by StateDataIndex
Building a deck typically requires a permit if it is attached to the house, over 30 inches off the ground, or exceeds a certain square footage (often 200 sq ft).
Under California seismic provisions, structural plans are reviewed for retrofitting and shear-wall integrity to comply with the California Title 24.
California enforces strict statewide building codes (Title 24) focusing heavily on energy efficiency, solar mandates, and stringent seismic safety standards across all jurisdictions. Fortunately, California maintains relatively builder-friendly regulations, keeping base permit fees competitive.
Permit fees vary by jurisdiction and by your project's valuation, so there is no single fixed figure for Solano County. We only publish fees confirmed by real homeowners — none have been reported here yet.
Confirm the current fee directly with City of Fairfield Building Permits and Business Licenses ((707) 428-7451). If you have paid for a permit here, you can add it here to help others.
Office: City of Fairfield Building Permits and Business Licenses
Address: 1000 Webster Street, City Hall - 2nd Floor, Fairfield, CA 94533, USA
Phone: (707) 428-7451
Source: official Solano County government records. Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.
In Solano County, you can begin your application online through the county's permit portal, or submit blueprints and a property survey in person. Including your contractor's Contractors State License Board (CSLB) license number helps avoid rejections.
When applying for a Deck Construction permit, you or your contractor will generally need to submit the following documentation for the city's review:
Key code points for a Deck Construction in Solano County: Decks higher than 30 inches above grade legally require guardrails (typically 36 inches high), and stairs with 4 or more risers require a handrail.
Typical processing time: a few days to several weeks, depending on current workload and the season. Contact City of Fairfield Building Permits and Business Licenses for a current estimate.
Building without authorization is considered a code violation. The local government can issue a Stop Work Order, forcing you to halt construction immediately. You may be subject to retroactive permit fees (often double the original cost), daily fines, or even a mandate to tear down the unpermitted work at your own expense.
Yes. California generally allows property owners to act as their own general contractor under an Owner-Builder exemption. If you take this route, you assume full legal and financial liability and must ensure all work complies with the California Title 24.
Permit fees vary by jurisdiction and by your project's valuation, so Solano County does not publish a single fixed figure. Confirm the exact fee with the local building department before applying.
Processing time in Solano County varies by season and current application volume at the building department; contact City of Fairfield Building Permits and Business Licenses for a current estimate.
You can apply through the City of Fairfield Building Permits and Business Licenses or online via the county permit portal. For questions, call (707) 428-7451.
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