Daly City, CA Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Title 17 of the DCMC governs zoning citywide. Section 17.34.020 (Schedule of Parking Requirements) sets the off-street parking schedule for single-family dwellings: 2 spaces for homes 1,500 sq ft or less of habitable space, 3 spaces for 1,501-2,000 sq ft, 4 spaces for 2,001-2,500 sq ft, and 6 spaces for over 2,500 sq ft. The Planning Division's Single-Family Residential Parking Guide makes clear that 'all required garage parking spaces shall be accessed by an overhead garage door with automatic garage door opener,' and that swing-out, roll, or non-automated doors are not permitted — meaning required parking must be enclosed garage space, not an open carport. Single-car garages must be a minimum 10 ft interior width by 19 ft interior depth with an 8 ft door; side-by-side two-car garages 17 ft by 19 ft with a 14 ft door; tandem two-car garages 10 ft by 38 ft. Where the existing footprint allows reduction, garage depth may drop to 19 ft if the driveway from the back of sidewalk is at least 19 ft (or 16 ft with a 6 ft maximum garage-door recess). A carport (open-sided roofed structure) is generally treated as an accessory structure under Title 17 and must comply with the zone's setbacks (typically 5 ft from side and rear property lines in single-family zones), maximum lot coverage, and the residential height limit. A building permit is required because the structure has a permanent foundation, posts, and roof. State law (Government Code 65852.2) prohibits replacement-parking demand when a garage or carport is demolished or converted to build an ADU. Existing legal-nonconforming carports built before current zoning may remain but cannot be expanded without a Planning review.