Accessory Structures in Daly City, CA (2026)
9 verified accessory structures rules for Daly City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
ADUs Follow State Law; Detached Units to 1,200 Sq Ft
Some RestrictionsCity of Daly City Accessory Dwelling Unit Guide; Cal. Gov. Code secs. 65852.2, 65852.22
Recent amendments to state laws (Government Code Sections 65852.2 and 65852.22) have made it easier for homeowners to construct an Accessory Dwelling Unit and a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit on their properties. Effective January 1, 2020, any conflicting regulation within the Daly City Municipal Code is superseded by state law until the City adopts a local ordinance. ... Lot coverage, floor ar...
ADU Permits
ADU permits in Daly City are processed ministerially (over-the-counter, no public hearing) through the Planning Division and Building Division. Under Cal. Gov. Code 65852.2(b)(1), the city must approve or deny a complete ADU permit application within 60 days. Applications are submitted digitally via the Daly City Permit Portal. The Planning Division (650-991-8033) reviews zoning compliance under DCMC 17.40.100; Building reviews compliance with the 2022 California Building Standards Code (Title 24).
Daly City ADU Permit Process - Ministerial 60-Day Review
Some RestrictionsADU Impact Fees
ADUs under 750 sq ft in Daly City are fully exempt from impact fees by state mandate (Cal. Gov. Code 65852.2(f)(3)(A)). ADUs of 750 sq ft or larger may be charged impact fees, but only in proportion to the size of the ADU relative to the primary dwelling. School fees under Ed. Code 17620 also do not apply to ADUs under 750 sq ft. Daly City's Master Fee Schedule (per dalycity.org/249/Fee-Schedule) implements these caps. Standard building-permit fees and plan-review fees still apply.
Daly City ADU Impact Fees - State Exemption Under 750 sq ft
Few RestrictionsADU Owner Occupancy
Daly City cannot require ADU owner occupancy. California Gov. Code 65852.2(a)(8) prohibits local agencies from imposing owner-occupancy requirements on any ADU permitted between Jan. 1, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2024, and AB 976 (2023) made this permanent for all ADUs going forward. Junior ADUs (JADUs) under Gov. Code 65852.22 still require owner occupancy of one of the units, but SB 543 (eff. Jan. 1, 2026) narrowed this to JADUs that share sanitation facilities with the main house. Daly City's older DCMC 17.40.100 owner-occupancy language is superseded by state law.
Daly City ADU Owner-Occupancy - Prohibited by State Law Through 2024, Limited After
Few RestrictionsADU Rental Restrictions
Daly City ADUs and JADUs may not be rented for terms of 30 days or less. This is a statewide rule under Cal. Gov. Code 65852.2(a)(6) (ADUs) and Gov. Code 65852.22 / AB 1154 (JADUs, effective Oct. 10, 2025) - short-term rentals via Airbnb, VRBO, or similar are prohibited. Long-term rental (31+ days) is allowed and is not subject to owner-occupancy restrictions for ADUs permitted after Jan. 1, 2020. Daly City does not have a separate STR licensing scheme that overrides this rule.
Daly City ADU Rental Restrictions - 30-Day Minimum (Cal. Gov. Code 65852.2)
Some RestrictionsShed Rules
Daly City allows sheds, gazebos, pergolas, and similar accessory structures without setbacks only when combined floor area stays at or under 120 square feet; larger structures must meet zone setbacks, lot coverage limits, a 15-foot height cap, and administrative design review.
Sheds Over 120 Sq Ft Need Permits and Design Review
Some RestrictionsDaly City Municipal Code sec. 17.40.085 (Ord. No. 1412, sec. 9, 2-13-2017)
Structures conforming to the above shall be allowed without setbacks, shall not be subject to any lot coverage regulation, and shall not be subject to design review. Any structure otherwise conforming to the above, but exceeding one hundred twenty square feet, shall conform to the lot coverage and setback limitations imposed by the respective zone in which it is situated shall not be greater th...
Garage Conversions
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 Need Permits; ADU Parking Protected
Some RestrictionsCity of Daly City Accessory Dwelling Unit Guide (ADU Checklist); Cal. Gov. Code sec. 66314(d)(11)
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...
Carport Rules
Carports in Daly City are treated as accessory structures under Title 14 (Planning, Zoning) and require a building permit under the California Building Code adopted in Title 12. They must observe zoning setbacks for the underlying residential district and may not encroach into required front yards. Carports replacing required off-street parking must keep the parking space conforming. Cal. Gov. Code §66323 protects carport conversions to ADU.
Carports in Daly City
Some RestrictionsTiny Homes
Daly City has no separate tiny-home ordinance. A tiny home built on a permanent foundation is treated as an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and is governed by California Government Code §66323, which Daly City must apply ministerially. A tiny home on wheels (THOW / movable tiny house) does not qualify as an ADU under state law and is regulated as a recreational vehicle - it cannot be occupied as a permanent residence on a single-family lot.
Tiny Homes in Daly City
Some RestrictionsLooking for San Mateo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Daly City city rules.
Accessory Structures in San Mateo County →