Before You Build in Daly City, CA: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.