Projects Requiring A Permit

Projects under $300 usually do not require a permit, providing the project does not involve the removal of a wall, supporting beam or change of entry/exit.

Projects Requiring A Building Permit

Building permits are required for the projects listed below.

• New residential construction
• Building additions
• Building remodeling (Projects with a valuation of less than $300 do not require a permit unless the remodeling involves the cutting away of any portion of a wall or partition, the removal of cutting away of any structural beam or bearing support, or the removal or change of any means of egress or exit requirements.)
• Above ground and inground swimming pools of 18 inches or more in depth
• New roof and re-roofs
• Decks/porches
• Window or door replacements
• Re-siding
• Radio and TV antennas
• Satellite dishes
• Attached or detached garages
• Sheds or storage buildings of more than 150 square feet (Those smaller than 150 square feet do not require a building permit unless they are to be erected on a concrete slab or foundation. They do still require a no-cost zoning certificate.)
• Retaining walls
• Fences more than four feet high

Projects Requiring An Electrical Permit

Electrical permits are required for the projects outlined below.

Please note, electrical work must be installed by an electrical contractor licensed in Fairfield, with the following exception: The owner-occupant of a single family dwelling house may, with the assistance of any member of his family or household, personally perform in his house any work governed by the codes without a license, providing that the owner obtains a permit and calls for the appropriate inspections.

• New electrical circuits
• New circuit breaker panels
• Replacement of main service disconnects or circuit breakers
• New building service
• Replacement or repair of building service
• Reconnecting of heating and air conditioning appliances when replaced
• Electric and bonding for new inground and above ground swimming pools
• New lamp posts, etc.

Projects Requiring an HVAC Permit

Detailed below are projects requiring an HVAC permit.

Please note: With the exception of gas lines, heating and air conditioning work must be installed by a heating and air conditioning contractor licensed in Fairfield with the following exception. The owner-occupant of a single family dwelling house may, with the assistance of any member of his family or household, personally perform in his house any work governed by the codes without a license, providing that the owner obtains a permit and calls for the appropriate inspections.

• New electric or gas heating and air conditioning equipment
• Replacement of heating and air conditioning equipment
• Alteration or addition of duct work
• New hot water heating systems
• Replacement of hot water heating systems
• New gas line installations
• Replacement of existing gas lines
• Adding gas lines to an existing system

Projects NOT Requiring A Permit

The projects listed below do not require a permit from the City of Fairfield.

• Painting
• New carpeting
• Landscaping
• Fences under 48 inches high do not require a building permit, but do require a no-cost zoning certificate.
• Sheds less than 150 square feet without a poured foundation do not require a building permit, but do require a no-cost zoning certificate.
• Driveways (Please note: The Public Works Department does require a curb cut/driveway apron permit).
• Storm or screen doors/windows