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Purpose

The Building Division is responsible for the administration and enforcement of adopted California Uniform Building Codes to safeguard life, health, property and public welfare.

The Building Division:

Location

The Building Division is located on the second (main floor) of City Hall at 333 90th Street.

Hours and Telephone Numbers

The counter is open to the public to obtain permits and information from 8:00AM to 5:00PM with the exception of Wednesdays, when the counter opens at 9:00AM. The counter is open during the lunch hour.

We can be reached by telephone at (650) 991-8061 or by facsimile (fax) at (650) 991-8070.

Adopted Codes

Effective December 2007, Daly City adopted and enforces the 2007 editions of the California Building, Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical, and Energy Codes, and the 2006 editions of the International Property Maintenance and International Existing Building Codes, with Daly City amendments. Specific Daly City amendments can be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office located in City Hall.

Permits Required

Permits are required to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish any building or structure in Daly City.

This includes:

If your have a question as to whether your project requires a permit, call the Building Division during normal business hours at (650) 991-8061.

Obtaining a Permit

Permits may be obtained in person or by mail or fax. Daly City requires that the permit be issued to the person or contractor who will be doing the work.

Simple building maintenance permits are issued over the counter, or by mail or fax, the same day. Daly City issues approximately 5,000 such permits annually. This accounts for 90% of the permits issued. The other 10% of permits require that plans be prepared and submitted for review. Plans need to be submitted on projects for new buildings, additions, remodeling involving moving walls, adding habitable space in garages, patio covers and decks, and retaining walls.

To obtain a permit, a building permit application must be completed and check in the amount of the permit fees must be provided. A copy of a valid worker’s compensation insurance policy must be presented.

Daly City implemented their C&D program effective April 16, 2007. Projects covered under Daly City's Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling Ordinance (DCMC 15.64) require a payment of a refundable deposit at time of permit issuance. Click here to review Daly City's program and its requirements, as well as obtain necessary forms.

Fees

Division fees are assessed and collected in an amount to cover the cost of the service provided. The fee schedule is available on-line or by calling our office at (650) 991-8061

Building maintenance permits include replacement of roofs, furnaces, water heaters, garage doors, windows, siding, termite work, electrical service upgrade, and other similar replacement work.

To obtain a permit in person, visit the Building Division on a normal business day by 4:30p.m.. Customers are served on a first-come, first-served basis. Permits applied for in person are normally issued within a few minutes.

To obtain a permit by mail, include a completed application, check and copy of the valid worker’s compensation insurance. To determine the permit fee, either telephone the Building Division during normal business hours or request a fee schedule.

To obtain a permit by fax, payment must be made by credit card (Visa or MasterCard). A credit card application must be completed and on file prior to obtaining a permit. Thereafter, a permit may be readily obtained by faxing a completed application and copy of the valid worker’s compensation insurance policy.

A project requires plans when it is necessary to provide a greater level of detail to demonstrate compliance with adopted codes and ordinances. Building additions, remodeling involving moving walls, adding habitable space in garages, patio covers and decks, and retaining walls require plans.

In general, plans do not need to be prepared by and architect or engineer, but they must be of sufficient quality to show the scope and nature of the work. Handouts regarding specific information to include on residential and commercial projects are available at the Building Division.

Initially submitted plans are generally reviewed within ten working days. The plan reviewer will either approve the plans or provide plan check comments. If plans are approved, fees will be calculated and permits will be ready to issue. If plans are not approved, they will need to be revised to address specific plan check comments, and must be resubmitted. In either case, written notification will be provided. Resubmitted plans are generally reviewed within five working days.

For certain relatively simple projects, same day, or Express Plan Review is available.

Express Plan Review

Express plan review is available for residential remodeling projects, most commercial tenant improvement work, decks, retaining walls, and single-story residential additions less than 50% of the original gross floor space. Commercial tenant improvement work that is sufficiently complicated, so as to require more time, will not qualify. Examples include projects in excess of 7,500 square feet and projects involving structural calculations.

Express Plan Review requires that plans be submitted between 8:00 and 10:00AM on Tuesdays. Applicants will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. Plans will be reviewed the same day by all affected City divisions and departments. A letter will be mailed that either approves or denies the application. If approved, permit fees will be calculated and included. If denied, specific plan check comments will be provided.

Inspections Required

In general, all work must be inspected before it is covered. Specifically, inspections are to be obtained as required by the California Codes.

It is the responsibility of the individual who obtained the permit to call for, arrange access and obtain all required inspections.

On a typical construction project, normally foundation, framing, blind wall, insulation, dry wall, and final inspections are obtained. At the framing inspection, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical rough-in inspections are also done.

Roofing Inspection

On a permit to install a new roof, generally only one inspection is required—an in-progress inspection. The inspector needs to see the materials being installed. When new wood decking is being installed in conjunction with the roof, an inspection will need to be obtained prior to covering the decking to verify correct nailing.

