Daly City — Design Review

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Design review in Daly City is a discrete, ordinance-driven process that controls exterior building, site, and sign appearance where the city’s zoning code requires review. The city’s Design Review chapter establishes who reviews projects (city planner, design review committee, planning commission, or city council), what must be submitted, the findings required for approval, and appeal/expiration/enforcement rules. See the city’s zoning rules for where design review applies and how it interacts with objective design standards and combining districts. § 17.45.010

Note: the word “design review” in this page links to Daly City’s zoning menu where the process and permit triggers are documented: Daly City Zoning (/us/california/daly-city/zoning).

How this page is organized

• First, the ordinance-level rules that control design review (who decides, thresholds, submittal list, required findings, conditions, appeals and enforcement). Key controlling sections are summarized and cited.
• Second, a district-by-district breakdown showing the common zones where design review frequently appears and the code sections you’ll check for dimensional standards.
• Third, practical checklists, risks, and a plain-English homeowner summary.

Core Daly City design review rules (what the code actually says)

• Who/what body: A Design Review Committee is established to review projects not processed concurrently with other approvals; the committee’s authority and appointment are set out in § 17.45.020. When design review is required alongside another discretionary application, the city council or planning commission may make the findings; the committee’s decision is final unless appealed. § 17.45.020

• Pre-permit requirement: No building permit or authorization for exterior construction, reconstruction or exterior alteration may be issued for projects where design review/site plan review is required until the design/site plan is approved. § 17.45.070

• Application and submittal content: Applications must be filed on a city form and include property description, owner/applicant, project description and other information the city planner requires. Required supporting materials include a scaled site plan, grading, parking layout, setbacks, elevations, color/material descriptions, exterior appurtenances, lighting, signs, and a landscape plan complying with Chapter 17.41. § 17.45.050 and § 17.45.060

• Findings required to approve: To approve a design review or site plan the reviewer must find (1) the chapter and applicable guidelines are complied with, (2) the approval is in the public interest, (3) site layout and circulation, setbacks, heights and safety create a desirable environment, (4) architectural character, materials, colors and screening create compatibility with surroundings, and (5) landscaping consistent with Chapter 17.41 is provided. § 17.45.080

• Conditions, denial, and enforcement: The approving body may impose conditions to protect the neighborhood and public welfare; denial must be based on inability to make the findings in § 17.45.080. Failure to comply with conditions is a code violation; permits may expire after one year if not “used” (i.e., building permit obtained and construction commenced). §§ 17.45.090, 17.45.100, 17.45.140, 17.45.150

• Applicability (major vs. minor review): The code distinguishes “major design review” projects that must go to the design review committee (examples: residential projects of four or more units; new commercial buildings >2,000 sq ft or lots ≥2,500 sq ft). See § 17.45.120 for the applicability thresholds. § 17.45.120

• Objective Design Standards (ODS) & conformity review: For areas and project types governed by the city’s ODS (objective, measurable rules), projects must undergo a pre‑building‑permit conformity review with planning staff not less than 180 days prior to building permit submission. The planning division must respond with written findings within 45 days and applicants have resubmittal timelines; failure to address recommendations can block permit release. See § 17.58.110 and § 17.58.100 (Mission Street / C‑MU corridor ODS examples). §§ 17.58.110, 17.58.100

• Design guidelines and non-discretionary review: Where a discretionary permit is required, the decision body evaluates compliance with adopted design guidelines; if discretionary review is not required, building plans are still checked by the planning division for compliance with design guidelines and may be disapproved if not in compliance. § 17.35.030

• Combining / overlay districts: Several combining districts impose additional design review triggers (for example S‑1 Design Review Combining District and the -B BART Station Area Combining District both require design review or apply additional criteria). See § 17.26.010–050 and § 17.29.060. §§ 17.26.010–050, 17.29.060

District-by-district breakdown (where design review normally appears and the base standards to check)

Below are district summaries focused on design-review relevance and the local code sections you must consult. Bolded district names are the zoning labels used in Daly City’s Title 17.

