Moving to Daly City, CA?

Construction with a valid city permit is allowed weekdays 8 AM to 8 PM in Daly City. Weekend and holiday construction hours are more restricted. Unpermitted construction noise outside these hours is prohibited.

Daly City regulates noise under Chapter 9.22 (Disturbing the Peace). Residential sound limits are 60 dBA daytime and 50 dBA nighttime. The general quiet period runs 10 PM to 7 AM.

Daly City prohibits nuisance barking under Title 6 (Animals) and Chapter 9.22 (Disturbing the Peace). Owners must prevent dogs from habitually barking or howling in a manner that disturbs neighbors.

STR guests in Daly City must comply with all city parking ordinances. No vehicles, boats, RVs, or trailers may be parked in the front yard except on the driveway within garage width. Street parking rules apply to all guests.

Daly City Municipal Code Chapter 5.92 does not specify a dollar-amount liability insurance requirement for short-term rental hosts. Instead, applicants must sign an Indemnification and Waiver Agreement as part of the Short-Term Rental Permit application, agreeing to hold the City harmless for losses arising from STR activity. Hosts using major hosting platforms typically receive platform-provided host protection (Airbnb's AirCover offers up to $1 million in liability coverage, Vrbo's Liability Insurance offers up to $1 million) but this platform coverage is not a city mandate. Hosts should also confirm their homeowner's or renter's policy permits STR use and consider a dedicated commercial-style STR policy.

Daly City Municipal Code Chapter 5.92 caps short-term rental occupancy at two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests per stay, with one booking per property per day. Hosted stays (host on-site) have no annual day cap, while un-hosted stays are limited to 100 days per year. STRs are restricted to the host's primary residence, defined as a home occupied by the host at least 265 days per year. ADUs, JADUs, and inclusionary or income-restricted units are prohibited from STR use. The host (or tenant with notarized owner authorization) is responsible for guest conduct and must designate a 24/7 local responsible contact who can respond within one hour.

STR guests in Daly City must comply with all city noise ordinances. The STR permit requires hosts to maintain a 24/7 local contact and respond promptly to noise complaints. Repeat violations can result in permit revocation.

Daly City charges a 13% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on all STR stays under 30 days. TOT is calculated on gross rental income and due quarterly. Business license minimum $110/year also required.

Daly City requires a Short-Term Rental Permit and business license to operate any STR. STRs must be the host's primary residence (265+ days/year). ADUs cannot be used as STRs. Permits cost $750 new / $142.50 renewal.

Open burning is generally banned in Daly City under BAAQMD Regulation 5. Wood-burning devices (fireplaces, wood stoves) cannot be used on Spare the Air Alert days under BAAQMD Regulation 6, Rule 3.

All fireworks are illegal in Daly City — including 'Safe and Sane' fireworks. Violations carry fines up to $1,000 and possible jail time. The Police Department actively enforces the ban, especially around July 4th.

Fire pits are effectively prohibited in Daly City due to BAAQMD open burning restrictions. Any outdoor burning — including backyard fire pits — is banned under BAAQMD Regulation 5, which covers the entire Bay Area.

In Daly City, only the driveway area (not to exceed garage width by more than 6 inches each side) may be used for vehicle parking in front yards. Paved front yard areas complying with §17.34.050 may allow additional vehicle parking.

Daly City enforces California Vehicle Code §22651 for abandoned vehicles (72 hours on public street). Street sweeping parking restrictions are posted by block. Overnight parking rules vary by zone.

Daly City restricts overnight and extended parking of large commercial vehicles in residential zones. California Vehicle Code provisions on commercial vehicle parking apply citywide.

Daly City prohibits parking RVs, boats, trailers, and camper shells in the front yard of residential lots. They may only be parked on the driveway within approved width limits. Street parking rules also apply.

Fences in Daly City cannot exceed 6 feet in height. No permit is required for fences at or below 6 feet. Fences in front yards are typically limited to lower heights under zoning requirements.

