Government: Fair Oaks is unincorporated with Sacramento County providing road, sheriff, and other services. Local government is by self-governing park, school, cemetery, sanitation, and water districts.

Transportation: Near U.S. Interstate 80 and Highway 50, Fair Oaks is served by Regional Transit Lines (bus) from Sacramento. Trucking lines of both Sacramento and San Francisco also serve Fair Oaks.

Services: Fair Oaks is served by power from Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), and natural gas from Pacific Gas and Electric (PG & E). Fair Oaks Water District is a "Special District," independently operated by a Board of Directors, consisting of five persons who have been elected by the people. The district was formed in 1917, and buys water from San Juan Suburban Water District, which is the Master District, and was formed in 1954. The water is obtained from Folsom Reservoir, and is considered to be "soft"; also, there are seven wells.

Recreation & Parks: Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District offers a wide variety of programs and recreation facilities for everyone from tiny tots to senior citizens. Nine different parks of over one hundred twenty-five acres are maintained by the district throughout the town featuring lighted tennis courts, ball diamonds and district-sponsored leagues. The Plaza and Village Park complex is the location of the community clubhouse, outdoor amphitheater and crafts building.

Other recreation attractions in the Fair Oaks area include the 114-acre Sailor Bar Park and the American River Parkway and bicycle path with are maintained by Sacramento County. Boating on Lake Natoma and fishing on the American River are other popular pastimes with area residents.

Library: Fair Oaks Library began in the basement of the Methodist Church in 1908. In 1912, the Fair Oaks Library Association was formed and raised $800 to erect an 800 square foot building, lit by kerosene lamps, to house the library. This building was dedicated to the library as a gift in 1955. After two more moves, in 1976, the Fair Oaks/Orangevale Community Library opened on Fair Oaks. Blvd.

Post Office: The Fair Oaks Post Office is located on Winding Way near the busy corner of Sunrise Blvd. and Winding Way. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 5:00 pm and 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturdays.