Daly City, CA Accessory Structures: Garage Conversions (2026)
Garage conversion rules in Daly City, CA, sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions, govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
Key Facts
- Building permit
- Required for any garage conversion
- Replacement parking for ADU conversions
- Not required (Gov. Code 66314(d)(11))
- Curb cut review
- Engineering Division consultation required
- Non-ADU downstairs rooms
- Cannot displace required parking
Summary
Daly City requires a building permit for any garage conversion or construction of rooms in a garage, including secondary units; for garage-to-ADU conversions, state law bars the city from requiring replacement off-street parking.
Garage Conversions: Proposal is compliant with all other zoning regulations such as trash & recycling storage areas and front yard paving. Consultation with the Engineering Division is also required to determine if the driveway curb cut must be removed or reduced. [City of Daly City ADU Checklist] ... When a garage, carport, covered parking structure, or uncovered parking space is demolished in conjunction with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit or converted to an accessory dwelling unit, the local agency shall not require that those offstreet parking spaces be replaced. [Cal. Gov. Code sec. 66314(d)(11)]
Full Breakdown
The Building Division requires a permit for a garage or construction of rooms therein, including secondary units. For garage-to-ADU conversions, the city's ADU checklist requires compliance with trash and recycling storage and front yard paving rules, plus Engineering Division consultation on whether the driveway curb cut must be removed or reduced. Daly City Municipal Code Section 17.40.090 bars downstairs room construction that displaces required parking and requires internal integration between habitable rooms, and modified garage doors must be replaced during later permitted work over fifty thousand dollars. California Government Code Section 66314(d)(11) (formerly 65852.2) prohibits the city from requiring replacement off-street parking when a garage is converted to or demolished for an ADU.
Violations & Fines
Converting a garage without permits is a building code violation; Code Enforcement investigates complaints, mails violation letters with abatement deadlines, and refers unresolved cases to the Administrative Hearing Board.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Daly City require new parking if I convert my garage to an ADU?
What city rules apply to a garage ADU conversion?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Daly City
California rules heatmap·Compare Daly City to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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Garage Conversions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Mateo County handle garage conversions.