Daly City Municipal Code Ch. 15.00 General Regulations

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 1484, §§ 1 and 2, adopted Nov. 24, 2025, repealed the former Ch. 15.00, §§ 15.00.010—15.00.080, 15.00.100—15.00170, and 15.00.190, and enacted a new Ch. 15.00 as set out herein. The former 15.00 pertained to similar subject matterand derived from Ord. No. 1461, § 1(Exh. A), adopted Nov. 28, 2022.

Terms Explained:

A. Whenever the term "authority having jurisdiction," "administrative authority," or "code official" is used, it shall mean the building official or their authorized representative. For purposes of this section, "authorized representative" refers to personnel assigned to the building division and acting under the direction of the building official, unless otherwise specified.

B. Where reference is made to governing authority, it shall mean the city council.

C. Where reference is made to private sewage disposal systems, public sewers, and/or the waste department, the term "administrative authority" shall include the North San Mateo County Sanitation District, the Bayshore Sanitation District, the San Mateo County Health Department, and any other public agencies responsible for sewage or sewage disposal.

D. Where reference is made to storm sewers and the water main distribution, the term "administrative authority" shall include the city engineer or their designated representative.

E. Where reference is made to fire protection systems, fire sprinklers, fire alarms, fire department access, or any provision of the California Fire Code, the term "authority having jurisdiction" or "administrative authority" shall include the North County Fire Authority or their authorized representative.

F. Whenever the term "assistant to code official" is used, it shall mean the code enforcement officer.

G. Whenever the term "chief appointing authority" is used, it shall mean the city manager.

(Ord. No. 1484, § 2(Exh. A), 11-24-2025)

Plan review fees, permit fees, investigation fees, penalty and violation fees, and other charges required under this title shall be as prescribed in the city's master fee schedule, as established and amended by ordinance of the city council.

(Ord. No. 1484, § 2(Exh. A), 11-24-2025)

A. Time Limitation of Application—General.

Except as provided in subsection B, every application for a permit under this title for any proposed work for which no permit has been issued within one hundred and eighty calendar days from the date of receipt of the application shall expire by limitation. The building official may extend the time for action by the applicant for a period not exceeding one hundred and eighty calendar days upon written request by the applicant demonstrating circumstances beyond the applicant's control that have prevented action from being taken. No application under this subsection shall be extended more than twice, except that additional extensions may be granted upon written request showing substantial hardship or other extenuating circumstances, at the sole discretion of the building official. For purposes of renewal after expiration, the applicant shall resubmit plans in compliance with the applicable code in effect at the time of resubmittal and pay all applicable plan review fees. The building official may grant an additional extension of up to three hundred and sixty calendar days when necessitated by an official California major disaster declaration issued by FEMA.

B. Time Limitation of Application—Code Enforcement Permits.

If a permit application is filed in order to bring an unpermitted structure, or other unlawful, substandard, or hazardous condition into compliance with applicable law, ordinance, rule, or regulation, and no permit has been issued within ninety calendar days from the date of receipt of the application, the application shall expire by limitation. The building official may extend the time for action by the applicant for a period not exceeding ninety calendar days upon written request demonstrating circumstances beyond the applicant's control that have prevented action from being taken. No application under this subsection shall be extended more than once.

C. Permit Expiration—General.

Except as provided in subsections D and E, every permit issued under this title shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the work authorized by the permit is not commenced within one year from the date of issuance, or if the work authorized by the permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after commencement for a period of one year. "Suspended or abandoned" shall mean the permittee has failed to make substantial progress toward completion of the work, as determined by the building official. Failure to schedule and pass a required interim or final inspection for a period of one year from the date of issuance, or since the most recent inspection, may be deemed a failure to make substantial progress.

Required inspections include, but are not limited to: Footing/foundation, concrete slab or under-floor, framing, lath or gypsum board, fire-resistant penetrations, energy efficiency, any required special inspections, final inspections, and any other inspections required by the building official. The building official may extend a permit upon written demonstration of justifiable delay or a good-faith effort toward code-compliant completion.

D. Permit Extensions—General.

Any permittee holding an unexpired permit may request in writing an extension of time when unable to commence or continue work within the time required by this section. The building official may grant one or more extensions of not more than one hundred and eighty calendar days each, provided a good-faith effort to complete the work is demonstrated and the delay is due to circumstances beyond the permittee's control. No more than three extensions shall be granted under this subsection, except that additional extensions may be considered upon written request showing substantial hardship or extenuating circumstances, at the sole discretion of the building official. The building official may grant an additional extension of up to three hundred and sixty calendar days when necessitated by an official California major disaster declaration issued by FEMA.

E. Reactivation After Expiration.

If a permit has expired and the work has not been suspended or abandoned for more than one year from the date of the last required inspection, the building official may approve reactivation, provided no changes have been or will be made to the original plans and specifications. If the work was suspended or abandoned for more than one year from the last required inspection, reactivation shall not be approved unless the project is reviewed and brought into compliance with the code in effect at the time of reactivation. The building official may deny reactivation if the permittee has not made a good-faith effort to complete the work. A written report on the current status of construction, including a proposed completion timeframe, shall be required for consideration of renewal.

F. Expiration—Code Enforcement Demolition Permits and Code Enforcement Quick Permits.

A code enforcement demolition permit or code enforcement quick permit issued to address an unpermitted structure, or other unlawful, substandard, or hazardous condition, shall expire ninety calendar days after the date of issuance. The building official may grant one or more extensions of not more than ninety calendar days each, upon written request demonstrating a good-faith effort to complete the work and circumstances beyond the permittee's control.

