Bolthole Index

Solano County, California

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Dixon, California

Dixon, California requires building permits for residential construction through the city Building Division, and Dixon sets its own zoning inside city limits.123 Solano County Environmental Health handles onsite sewage matters inside Dixon; city building approval does not replace county sewage-disposal review.45

At a glance

Building permits
City applications through Dixon Civic Access2
Zoning
City zoning districts apply inside Dixon3
Septic authority
Solano County Environmental Health4
Minimum lot size
RL: 7,000 sq ft, with qualifying urban-lot-split exceptions; RM: 8,000 sq ft67
RV living
State limits apply; a Dixon private-lot exception is unconfirmed8
Tiny homes
Approved structure classification and approved location required9
Owner-builder
Conditional contractor-license exemption, not a building-permit exemption10

Who to call

Building permits

City of Dixon Building Division

City building applications and inspections through Civic Access

(707) 678-7000 ext. 1789

[email protected]

600 E A St., Dixon CA 95620

Online permits →

Zoning

City of Dixon Planning Division

City development applications and planning inspections

(707) 678-7000 ext.1786

[email protected]

600 E A St., Dixon CA 95620

Floodplain permits

City of Dixon Planning Division

Information on floodplain boundaries and zoning district regulations

Septic permits

Solano County Environmental Health Division - Technical Services

Onsite sewage disposal program questions

707-784-1636

[email protected]

675 Texas Street, Suite 5500, Fairfield, CA 94533

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Dixon means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Dixon, CA?

Residential construction in Dixon requires a building permit before work under California’s building-permit framework, with applications handled through the city’s Civic Access system.12 Dixon’s own handout expressly requires a building permit for alterations to building, plumbing, mechanical or electrical systems.11 Dixon adopts the 2025 California Residential Code subject to local amendments, so ask the Building Division which amendments and project-specific exemptions apply to your plans.12 California’s conditional owner-builder exemption concerns contractor licensing; the exemption does not remove building-permit or code obligations.10

Who issues Dixon building permits, and how do you apply?

Contact the Dixon Building Division for city building applications and the Dixon Planning Division for development applications and planning inspections.1314 Dixon requires applications through Civic Access unless special arrangements are made in advance.13 An account is required, and Dixon starts review only after receiving a complete application and payment.2 Dixon’s fees depend on the date of a complete submittal, are due before approval, and may include state charges, city surcharges and impact fees.15 After the city issues a building permit, applicants can request inspections through Civic Access.2

Does Dixon have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

Dixon has its own zoning districts, and the official zoning map is maintained by the City Clerk.316 In Dixon’s Residential Low Density district, the minimum lot size is 7,000 square feet, with smaller lots possible through qualifying SB9 urban lot splits; the Residential Medium Density minimum is 8,000 square feet.67 RL front setbacks are 20 feet with garage exceptions, and side setbacks are 12 feet on one side and 5 feet on the other, subject to narrow-lot and corner-lot rules.17 RM front setbacks are 20 feet and side setbacks are 10 feet, subject to the stated exceptions.18 Maximum lot coverage is 45% in RL and 60% in RM; a lot meeting the minimum area still needs a design that meets the applicable district standards.1920

How do septic permits work inside Dixon?

Solano County Environmental Health’s jurisdiction includes Dixon for onsite sewage and environmental-health functions.4 For a sewage-disposal application, submit the complete application and fee to Environmental Health for review and approval before beginning work.5 Contact the county’s Technical Services office to establish which sewage-disposal review your Dixon project needs.5 Solano County’s soil data show only 3.3% of soils rated not limited for conventional septic drain fields; that countywide screening does not establish whether a Dixon parcel can support septic, so plan for a site evaluation rather than treating the percentage as a prohibition.21

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on land in Dixon?

California generally limits RV occupancy to mobilehome parks or special occupancy parks unless a local ordinance allows otherwise, and RVs are not intended as permanent dwellings.8 We could not confirm a Dixon exception allowing residential RV occupancy or temporary camping on a private lot; ask the Dixon Planning Division about the proposed address and duration before relying on an RV while building.14 A tiny home in Dixon must have an approved structural classification and an approved location under California’s tiny-home framework.9 We could not confirm Dixon’s specific tiny-home occupancy rule or minimum dwelling size; ask city Planning about the location and the Building Division about the structure.1413

Building a home in Dixon: what are the steps in order?

  1. Identify the Dixon parcel’s zoning district and ask city Planning to check the proposed use and applicable dimensional standards.316
  2. Resolve wastewater arrangements with Solano County Environmental Health if the Dixon project involves onsite sewage; submit the sewage-disposal application and fee before work.45
  3. Create a Dixon Civic Access account and submit the complete city building application with payment to begin review.2
  4. Obtain the required building permit before construction, then request city inspections through Civic Access after issuance.12
  5. Ask Dixon Planning about floodplain boundaries and Engineering about vegetation or structures near the driveway’s street or sidewalk intersection, which can require city review.2223

What stays with Solano County, and what should Dixon buyers check?

