Fairfax Zoning Intelligence
Zoning, permitted uses, ADU rules, and development potential for Fairfax, California. 14 districts analyzed.
Explore Fairfax parcels, zoning, and hazards
Search any Fairfax address, inspect parcels and zoning on the live map, and ask the AI what you can build - right here.
How is Fairfax zoned?
Permitted uses vary by district. Search a Fairfax parcel on the map above to see exactly what you can build there.
- Total zoning districts14
- Residential districts6
- Commercial districts5
Statewide law - applies to all California cities, not specific to Fairfax.
- California state ADU lawApplies statewide
- SB-9 lot split eligibilityPer parcel review
- SB-79 (transit-oriented housing)Near transit, from Jul 2026
- Density Bonus Law (state)Eligible projects
- Local impact / permittingVerify with Fairfax planning
What should developers know about Fairfax zoning?
Fairfax sits in the hills of Marin County, and its zoning tells the story of a constrained, hillside single-family town. The dominant district by a wide margin is RS-6 Single Family Residential, covering about 637 acres - more than every other residential and commercial district combined. Beyond it, the town's residential pattern leans toward larger, lower-density living: two Upland Residential districts, UR-10 (roughly 153 acres) and UR-7 (about 40 acres), plus a second single-family district (RS-7.5) and a mid-density RD-5.5-7 category (about 114 acres). Multiple-family land is scarce, confined to the RM district at roughly 22 acres.
The commercial side of Fairfax is compact and downtown-oriented. Central Commercial (CC, about 10 acres), Highway Commercial (CH), Limited Commercial (CL), and Commercial Service (CS) are all small, while Commercial Recreation (CR, about 26 acres) reflects the town's recreation-heavy setting. The second-largest district overall is the Planned Development District (PDD) at roughly 143 acres, which is the main vehicle for master-planned or flexible-standard projects, alongside a Public Domain (PD) district and a small Open Area (O-A) zone. With FAR, lot, density, coverage, pervious-surface, lot-width, setback, and height controls all applied, and a hillside character throughout, grading and slope feasibility will often matter as much as the base district on any given parcel.
This is pre-development intelligence, not legal advice - verify with the local planning department before acquisition.
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Try ArchiWise free →Fairfax, California Zoning Districts: What Do They Mean?
Zoning districts are areas regulated by specific laws that determine land use, building types, and development rules. Each district below shows its zone type and which uses it permits.
| Zone Code | Zone Type | Permitted Uses | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
CC Central Commercial District | - | - | 10 ac |
CH Highway Commercial Zone | - | - | 12.8 ac |
CL Limited Commercial Zone | - | - | 3.8 ac |
CR Commercial Recreation Zone | - | - | 26.1 ac |
What are the building controls in Fairfax?
Setback, height, FAR, lot area, and density controls enforced across Fairfax zoning districts.
- Assorted
- Far control
- Lot control
- Multi control
- Density control
- Coverage control
- Pervious control
- Lot width control
- Rear setback control
- Side setback control
- Front setback control
- Building height control
Cities near Fairfax
Fairfax zoning: frequently asked questions
What are the Upland Residential (UR) districts in Fairfax?
The UR-10 and UR-7 districts cover Fairfax's hillside and upland areas, where lots tend to be larger and development is lower in density. UR-10 alone covers about 153 acres. On these parcels, slope, access, and grading constraints typically drive what is buildable as much as the zoning text, so any hillside acquisition should be paired with a geotechnical and topographic review.
Is there much multifamily opportunity in Fairfax?
Multifamily land is limited. The dedicated Multiple Family Residential (RM) district covers only about 22 acres in a town overwhelmingly mapped as single-family RS-6. Developers seeking density should also examine the Planned Development District (PDD), which at roughly 143 acres is the more flexible vehicle, and consider how California's state housing laws apply to additional units on single-family lots.
How does the Planned Development District (PDD) work here?
At about 143 acres, the PDD is Fairfax's second-largest district and its main tool for projects that need flexible or negotiated standards rather than the fixed dimensional rules of the base zones. PDD parcels are typically governed by an adopted development plan specific to that site. Because the standards are project-specific, you should obtain the governing plan for any PDD parcel before assuming what is allowed.
What does the Commercial Recreation (CR) zone allow?
Commercial Recreation, at roughly 26 acres, is one of Fairfax's larger commercial categories and reflects the town's recreation-oriented setting near open space and trails. It is geared toward recreation-related commercial uses rather than general retail. If you are evaluating a hospitality, fitness, or recreation venture, CR is the district to confirm against, separate from the small downtown commercial zones.
Can state housing laws like SB-9 or ADUs add units in Fairfax's single-family areas?
Because Fairfax is dominated by single-family zoning - RS-6 alone is about 637 acres - statewide laws that enable accessory dwelling units, and lot splits or duplexes under SB-9, are the most direct way to add units on many parcels. Local implementation, hillside constraints, and any historic or environmental overlays can shape what is actually feasible, so verify the town's adopted ordinances and any slope limitations before relying on a state-law pathway.
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Zoning data is pre-development intelligence, not legal advice. Verify with the Fairfax planning department before acquisition or design.