Solano County Resource Management’s Building & Safety Services reviews plans, issues building permits and inspects construction. It is at 675 Texas St., Suite 5500, Fairfield, CA 94533, 707-784-6765, building@solanocounty.gov, open Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (closed 12-1pm). Applications go through the County’s Accela portal with drawings submitted electronically, and each separate building or structure needs its own permit application.
This guide covers Solano County Building & Safety Services and Vallejo, the county’s largest city. Fairfield’s website could not be checked, so contact the City of Fairfield directly for work there. No County building fee schedule was found on the County’s website, so ask Building & Safety for fee amounts.
What requires a building permit in Solano County?
The County’s permit-exempt list allows one-story detached sheds and playhouses up to 120 square feet only if they have no utilities (electrical, mechanical, plumbing), and fences not over 6 feet high. Emergency repairs need a permit application by the following business day.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →California builds on one statewide code, Title 24, whose 2025 edition took effect on 1 January 2026; the editions in effect when the application is submitted apply, and cities and counties may adopt local amendments only with findings filed with the state (new residential amendments are largely frozen until June 2031). Title 24 and local amendments
Solano County design criteria
Building & Safety’s design criteria: basic wind speed 93 MPH, Exposure C; Seismic Design Category D; ground snow load 0 pounds per square foot; minimum foundation depth 12 inches.
In flood zones, the lowest floor of new construction and substantial improvements must be elevated above base flood depth (Solano County Code Chapter 12.2), documented by pre-construction and post-construction elevation certificates from a registered land surveyor or engineer.
Who handles permitting in Solano County?
Census estimates list seven incorporated cities in Solano County, which run their own permitting: Vallejo, Fairfield, Vacaville, Suisun City, Benicia, Dixon and Rio Vista.
| Office | Handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Building & Safety Services | Plan review, building permits and inspections; 675 Texas St., Suite 5500, Fairfield | 707-784-6765; building@solanocounty.gov |
| Environmental Health, Technical Services | Septic (onsite sewage disposal), site evaluation and well construction and destruction permits; 675 Texas Street, Suite 5500 | 707-784-1636; ehtechnical@solanocounty.gov |
| Public Works Encroachment Division | Encroachment and transportation permits | 707-784-6077; pwpermits@solanocounty.gov |
| Public Works Grading Division | Grading permits | 707-784-6009; grading@solanocounty.gov |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Solano County permit costs and fees
Plan check fees are due at submittal and final permit fees at issuance. New development also pays the County Public Facilities Fee, an impact fee authorized by Chapter 11, Article X of the Solano County Code and Resolution 2019-156, which funds public protection, health and social services, library, general government and transportation facilities.
How to get a building permit in Solano County
Each separate building or structure needs its own permit application.
Plan for elevation certificates before and after construction.
Submit through the County’s Accela portal with electronic drawings, and pay plan check fees at submittal.
Environmental Health Technical Services issues septic and well permits; Public Works issues encroachment and grading permits through the County’s online permitting system.
Final permit fees, and the Public Facilities Fee on new development.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →A building permit carries a validity period and can expire if work does not start or stalls between inspections; confirm the expiry with County Building & Safety Services on phased or delayed work. Permit validity in California
Inspections in Solano County
Inspections are requested on the 24-hour line, (707) 784-4750. Requests before 3:00pm are scheduled for the following business day; later calls are scheduled 2 business days later. No specific time of day can be booked.
Building permits in Vallejo
Vallejo building permits go through the Central Permit Center, 555 Santa Clara Street, Second Floor, Vallejo, (707) 648-4522. Building & Planning counter hours are Monday-Thursday and every other Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm, closed 12pm-1pm.
Official Solano County permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
Rather not deal with the Solano County building department?
Get a free quote →- Solano County Building & Safety Services
- General permitting requirements
- When a building permit is required
- Flood zone determination
- Inspections
- Public Facilities Fees
- Environmental Health Technical Services
- Public Works permit portal
- Vallejo permits
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Frequently asked questions
Does a shed need a permit in Solano County?
A one-story detached shed or playhouse up to 120 square feet is exempt only if it has no electrical, mechanical or plumbing utilities.
Can I book a set inspection time?
No. Requests on the 24-hour line before 3:00pm get the following business day, but no specific time of day can be booked.
What if I had to make an emergency repair?
Apply for the permit by the following business day.
Simplify Solano County permitting with Alliance Permitting
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →- Check whether the parcel is in a city or on county land, and which county offices beyond Building must sign off
- Line up septic, well, encroachment and fire approvals so they do not hold up the building permit
- File in the county portal, track review rounds and book inspections against the county’s cut-off times
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in California. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.
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More California permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Solano County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.