Local zoning · Daly City

Daly City — Parking

Q: How wide and long must a parking stall be in Daly City?

A full‑size parking stall must be at least 8.5 ft × 19 ft ; permitted small‑car stalls are smaller (e.g., 8.5 ft × 16 ft ), and parallel/other configurations have other dimensional minimums and aisle widths found in § 17.34.030(A)–(B) .

Q: Does Daly City require accessible (handicapped) parking spaces in small retail lots?

Retail/service developments providing more than 10 off‑street parking spaces must furnish at least one clearly marked handicapped parking space; residential developments with units designed for disabled persons must provide one handicapped space per such unit. Handicapped spaces must meet the width standards in § 17.34.030(F) . Check Title 24/ADA for additional building code standards.

Q: If my project is in the C‑MU district, do I use a different parking table?

No—new construction in C‑MU generally must comply with Chapter 17.34 , but § 17.58.090 explicitly allows state law to supersede Chapter 17.34 (for example, state parking reductions for housing projects). If you seek a state‑law parking reduction, include the qualifying analysis with your application.

Q: Are tandem parking and driveway counts allowed to meet required spaces?

Yes. The code allows up to three required residential parking spaces to be provided in tandem (see § 17.34.020(A) ) and provides rules for when driveway depth (19 ft from back of sidewalk) can count toward required spaces in § 17.34.030(H) .

Parking under the Daly City local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes how Daly City’s zoning ordinance treats parking, including off-street parking counts, design/dimension standards, loading, driveway/front-yard paving rules, and how specific districts reference the parking chapter. The core rules live in Chapter 17.34 of the Daly City Zoning Ordinance; district chapters (for example the C‑MU district and the BART Station Area) point back to Chapter 17.34 and add only limited, targeted direction. See the city’s rules on development standards and how parking fits into design review submittals.

Key takeaways up front:

The parking schedule (how many spaces are required by use) is in § 17.34.020.
Parking space sizes and lot layout rules are in § 17.34.030.
Off‑street loading rules are in § 17.34.040.
Front‑yard paving/driveway hardscape rules that affect parking in front yards are in § 17.34.050.

District-by-district breakdown (parking-focused)

Below are the Daly City zoning districts where the zoning code (or district chapter) either specifies parking directly or explicitly defers to Chapter 17.34. For each district I state the district name in bold, the typical uses, how parking requirements are applied, and any local variations found in the retrieved materials.

R‑1 (Single‑Family Residential)

Purpose/typical uses: single‑family detached homes. Verify specific purposes with the zoning map.
Parking rules: Single‑family parking counts are prescribed by use/house size in § 17.34.020(A) (two to six spaces depending on habitable square footage and conversions) and garage/driveway dimensions are in § 17.34.030(H).
Where it applies: citywide R‑1 parcels; driveway/front yard paving rules that limit converting the front yard to hardscape apply to single dwellings in § 17.34.050.

R‑1/A (Single‑Family / Duplex)

Purpose/typical uses: single family and duplex in close proximity; duplex standards appear under duplex and garage rules.
Parking rules: Duplexes require two spaces per unit (four total) under § 17.34.020(B); garage dimension rules (including tandem allowances and 19 ft driveway rules) are in § 17.34.030(H).

Multiple‑Dwelling / R‑2, R‑3 (applies to “Multiple‑Dwelling Residential”)

Purpose/typical uses: apartments, condominiums.
Parking rules: Per‑unit parking ratios (studio = 1; 1‑bed = 1.5; 2‑bed or larger = 2) and reduced rates for certain low‑income/elderly projects are in § 17.34.020(D).

C‑1 / C‑2 / Commercial Districts

Purpose/typical uses: neighborhood and general commercial retail/service uses.
Parking rules: The commercial/retail parking schedule is in § 17.34.020 (see the chapter’s schedule for individual commercial uses); off‑street lot layout, lighting, landscaping and handicapped space rules apply in § 17.34.030 and related subsections. Handicapped parking minimums and sizing are described in § 17.34.030(F).

M (Industrial)

Purpose/typical uses: manufacturing, storage, wholesale.
Parking and loading: industrial uses that receive/distribute goods must provide off‑street loading when gross floor area exceeds 10,000 sq ft per § 17.34.040. Parking counts for specific industrial uses are in the Chapter 17.34 schedule where applicable.

C‑MU (Corridor Mixed‑Use District)

Purpose/typical uses: denser mixed‑use development along corridors; objective design standards apply.
Parking rules: New construction in C‑MU must follow Chapter 17.34 unless state law supersedes; applications seeking state‑law parking reductions must include an analysis showing qualification for the reduction per § 17.58.090.

BART Station Area Combining District

Purpose/typical uses: implement the BART Station Area Specific Plan (transit‑oriented, pedestrian focus).
Parking rules: Projects in the BART combining district are explicitly told to conform to Chapter 17.34 for parking standards per § 17.29.070; the combining district otherwise encourages transit‑oriented development, which may influence design review and allowable reductions.

Sullivan Corridor Specific Plan

Purpose/typical uses: special plan area along the Sullivan corridor.
Parking rules: The Sullivan corridor chapter states “Parking standards in this district shall conform to Chapter 17.34” (no different ratios in the retrieved snippets) § 17.21.070.