• R-1 (single‑family residential): Purpose — preserve single‑family character; typical permitted uses — detached single‑family homes and accessory uses (including ADUs under state and local ADU rules). Key dimensional rules affecting design review include minimum lot area per dwelling and lot coverage (see § 17.38.060 for lot area per dwelling and § 17.38.070 for maximum lot coverage). If exterior changes are visible from public right-of-way and meet design-review triggers, plans must comply with the design guidelines in Chapter 17.35 and submit required materials under § 17.45.060. §§ 17.38.060, 17.38.070, 17.35.020‑030, 17.45.060

• R-1/A (single‑family / duplex overlay with design protections): Purpose — protect existing neighborhoods and allow duplexes while controlling visual impacts. Typical standards include minimum lot area 2,500 sq ft, maximum height 30 ft, minimum front yard 15 ft, maximum lot coverage 55%. See § 17.09.050 for these yard/coverage/height rules; design review requirements follow Chapter 17.45. § 17.09.050, § 17.45.010

• R-2 (two‑family): Purpose — permit duplexes/low‑density multi‑family; permitted uses include R‑1 uses plus two‑family dwellings. See § 17.10.010 for the uses table and dimensional rules (height up to 36 ft in many cases; lot coverage and lot area per unit standards apply). Design review applies when projects meet Chapter 17.45 triggers or specific-plan/overlay rules. § 17.10.010, § 17.45.120

• R‑H / R‑L (Residential High/Low Density): Higher‑density zones have specific density, height and floor‑area rules and often require design review for multi‑unit developments. See the local zone tables and § 17.38.020–070 for open‑space and lot‑coverage/density rules, and apply Chapter 17.45 findings for multi‑unit projects. § 17.38.020–070, § 17.45.080

• C‑MU (Mission Street Corridor – Commercial Mixed‑Use): Purpose — corridor mixed‑use with objective design standards and a mandatory conformity review process for new construction; typical uses — mixed residential, retail and office per the Mission Street plan. Key standards: maximum height up to 15 stories / 175 ft (measurement rules and limited mechanical/elevator exceptions apply), minimum lot area for subdivision 10,000 sq ft, minimum lot coverage 50%, minimum front sidewalk widths and lot‑coverage/open‑space rules. For projects subject to ODS, follow the conformity review timeline (180 days prior to building permit, 45‑day response, re‑submittal timelines). See §§ 17.58.040–110 for the C‑MU rules and ODS process. §§ 17.58.040, 17.58.050, 17.58.060, 17.58.080, 17.58.100, 17.58.110

• BOC (BART Office Commercial) and C‑R/R (Residential Retail Commercial): Commercial and mixed‑use districts list permitted uses and dimensional tables (see § 17.17.010 for BOC and the applicable C‑R/R table in the zoning tables). Design review is typically required for new construction or exterior remodeling visible to the public, and specific‑plan areas (like BART station area) add additional design guidelines. § 17.17.010, 17.29.060

• OS (Open Space) and Planned Development / Specific Plan areas: In combining districts like -B (BART) or -RP resource protection, additional design review triggers and specific standards apply; the combining district language specifies whether design review is required and which plan or guidelines govern (e.g., the BART Station Area Specific Plan requires design review per § 17.29.060). §§ 17.29.010–060, 17.28.030

Note: for any parcel, “Verify with the jurisdiction” — some properties fall into multiple overlays or specific plans, and the underlying district rules interact with combining-district rules (combining district rules may prevail where inconsistent). See the overlay district chapter and the specific district text. § 17.26.020

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant design review standards

Checklist (what an applicant must have or do before submitting)

• Confirm whether your parcel is within an overlay or combining district (for example S‑1, -B BART, Mission Street C‑MU) and follow additional design standards if so; see overlay rules. § 17.26.020, 17.29.060
• Determine whether the project is a “major design review” per § 17.45.120 (e.g., 4+ units, commercial >2,000 sq ft) and which reviewing body will decide. § 17.45.120
• Prepare full application on city form and the items listed in § 17.45.060: site plan, dimensions, parking layout, ingress/egress, grading, elevations, materials/colors, lighting, signage, appurtenances, and landscape plan complying with Chapter 17.41. §§ 17.45.050–060, 17.41.010
• If located in an ODS area (e.g., C‑MU Mission Street), submit a conformity review package to planning staff ≥180 days before anticipated building permit. § 17.58.110
• Budget for possible conditions of approval, public noticing and appeals; be prepared to respond to planning staff recommendations within the 30/45‑day re‑submittal windows. § 17.58.110
• Track permit “use” deadlines (1‑year automatic termination rule) and request extension early if needed. § 17.45.150

