Daly City, CA Local Ordinances Guide

Daly City is a mid-sized city in San Mateo County, California, with about 105000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 50 ordinances across 11 categories that affect daily life in Daly City.

Animal Ordinances

Wildlife Feeding: Daly City Municipal Code Section 6.08.090 makes it unlawful to feed any bird you do not own, or to place feed intended to attract birds, on any city property or right-of-way (except city-authorized feeding stations) and on any other person's private property without express permission..

Also covered: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (permissive), Pet Limits (limited), Chickens & Livestock (restrictive). See the full animal ordinances guide for Daly City for details.

Parking Rules

RV & Boat Parking: Daly City Municipal Code Section 10.32.150, as amended by Ordinance 1467 (2023), bans parking any oversized vehicle - expressly including boats, mobile homes, house trailers and recreational vehicles - on any city street between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Also covered: Driveway Rules (moderate), Overnight Parking (limited), Preferential Parking Districts (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Daly City for details.

Fence Regulations

Height Limits: Daly City caps fences at 6 feet on residential parcels and 3 feet in any required front yard or within 35 feet of the street corner on a corner lot. Non-residential and mixed-use parcels may have 8-foot fences, or up to 10 feet with administrative design review..

Also covered: Retaining Walls (moderate), Material Restrictions (moderate), Fence Permit Requirements (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Daly City for details.

Home Business

Cottage Food Operations: Daly City's zoning excludes general 'food preparation' as a home occupation, but state law overrides: residents can run a county-permitted Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) or a state cottage food operation. DCMC Sec.

Also covered: Signage Rules (moderate), Home Daycare (permissive), Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for Daly City for details.

Noise Ordinances

Barking Dogs: No Daly City ordinance specifically addresses barking dogs. Chronic barking is enforced under the general disturbing-the-peace chapter, including the 10:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.

Also covered: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (moderate), Leaf Blower Rules (moderate), Vehicle Noise (limited). See the full noise ordinances guide for Daly City for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Trimming: No one may prune, spray, plant, or otherwise work on any public right-of-way or street tree in Daly City without a permit from the Director of Public Works under Municipal Code section 12.40.110. Unauthorized pruning of city trees is billed to the responsible property owner, and topping street trees is unlawful..

Also covered: Weed Ordinances (moderate), Artificial Turf (moderate), Water Restrictions (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Daly City for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Pool Permits: Constructing, altering, or removing a swimming pool or permanent spa in Daly City requires a building permit from the Building Division under the California Building Code as adopted by Municipal Code Title 15; small prefabricated above-ground pools are the main exemption..

Also covered: Fencing & Safety Requirements (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Daly City for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Primary-Residence-Only Rule: Daly City allows short-term rentals only in the host's primary residence, where the host lives at least 265 days per year. Non-owner-occupied vacation rentals are prohibited citywide, and STRs are banned in income-restricted units and on any property with an ADU or junior ADU..

Also covered: Night Caps (moderate), Occupancy Limits (restrictive), Short-Term Rental Parking Rules (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Daly City for details.

Fire Regulations

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires: Backyard fires in chimineas, fire bowls, and portable fireplaces are allowed in Daly City under the adopted California Fire Code, but only burning clean fuels -- never rubbish or yard waste -- and never during a Bay Area Spare the Air Alert, when all wood burning is illegal indoors and outdoors..

Also covered: Brush Clearance (moderate), Outdoor Burning (strict), Fireworks (strict). See the full fire regulations guide for Daly City for details.

Data Centers & Crypto Mining

Data Center Noise Limits: Daly City's Municipal Code sets no decibel limit for a data center. Chapter 9.22 bars noise heard beyond your property line between ten p.m.

Also covered: Data Center Zoning & Siting (moderate). See the full data centers & crypto mining guide for Daly City for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: Daly City follows state ADU law, which supersedes conflicting city code provisions. Single-family lots may add one attached or conversion ADU, one JADU, and one detached ADU; detached ADUs may reach 1,200 square feet with 4-foot rear and side setbacks..

Also covered: Garage Conversions (moderate), Shed & Carport Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Daly City for details.

What to Do With This Information

Whether you are renting, buying, or renovating in Daly City, knowing the local rules upfront saves headaches later. Dig into the individual ordinance pages linked above for the complete picture, including fines and exemptions.