Applications and Forms

Print Feedback

Font Size: + -

Application Processing

The Planning Division is responsible for assisting the community with development review procedures and the processing of development applications. Depending on the application type or intensity, project approval may occur over-the-counter or by the Community Development Director, the Planning Commission, or the City Council.

Only complete applications will be accepted. All Planning applications must be submitted in person at the Community Development Department. Applications submitted by mail or email will not be accepted.

If you are unfamiliar with the planning application process, we recommend that you speak with Planning Division staff before attempting to prepare an application submittal. A planner can explain supplemental materials that must be submitted with an application and confirm the required fees. Contact the Planning Division during public counter hours at 707-428-7461.

Please be aware that many projects that require a planning permit also require a building permit. For information about obtaining a building permit, please contact the Building Division at 707-428-7451.

Application Submittal Requirements

Be sure to download a copy of the application submittal requirements checklist and planning fee schedule in addition to any required applications or forms listed below. The checklist contains detailed information about what to include on plans or declare within the application forms, depending on the type of project you are proposing. If you are missing items or required information, we will not be able to accept your application. Digital copies (.PDF) of plans, applications and documents are required. Fees are due at time of application submittal.

Application Submittal Requirements Checklist
Fee Schedule 2024 (In effect from February 1, 2024 - January 31, 2025)

Planning Schedule & Submittal Deadlines

All new project submittals will be reviewed for completeness prior to scheduling for a particular hearing or meeting. At the end of this period, applicants will receive written notice of the status of their application. Completed applications will be scheduled for hearings/meetings while those that are deemed incomplete will require additional information before a hearing/meeting date can be determined.

Submittal Deadlines and Meeting Schedule

Planning Applications

APPLICATION	DESCRIPTION
Annexation or Pre-Annexation Agreement	Required for properties outside of the City Limits that would like to be incorporated to the City of Fairfield.
Appeal	The Appeal application allows for appeals to the to the Director's or Planning Commission's actions.
Cannabis Delivery Permit	Required for non-storefront retailers to offer cannabis delivery services within the City of Fairfield.
Custom Home	Required for approval of single-family housing plans that are not an approved production home for the residential subdivision in which it is located and are not constructed more than once in said subdivision or are located in a subdivision that consists of single lots sold individually to purchasers who contract individually for house plans.
Development Agreement or Development Agreement Amendment	Used to provide developmental certainty or vested development rights.
Development Review	Required for new projects, which are subject to the approval authority of the Planning Commission, to evaluate aesthetics, building design, site layout and land use compatibility.
General Plan Amendment	Required application for proposed textual or graphic amendments to the Fairfield General Plan.
Lot Line Adjustment / Lot Merger	Required for the realignment of boundary lines between two to four existing legal parcels, where the land taken from one parcel is added to an adjacent parcel or for the joining of two (2) or more contiguous parcels of land under one ownership into one parcel.
Master Planned Unit Development Permit or Planned Unit Development Permit	Used for applying flexible development standards for large projects to encourage innovation and creativity in project designs.
Minor Development Review	Required for new projects, which are subject to the approval authority of the Community Development Director, to evaluate aesthetics, building design, site layout and land use compatibility.
Minor Discretionary Review	Required for approval of minor improvements where the review is routine in nature, but action may require an interpretation to determine compliance with established design guidelines.
Sign Permit	Required for permanent signs or improvements that typically require an interpretation to determine compliance with regulations of the Sign Ordinance.
Specific Plan Amendment	Required for proposed textual or land uses changes to Specific Plans.
Temporary Sales Event Permit	Required for special temporary sales events including outdoor pumpkin sales and Christmas tree lots.
Temporary Sign Permit	Required for signs of a temporary nature, including banners, A-frames, and inflatables.
Tentative Parcel Map	Required for proposed subdivisions that would create four or fewer parcels of land.
Tentative Subdivision Map	Required for proposed subdivisions that would create five or more parcels of land.
Use Permit	Required for land uses that are Conditionally Permitted within a specific Zoning District. Uses requiring a Use Permit may not be appropriate without specific conditions being applied that eliminate or minimize any negative impacts caused by the use.
Variance	Used for development applications when, because of special circumstances applicable to the property, including size, shape, topography, location or surroundings, the strict application of development standards denies the property owner privileges enjoyed by other property owners in the vicinity and under identical zoning districts.
Zoning Amendment	Required for proposed zoning changes to the Zoning Map or proposed textual changes to the Zoning Ordinance.

Planning Forms

The forms below must be submitted with in conjunction with many of the above applications. Please refer to the Application Submittal Requirements document for more information.

FORM	DESCRIPTION
Environmental Assessment	Required for all applications subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Public Hearing Affidavit	Required for all applications which require public hearings.
Stormwater Questionnaire	Required for all applications proposing to create, add, or replace 10,000 square feet or more of impervious surface on the project site.
Use Permit Justification Form	Required for all Use Permit applications.
Variance Justification Form	Required for all Variance applications.