Fairfield HOA Guide: Local Rules for Boards and Owners

Rancho Solano’s district (number 5) charged $706.13 per parcel in 2023-24 for street lights, Rancho Solano Parkway landscaping, landscaping behind the gates and open space. Southbrook’s (number 10) ran from $253.30 to $491.97 per parcel depending on the subdivision. Green Valley’s (number 13) is on month-to-month service because of a budget deficit. The Paradise Valley district replaced an underfunded older district in 2023.

Starting July 29, 2026, the city mailed refunds to owners in districts 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12 and 13 for the difference between each district’s 1996 rate and what was charged from 2022-23 through 2025-26. Questions go to the district office at (707) 428-7089 or llmd@fairfield.ca.gov.

If a district cuts service, check your recorded maps and ask the city before the board pays to take over any district area.

Under section 11.13, the city enforces the Vehicle Code on the private roads in Rancho Solano and Castle Rock. Rancho Solano’s private roads have no parking from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. (section 11.13.2), and the Castle Rock Homeowner’s Association must put up and maintain the signs (section 11.13.3). Stop signs in both areas need the traffic engineer’s approval. Other associations with private streets can ask the city about a designation.

On private property, vehicles, trailers and campers must be parked on an all-weather surface such as asphalt, concrete or pavers, and inoperable vehicles, RVs and boats must be fully enclosed (section 27.401). Your association’s rules can be stricter.

Fairfield’s tree chapter says trees planted on city easements belong to the city and that no one may prune or remove a tree they don’t own without the owner’s written consent (chapter 21). We found no heritage or protected tree permit for private property.

The city’s transient occupancy tax has been 12% of rent since January 1, 2025, plus a 3% tourism district assessment, and the code’s definition of a hotel includes a house rented for 30 days or less. We found no separate short-term rental permit. California Civil Code section 4741 limits how far an association can restrict rentals generally, but it does not stop an association from prohibiting rentals of 30 days or less.

In October 2025 the state housing department told Fairfield that its ADU ordinance on record dates from 2018 and may not comply with state law. State law also bars associations from unreasonably restricting ADUs.

The city has no shortage stage in effect and asks customers not to irrigate between noon and 6 p.m. The state ban on watering nonfunctional turf with drinking water at commercial, industrial and institutional properties still applies.

The Solano County Water Agency’s landscape rebate pays $1.50 per square foot of lawn converted, up to $1,500 for a single-family account and $7,500 for a commercial, industrial or institutional account. Projects need at least 300 square feet of lawn, written approval before work starts and completion within 120 days, and artificial turf and overhead spray are not allowed in the rebated area. The terms do not mention HOA or common-area accounts, so call the agency at (707) 455-1113 before planning around the rebate.

A state law passed in 2023 (AB 1572) will bar the use of drinking water on nonfunctional turf in HOA common areas starting January 1, 2029. A board with decorative lawn can use a rebate, where one is offered, to pay for part of a conversion it will have to make anyway.

On owners’ lots, Civil Code section 4735 prevents an association from banning low-water plants or artificial turf as a replacement for lawn.

Carts may go out no earlier than sunset the day before collection and must be back out of view of the street by 10 p.m. on collection day (section 9.390). Junk visible from other property, overgrown or dead vegetation and unmaintained landscaping are nuisances (section 27.401).

The city’s preliminary notice gives an owner 15 days to respond. A first violation is an infraction of up to $100, and a repeat within a year can be a misdemeanor. Weeds are enforced by the fire chief under chapter 23, with costs placed on the tax roll.

Construction, grading and demolition equipment may not run between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. without written permission from Public Works (section 25.1404). Lawn mowers, edgers and blowers are exempt from the noise rules only from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (section 25.1405). Put working hours in your contracts.