G. Expiration—Building Maintenance Permits.

A building maintenance permit shall expire one hundred and eighty calendar days after the date of issuance. The building official may grant one or more extensions of not more than one hundred and eighty calendar days each, upon written request demonstrating justifiable cause.

(Ord. No. 1484, § 2(Exh. A), 11-24-2025)

Any person aggrieved by a decision or subject to a hearing under this title shall have the right to appeal to the city council of the city. The appeal shall be in writing and submitted to the city clerk within ten calendar days of the date of the decision or hearing outcome being appealed.

Upon receipt of a timely appeal, the city council, at its next regular meeting, shall set a time for hearing the appeal. The hearing date shall be not less than fourteen nor more than forty-five calendar days from the date of that regular meeting. A copy of the notice of hearing shall be mailed to the appellant not less than ten calendar days before the date of the hearing by the city clerk.

The hearing may be continued at the request of the appellant, subject to approval by the city council, for a period not to exceed sixty calendar days from the date originally set. The decision of the city council shall be final.

Notice of the city council's decision shall be delivered to the appellant personally or sent by certified mail—return receipt requested. The effective date of the decision shall be the date of mailing of the notice or the date it is personally delivered to the appellant.

Failure to file an appeal in accordance with this section shall constitute a waiver of any right to an administrative hearing and adjudication of the matter being appealed.

(Ord. No. 1484, § 2(Exh. A), 11-24-2025)

The building official may request, and shall receive, the assistance and cooperation of other officials of this jurisdiction so far as is required in the discharge of the duties required by this code or other pertinent law or ordinance.

(Ord. No. 1484, § 2(Exh. A), 11-24-2025)

When entry is refused or not obtained, the building official may pursue any inspection warrant or other remedy authorized by law (Code of Civil Procedure Sections 1822.50—1822.57). It is unlawful to violate a lawful order or warrant issued under this title.

(Ord. No. 1484, § 2(Exh. A), 11-24-2025)

Construction drawings required under this title shall be drawn upon a suitable material with a minimum sheet size of eleven inches by seventeen inches (two hundred and seventy-nine millimeters by four hundred and thirty-two millimeters) or larger. All text on construction drawings shall be in a font size equivalent to at least ten-point type, with a printed character height of not less than one eighths inch (3.2 mm) on the submitted plans, and shall be clearly readable. This section does not apply to supporting documents such as calculations, reports, or specifications. Electronic plans (PDF) are accepted; digital sheet sizes shall be equivalent to the minimums herein.

(Ord. No. 1484, § 2(Exh. A), 11-24-2025)

A. Licensed Contractor. A permit may be issued to a person holding a valid contractor's license in the appropriate classification issued by the Contractors State License Board and a valid Daly City business license.

B. Owner-Builder (Single-Family). A bona fide owner of a single-family dwelling may obtain a permit as provided in Business and Professions Code Section 7044, and must either personally perform the work or hire licensed subcontractors where required by law. Eligibility is determined by the building official or authorized representative.

C. Property Management Firm or Corporation. A permit may be issued to a firm or corporation that: (1) regularly employs qualified tradespersons to perform alteration or repair work on buildings it owns or operates, and (2) maintains workers' compensation insurance for those tradespersons. Work requiring licensure shall be performed by state-licensed contractors unless exempt by law.

D. Administrative Authority. Issuance of a permit or approval of plans does not prevent the building official or authorized representative from requiring corrections, issuing stop-work orders, or suspending/revoking any permit or approval issued in error or based on incorrect, inaccurate, or incomplete information.

E. State Law Reference. Nothing in this section creates an exemption from contractor licensure. Minor-work thresholds and related exemptions shall be applied per Business and Professions Code Section 7048.

(Ord. No. 1484, § 2(Exh. A), 11-24-2025)

All design, construction, and installation shall comply with the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) as adopted by this title, referenced standards, approved plans, and manufacturers' installation instructions and listings. Where requirements conflict, the most restrictive shall govern.

(Ord. No. 1484, § 2(Exh. A), 11-24-2025)

All work undertaken in conformance with this code shall adhere to best management practices, guidelines, or requirements adopted by the city for any activity, operation, or facility that may cause or contribute to stormwater pollution or contamination, illicit discharges, and/or the discharge of non-stormwater to the stormwater system. Every person undertaking such activity or operation under this code shall comply with such guidelines or requirements as may be identified by the building official or designee.

On and after January 1, 2026, the installation of copper metal roofing, copper gutters, copper downspouts, and asphalt shingles containing copper granules shall be prohibited for any residential, commercial, or industrial building requiring a building permit. Copper flashing used under tiles or slates, and small copper ornaments, are exempt. Any request for exemption based on historic status shall be reviewed and determined by the planning division. This section is adopted to reduce copper discharge into stormwater and protect water quality.

Note: This amendment is adopted to address local stormwater quality concerns in coordination with the San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program requirements and NPDES municipal stormwater permit obligations.

(Ord. No. 1484, § 2(Exh. A), 11-24-2025)

The adoption of Title 15 of the Daly City Municipal Code does not affect any civil lawsuits instituted or filed, or prosecutions for ordinance violations committed on or prior to the effective date of the said code and does not affect the validity of any bonds or cash deposits posted, filed, or deposited pursuant to the requirement of any ordinance.

(Ord. No. 1484, § 2(Exh. A), 11-24-2025)