Solano County Environmental Health remains the onsite-sewage authority inside Dixon, while Dixon administers city building applications and its zoning districts.423 California requires local environmental-health or water-district approval before well construction, modification or destruction; ask Solano County Environmental Health which well authority applies to the Dixon address.244 We could not confirm Dixon’s mandatory public-water or sewer connection conditions, so resolve service availability and connection obligations with city staff before assuming a well or septic system is an option.14 For property outside Dixon city limits, use the Solano County guide for the county’s unincorporated-area building rules.25

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm a Dixon agricultural building-permit exemption; ask the city Building Division before treating a farm structure as exempt.13
  • Dixon driveway-intersection visibility review applies to vegetation and structures within 10 feet of the street or sidewalk intersection.23
  • County building and zoning rules for unincorporated Solano County do not establish Dixon city requirements.25263

Sources

  1. Do I need a building permit for my project? (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  2. Permits (Dixon), quoted and re-checked
  3. Chapter 18.03: Zoning Districts and Zoning Map (Dixon), quoted and re-checked
  4. Environmental Health (Dixon), quoted and re-checked
  5. Solano County Environmental Health Division - Technical Services (solanocounty.gov)
  6. Chapter 18.04: Residential Districts (Dixon), quoted and re-checked
  7. Chapter 18.04: Residential Districts (Dixon), quoted and re-checked
  8. hcd.ca.gov (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Information Bulletin 2016-01: Tiny Homes (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. California Business and Professions Code section 7044 (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. cityofdixonca.gov (Dixon), quoted and re-checked
  12. Chapter 16.16: Residential Code (Dixon), quoted and re-checked
  13. City of Dixon Building Division (cityofdixonca.gov)
  14. City of Dixon Planning Division (cityofdixonca.gov)
  15. Permits (Dixon), quoted and re-checked
  16. Chapter 18.03: Zoning Districts and Zoning Map (Dixon), quoted and re-checked
  17. Chapter 18.04: Residential Districts (Dixon), quoted and re-checked
  18. Chapter 18.04: Residential Districts (Dixon), quoted and re-checked
  19. Chapter 18.04: Residential Districts (Dixon), quoted and re-checked
  20. Chapter 18.04: Residential Districts (Dixon), quoted and re-checked
  21. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  22. City of Dixon Planning Division (cityofdixonca.gov)
  23. ecode360.com (Dixon), quoted and re-checked
  24. Well Standards (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. When is a Building Permit Required? (2026 county census)
  26. Planning Services (2026 county census)

Written October 11, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Dixon

Dixon’s own rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Building, plumbing, mechanical, or electrical alterations in Dixon city limits.

    • The cited city handout addresses alterations and directs applicants to the City Building Division.
    • An approved Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District release is required before applying for a city building permit when covered existing materials are removed, demolished, or altered.
    “A Building Permit is required for alterations to the building, plumbing, mechanical, or electrical systems.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Residential construction inside Dixon city limits.

    • The adopted 2025 California Residential Code and listed appendices are subject to local deletions, modifications, or amendments under DMC § 16.05.030.
    • The ordinance states that one copy is filed in the Dixon Building Department.

    code edition: 2025 California Residential Code (Subject to local amendments.)

    “Those certain codes and standards known as the 2025 California Residential Code, Title 24, California Code of Regulations, Part 2.5 [...] are hereby adopted by reference save and except such portions as are deleted, modified or amended by DMC § 16.05.030.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Tenant-improvement projects covered by the City's Certificate of Use and Occupancy handout.

    • A final inspection must be successful.
    • The certificate is issued if requested.
    • The already-paid permit fee covers the certificate cost.
    “If the final inspection is successful a formal Certificate of Occupancy will be issued (if requested) The permit fee that has already been paid will cover the cost of the certificate.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Dixon city limits.

    • The City zoning code establishes and regulates zoning districts.
    “The City shall be classified into zoning districts, the designation and regulation of which are set forth in this code and as follows:”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Dixon city limits.

    • The official zoning map is maintained by the City Clerk and incorporated into the code by reference.
    • Base districts include RL, RM, DMX, CMX, CAMX, CN, CR, CS, IL, IG, PF, and PR; overlay districts include GW, PD, and SP.
    “The City is divided into base zoning districts which are established as shown in Table 18.03.010: Base and Overlay Districts.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and tentative-map processing inside Dixon city limits.

    • Title 17 contains chapters for tentative maps, final maps, parcel maps, and subdivision design standards.
    • Specific map type, filing, review, and approval requirements depend on the proposed subdivision.
    “Chapter 17.06 TENTATIVE MAPS – FOR FINAL MAPS [...] § 17.06.020 Tentative map required.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Driveway intersections and adjacent visibility areas inside Dixon city limits.

    • Vegetation and structures within ten feet of a driveway intersection with a street or sidewalk are subject to City Engineer/Director of Utilities review and approval.
    • Sight distance must comply with the City's current Engineering and Design Standards.

    review area: 10 ft (Measured from a driveway intersection with a street or sidewalk.)