No permit is required to build a fence in Daly City as long as it does not exceed the 6-foot height limit. Fences over 6 feet or retaining walls may require a building permit.

Fence ownership and cost-sharing between neighbors in Daly City is governed by California Civil Code §841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act). The city's position is that fence construction is a matter of agreement between property owners.

Daly City requires all dogs to be on a leash when off the owner's property. Dogs must be under the immediate control of their owner at all times on public property. Animal control is handled by Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA.

Daly City's municipal code does not have a specific beekeeping ordinance. Beekeeping in residential zones may be subject to nuisance provisions and general zoning rules. Best practice is to contact the Planning Division before installing hives.

Daly City does not have a breed-specific ban on dogs. All dogs must be licensed and vaccinated regardless of breed. Aggressive or dangerous dogs may be subject to additional restrictions after an incident.

Daly City follows California state law on exotic animals. California bans many exotic species outright. The city's animal code may restrict keeping wild or dangerous animals. Contact Peninsula Humane Society for specifics.

Daly City requires property owners to abate overgrowth of weeds, brush, and high grass that could become a fire hazard or nuisance. The city's Code Enforcement Division responds to complaints about unmaintained landscaping.

Daly City is served by SFPUC water. Bay Area Conservation requirements and SFPUC drought restrictions may limit outdoor watering. Water waste (runoff, watering during/after rain) is prohibited under state conservation mandates.

Residents may trim private trees without a permit. Work on city-owned trees requires written approval from Public Works. Trees overhanging public sidewalks are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner.

Daly City requires approval before removing city-owned trees. Private tree removal on private property generally does not require a city permit, but removal of significant or heritage trees may require review.

Customer visits to home-based businesses in Daly City are highly restricted. No retail sales or customer traffic that alters the residential character of the neighborhood is permitted under home occupation rules.

No business signage is permitted for home-based businesses in Daly City residential zones. Any exterior indication of a commercial use is prohibited under home occupation rules.

Home-based businesses in Daly City require a Home Occupation Permit under DCMC Title 17. The business must be clearly incidental to the residential use with no exterior evidence of commercial activity.

All residential swimming pools in Daly City must comply with California Health & Safety Code §115920 (Swimming Pool Safety Act), requiring a minimum 60-inch barrier. Two drowning prevention safety features are required.

Daly City pools must comply with state safety act requirements including barriers, alarms, and covers. New pools require a building permit and inspections. All pools must have covered drains (Virginia Graeme Baker Act).

Above-ground pools in Daly City may require a building permit depending on size and permanence. All pool safety act fencing requirements apply. Temporary inflatable pools under 18 inches deep are generally exempt.

Daly City Municipal Code Title 17 (Zoning) and Section 17.34 (Off-Street Parking and Loading) require single-family residences to provide enclosed garage parking, not open carports. New dwellings need 2 to 6 garage spaces depending on habitable square footage, with required spaces accessed by an automatic overhead garage door. Carports as a stand-alone covered-parking solution are not the standard; replacing a garage with a carport typically requires Planning Division review. Any new accessory parking structure must meet residential setbacks (commonly 5 ft side/rear) and the height limit of the underlying zone, and a building permit is required for permanent posts and roof.

Garage conversions to ADUs or living space are permitted in Daly City per California ADU law. Building permit required. Replacement parking is not required when a garage is converted to an ADU under state law.

Daly City permits ADUs and JADUs in all residential zones per state law. ADUs cannot be used as short-term rentals. Detached ADUs up to 800 sq ft or 50% of main dwelling, 16 ft max height, 4-ft rear/side setbacks.

Accessory structures (sheds, detached garages) in Daly City are subject to zoning setbacks and height limits under DCMC Title 17. Small sheds under 120 sq ft may not require a building permit, but must still meet zoning requirements.

Parts of Daly City near the bay and low-lying areas are in FEMA flood zones requiring flood insurance for federally-backed mortgages. Construction in Special Flood Hazard Areas requires a floodplain development permit.