Final Inspection

For all but roofing projects, a final inspection is required upon completion of the work before use or occupancy of the improvements may occur.

Inspection Scheduling

To schedule an inspection, call (650) 991-8061 before 3:30PM the day before you need the inspection. Please have your permit number ready when calling. Either a morning or afternoon inspection may be requested. You may call between 8:00 and 8:30AM the morning of the inspection to ask the inspector for an approximate inspection time or to cancel the inspection. Normal inspection hours are between 8:30AM and 12 noon and 1:30PM and 5:00PM.

For roofing inspections only, in special circumstances due to weather conditions, inspections arranged by 10AM may be done the same day.

Note: The number of Friday inspections is limited, so call in early!

Enforcement

Enforcement action begins when a complaint is received. Complaints are normally received from concerned citizens or City staff.

Cases usually involve illegal secondary units, construction without permits or building maintenance problems.

Enforcement is addressed on a case-by-case basis. Generally, an inspection of the property is conducted with the owner by one of the enforcement building inspectors. A letter is then mailed to the owner enumerating the violations, requested action and time periods for compliance. The base enforcement fee for an unpermitted secondary unit is $600, construction without permit $300. These fees double if the violation is not abated within 30 days. They double again after 120 days.

Should the owner default or otherwise not respond to the action set forth, the case will be forwarded to an Administrative Hearing Board. The Board hearing is an opportunity for a property owner to appeal. The Board may levy penalty fees of up to $10,000.

If resolution is still not obtained, the case may be forwarded to the City Council for a lien and authorization to abate the violations. Criminal charges may also be filed.

Residential Requirements Report (3R)

Daly City Ordinance Number 992 requires an owner of residential property of two units or less to obtain a 3R report prior to entering into an agreement of sale.
The report includes a permit*, enforcement and zoning history of the property. It is a record of what the City has determined to be the legal use of the property. If there are rooms or other improvements which are not shown in the 3R report, it is likely they were constructed without permits. If construction work was not done with permits, it may pose a danger to those who inhabit the areas; and if a complaint is received, enforcement action will begin.

A request form may be obtained in person at the counter in the Building Division or by telephone at (650) 991-8061. Once the completed request form and $45 payment is received, a search of City records will be conducted and pertinent information entered onto a 3R. A validated copy of the report will be returned by mail or fax within five working days of receipt of the request. The report is valid for six months from date of issuance.

* Only permits issued after January 1989 will be listed on the 3R. Permits issued prior to that date are available on microfiche and may be viewed in the Building Division offices in City Hall.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I put a secondary unit (in-law apartment) in the lower level of my house?

To have a secondary unit in a single family dwelling, first, the owner of record must live on site. Second, there must be no less than four (4) parking spaces off the street. A parking place must be at least 19 feet in length. The normal configuration is two, side by side, in the garage and two, side by side in the driveway. Under the current ordinance, houses with tandem, end to end, parking are not able to furnish the required parking; therefore, they are not permitted to have the second unit. If the residence meets the parking requirement, the owner can submit plans and complete the necessary forms to apply for a secondary unit.

Who is responsible for the fence between properties?

Fences come under a “good neighbor” policy. The City does not require fences, nor are permits required to build fences as long as they do not exceed the six foot height limit. Ownership, building, or rebuilding is a matter of agreement between property owners. Should a neighbor not desire to help defray the cost or labor, the other owner can do the work on their own.

How can I change my address?

An owner of a property may request an address change. The request must be made in writing and submitted to the Building Division, either in person or by mail. The writing must indicate the current and proposed address of the property. A check in the amount of $150 must accompany the request. This is a non-refundable fee for this service. The Chief Building Inspector will evaluate the request and either approve or deny the request.

What needs to be done when I sell my house?

Prior to sale of a house, a 3R report must be obtained from the City.

Upon the sale of a house, City ordinance requires the water heater, if located in the garage, to be raised 18 inches from the garage floor to the flame or from the element capable of generating a glow or spark. This work requires a permit.

Battery powered smoke detectors are required to be installed in each bedroom or sleeping area and in the hall leading to the bedrooms. This does not require a permit.

All Daly City inspectors are Combination Inspectors. To serve the our residents better, all trades can be inspected and signed off by the same inspector during one visit to the site.

Homeowners, please make sure that your contractor has a permit and obtains the final inspection. Request to see the job card before they start work. The inspector will sign off on the final inspection upon successful completion of the project.

Building Division Staff
Chief Building Supervisor: Val Mandapat
Senior Building Inspector: Bruce Welch
Building Plans Engineer: Earl Wong
Inspectors: Ron Grindrod, Steve Carr, Joe Travers, Chris Wilson
Permit Technician: Omar Guzman
Clerical Staff: Juanita Buckley, Heather Spooner