    “Vegetation and structures located within ten (10) feet of a driveway intersection with a street or sidewalk shall be subject to review and approval by the City Engineer/Director of Utilities. Sight distance at intersections shall be in accordance with the City's current Engineering and Design Standards.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    City permit applications inside Dixon city limits.

    • Fees are due before approval.
    • Fees are based on the application date of a complete submittal.
    • Fees are updated annually in spring and effective in summer as part of the annual CPI index.
    • For applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026, the City reported a 3.0% increase approved April 21, 2026 and effective July 1, 2026.
    • Additional state, city surcharge, and impact fees may apply.

    fee schedule effective date: 2026-07-01 (For applications submitted on or after that date.) · 2025 CPI update increase: 3 percent

    “For applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026 - An annual 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) update was approved on April 21, 2026 by the City Council (Resolution No 26-090), approving updates to the Master Fee Scheduled. The approved increase was a 3.0% to all fees.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    City building and related permit applications inside Dixon city limits.

    • An account is required to submit an application through the Civic Access portal.
    • The review process begins only after a complete application and payment are submitted.
    • Applicants can submit development plans, building and fire permits, and business licenses through Civic Access.
    • Inspections may be requested through Civic Access after the City issues a permit.
    “Customers can submit various applications through Civic Access, such as development plans, building and fire permits, and business licenses. To submit an application in Civic Access, customers will be prompted to log in.”

Rules another office applies inside Dixon

Dixon does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Residential Low Density (RL) district inside Dixon city limits.

    • Smaller RL lots may be allowed under the cited SB9 urban-lot-split provisions.

    minimum lot size: 7000 sq ft (Smaller lots are allowed pursuant to DMC § 18.04.040(C), SB9 Urban Lot Splits.)

    “Minimum Lot Size (sq ft) | 7,000 | 8,000 | In the RL district, smaller lots are allowed pursuant to DMC § 18.04.040(C) , SB9 Urban Lot Splits, RL District”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Residential Low Density (RL) district inside Dixon city limits.

    • Front setback is 20 feet, with garage exceptions.
    • Side setbacks are 12 feet on one side and 5 feet on the other, subject to narrow-lot and corner-lot rules.
    • Rear setback varies by lot depth: 15 feet for lots under 75 feet deep, 20% of lot depth for lots 75 to 125 feet deep, and 25 feet for lots 125 feet or deeper.

    front setback: 20 ft (Garage exceptions apply.) · side setback: 12 on one side; 5 on the other ft (Narrow and corner lot rules apply.) · rear setback: 15 / 20% / 25 ft (Depends on lot depth.)

    “Side | 12 on one side; 5 on the other side, except as provided below for narrow lots and corner lots. For new units, the 12-foot setback shall be located on the side nearest the driveway”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Residential Medium Density (RM) district inside Dixon city limits.
      “Side | 12 on one side; 5 on the other side, except as provided below for narrow lots and corner lots. For new units, the 12-foot setback shall be located on the side nearest the driveway | 10, except as provided below for narrow lots and corner lots”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Residential Low Density (RL) district inside Dixon city limits.

    • The cited table refers to DMC § 18.02.030(G) for determining lot coverage.

    maximum lot coverage: 45 percent

    “Maximum Lot Coverage (% of lot) | 45 | 60 | See DMC § 18.02.030(G) , Determining Lot Coverage”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Residential Medium Density (RM) district inside Dixon city limits.
      “Maximum Lot Coverage (% of lot) | 45 | 60 | See DMC § 18.02.030(G) , Determining Lot Coverage”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Residential Low Density (RL) district inside Dixon city limits.

    • Height measurement and exceptions are governed by DMC §§ 18.02.030(C) and 18.11.070.

    maximum height: 30 ft (See height-measurement and exception provisions.)

    “Maximum Height (ft) | 30 | 38 | See DMC § 18.02.030(C) , Measuring Height, and DMC § 18.11.070 , Height limitation exceptions”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Residential Medium Density (RM) district inside Dixon city limits.
      “Maximum Height (ft) | 30 | 38 | See DMC § 18.02.030(C) , Measuring Height, and DMC § 18.11.070 , Height limitation exceptions”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Onsite sewage and environmental-health functions inside Dixon city limits.

    • Solano County Environmental Health states that its jurisdiction includes the City of Dixon.
    • The county Environmental Health Division issues permits, inspects facilities, investigates complaints, and performs enforcement.
    “EH has jurisdiction in the cities of Benicia, Dixon, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville, Vallejo, and surrounding unincorporated areas to issue permits, inspect facilities, investigate complaints, perform enforcement as necessary, and assists both the business community and the public.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Dixon or Solano County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption inside Dixon city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Dixon residential districts.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential occupancy of recreational vehicles on land inside Dixon city limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Dixon city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Dixon city limits.
9 more unanswered
  • Manufactured homes
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Dixon publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Solano County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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