Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Fairfield

Each rule below links to the section of the Fairfield Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Fairfield's code says

Fairfield code What Fairfield's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 7 feet high. Applies: Small accessory structure (60 square feet of floor area or less) on a lot with a single-family home or duplex. § 25.20.4.1 · code text Maximum height \| 7 feet \| 16 feet \| 35 feet \| Note 1 No more than 16 feet high. Applies: Large accessory structure on a lot with a single-family home or duplex; up to 35 feet if it meets all room addition rules. § 25.20.4.1 · code text Maximum height \| 7 feet \| 16 feet \| 35 feet \| Note 1 Up to 35 feet high. Applies: Large accessory structures that meet all rules for a room addition. § 25.20.4.1 · code text Large accessory structures may be built up to 35 feet in height if the structure satisfies all regulations for a room addition.
Size or lot coverage	No more than 60 square feet of floor area. Applies: Small accessory structures. § 25.20.4.1 · code text Maximum size (floor area) \| 60 sq. ft. \| No limit \| No limit May cover no more than 20% of the rear yard. Applies: Large accessory structures. § 25.20.4.1 · code text Rear yard coverage \| No limit \| 20% \| 20% \| Notes 3 and 4 No more than 30% of the rear yard combined. Applies: Room additions and accessory structures together. § 25.20.4.1 · code text Room additions and accessory structures may cover up to 30 percent of a rear yard when combined.
Side and rear setback	0 feet; no setback is required. Applies: Small accessory structures (60 square feet or less); from interior side and rear property lines. § 25.20.4.1 · code text From interior side property line - between dwelling and property line \| 0 feet \| Same as for existing home \| Same as for existing home \| At least 3 feet. Applies: Large accessory structures; from an interior side property line that is not between the home and the property line. § 25.20.4.1 · code text From interior side property line - not between dwelling and property line \| 0 feet \| 3 feet \| Same as for existing home \| At least 3 feet from the rear property line. Applies: Large accessory structures. § 25.20.4.1 · code text From rear property line \| 0 feet \| 3 feet \| 15 feet \| Note 5 No more than 3 feet of rear setback is required. Applies: Open patio covers that are open on at least 3 sides. § 25.20.4.1 · code text The required rear setback for open patio covers (open on at least three sides) shall not exceed 3 feet.

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Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Fairfield?

At single-family homes and duplexes, Fairfield limits small accessory structures (60 square feet or less) to 7 feet and large ones to 16 feet.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Fairfield

Key points

What Fairfield's code says

Who this affects

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