Note: This page links to Daly City Development Standards (/us/california/daly-city/development-standards) for the reader’s first check of setbacks and dimensional rules and to Daly City Parking (/us/california/daly-city/parking) for off‑street parking rules referenced in submittal requirements. If you are preparing an ADU application, consult Daly City ADUs (/us/california/daly-city/adu) and state ADU law guidance. Large projects should also reference the California Building Standards Code (/us/california/building-codes) for separate building code compliance.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

If your project changes a building or site appearance that others can see (new building, big addition, exterior remodel, new signage or visible mechanical equipment), Daly City’s zoning code often makes you file a design review or site plan — the city will require scaled plans, elevations, colors/materials, landscaping, and parking info, and a reviewer must be able to make specified findings before approval. The code lists which projects automatically need “major” review (for example, most 4+ unit residential projects and larger commercial buildings) and includes a special conformity review process for areas covered by objective design standards such as the Mission Street corridor. §§ 17.45.060, 17.45.080, 17.45.120, 17.58.110

Source References

• Daly City Municipal Code — Design Review Chapter: § 17.45.010 – § 17.45.160 (purpose, powers, applications, required data, procedures, findings, conditions, denial, expiration, enforcement).
• Required submittal detail for design/site plans: § 17.45.060.
• Design guidelines / property development and maintenance: Chapter 17.35, including § 17.35.020–040 (design guideline applicability, property development standards, appeals).
• S‑1 Design Review Combining District: § 17.26.010–070 (purpose, combining rules, criteria, appeals).
• BART Station Area Combining District (design review required there): § 17.29.010–070, especially § 17.29.060.
• C‑MU (Mission Street Corridor) objective design standards and conformity review rules: §§ 17.58.040–110 (height, lot area/width, lot coverage, yard rules, ODS conformity).
• Lot area, coverage and density rules affecting residential districts: Chapter 17.38, including § 17.38.040, § 17.38.060, § 17.38.070.
• R‑2 district table and rules: § 17.10.010.
• Permit enforcement and expiration rules referenced: §§ 17.45.140, 17.45.150 and enforcement chapter 17.50.

Retrieved passages

• Daly City Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Daly City Zoning Code (chapter and) High relevance show source text
• Daly City Zoning Code (Chapter 17.41) High relevance show source text
• Daly City Zoning Code (Chapter 17.41) High relevance show source text
• Daly City Zoning Code (§ 5) High relevance show source text
• Daly City Zoning Code (§ 6) High relevance show source text
• Daly City Zoning Code (chapter to) High relevance show source text
• Daly City Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Daly City Zoning Code (Section 65583.2) Medium relevance show source text
• Daly City Zoning Code (§ 20.5) Medium relevance show source text
• Daly City Zoning Code (Section 17.42.060) Medium relevance show source text
• Daly City Zoning Code (§ 15.3) Medium relevance show source text
• Daly City Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Daly City Zoning Code (Section 17.40.040) Medium relevance show source text
• Daly City Zoning Code (§ 15.3) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Daly City Municipal Code — Design Review Chapter: **§ 17.45.010 – § 17.45.160** (purpose, powers, applications, required data, procedures, findings, conditions, denial, expiration, enforcement). (§ 17.45.010)
• Required submittal detail for design/site plans: **§ 17.45.060**. (§ 17.45.060)
• Design guidelines / property development and maintenance: **Chapter 17.35**, including **§ 17.35.020–040** (design guideline applicability, property development standards, appeals). (Chapter 17.35)
• S‑1 Design Review Combining District: **§ 17.26.010–070** (purpose, combining rules, criteria, appeals). (§ 17.26.010)
• BART Station Area Combining District (design review required there): **§ 17.29.010–070**, especially **§ 17.29.060**. (§ 17.29.010)
• C‑MU (Mission Street Corridor) objective design standards and conformity review rules: **§§ 17.58.040–110** (height, lot area/width, lot coverage, yard rules, ODS conformity). (§ 17.58.040)
• Lot area, coverage and density rules affecting residential districts: **Chapter 17.38**, including **§ 17.38.040, § 17.38.060, § 17.38.070**. (Chapter 17.38)
• R‑2 district table and rules: **§ 17.10.010**. (§ 17.10.010)
• Permit enforcement and expiration rules referenced: **§§ 17.45.140, 17.45.150** and enforcement chapter **17.50**. (§ 17.45.140)
• DalyCity_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California ADU handbook.md

• Official Daly City code library