If you need a parcel‑specific determination (for example, whether a property’s land use maps or overlays change parking obligations), verify with the jurisdiction: Verify with the jurisdiction.

Key numeric standards (decision‑relevant)

Requirement / Use	Required parking or dimension	Code Reference
Single‑dwelling (small houses)	2 spaces for ≤1,500 sf; increases to 3, 4, or 6 as dwelling size increases per table	§ 17.34.020(A)
Duplex	2 spaces per unit (4 total)	§ 17.34.020(B)
Multiple‑dwelling (apartments)	Studio = 1; 1‑bed = 1.5; 2‑bed+ = 2 per unit; reductions for certain low‑income/elderly projects	§ 17.34.020(D)
Off‑street loading	1 loading space required where gross floor area > 10,000 sq ft for hotels/retail/manufacturing/etc.	§ 17.34.040
Standard parking stall	8.5 ft × 19 ft (full size); small‑car spaces min 8.5 ft × 16 ft; end/adjacent walls increase widths	§ 17.34.030(A) and table
Parallel parking (regular)	min 8.5 ft × 24 ft; aisles 10 ft min	§ 17.34.030(B)
Garage door openings (single/double)	Single‑car door min 8 ft; double‑car door min 14 ft	§ 17.34.030(H)(1)
Driveway/garage depth counting toward required parking	19 ft from back of sidewalk to garage face counts; tandem allowed up to 3 spaces per § 17.34.020(A) and § 17.34.030(H)	§§ 17.34.020(A), 17.34.030(H)
Front yard hardscape minimum landscape	On parcels >25 ft wide, retain ≥25% of front yard as landscape when converting yard to hardscape	§ 17.34.050(A)(1)

Design + operational standards you must meet

Parking lots and spaces must be maintained and not used for material storage that displaces vehicles; that requirement appears repeatedly (see accessory dwelling unit registration and general maintenance) § 17.34.010 and ADU certificate text.
Outdoor parking lots of 11+ spaces require interior landscaping (min 2% interior area), lighting oriented away from residences, setback buffers next to residentially zoned properties, and plan review by the city planner and engineer § 17.34.030(G).
Required handicapped spaces and widths (12 ft for handicapped spaces, and at least one if over 10 spaces) are in § 17.34.030(F).
Entrances/exits and curb cuts must meet the curb‑cut/driveway standards and be minimized from intersections § 17.34.030(D).

Note: projects subject to design review or objective design standards must include location, number and dimensions of off‑street parking in submittals per § 17.45.060(A)(6) and the C‑MU objective standards referral § 17.58.110.

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

Use the Chapter 17.34 parking schedule to determine required spaces for the proposed use (calculate per § 17.34.020).
Dimension all required parking and garage spaces to the standards in § 17.34.030 (stall sizes, aisles, garage door openings).
Provide off‑street loading if applicable (floor area >10,000 sq ft) per § 17.34.040.
For outdoor lots, include lighting, interior landscaping, buffer to residences, and drainage in plans per § 17.34.030(G); include wheel stops/bumper guards where required.
If in C‑MU or other special districts, confirm whether state law parking reductions apply and include the required analysis if seeking a reduction § 17.58.090.
Include parking location, count and dimensions in design review/site plan submittal per § 17.45.060.
Ensure required garage/accessory dwelling unit parking is maintained and registered where ADU rules apply (see ADU certificate language referencing off‑street parking maintenance) § 17.40.x.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
State law parking reductions and ADU law	Chapter 17.34 repeatedly defers where state law supersedes (notably C‑MU) — state housing/ADU laws may change parking obligations.	Verify whether a proposed ADU or housing project qualifies for state‑law parking reductions; consult the planning division and California ADU law. Verify with the jurisdiction. § 17.58.090
Parcel‑specific exceptions / planned developments	Planned Development districts set their own parking standards in the precise plan; Chapter 17.34 may be modified by specific plans.	Check the parcel’s zoning map and any precise plan / redevelopment plan for different rules. Verify with the jurisdiction. § 17.19. (planned development rules)
ADU parking requirements vs. local registration conditions	The ordinance requires ADU registration and maintenance of off‑street parking but the code snippets do not show a numeric ADU parking exemption.	Review local ADU section and state ADU law to confirm whether parking can be waived. Not found in retrieved materials for numeric ADU exemptions — Verify with the jurisdiction.
Handicapped / accessible parking counts	The code specifies at least one accessible stall when retail/service >10 spaces and per unit if units are accessible, but site specifics may require additional ADA compliance (Title 24).	Confirm required number of accessible stalls with building code/ADA and with the planning or building division; Title 24 obligations are separate. § 17.34.030(F)
Front yard hardscape vs. curb‑cut allowances	Converting front yard to hardscape is allowed but subject to minimum landscape retention and encroachment permits if paving public right‑of‑way § 17.34.050.	If proposing front‑yard paving or new curb cut, get an encroachment permit from the engineering division and confirm utility box requirements. § 17.34.050

Plain‑English Summary

Daly City requires most new development to meet the off‑street parking counts in Chapter 17.34 (residential units have per‑unit rules, single‑family houses are sized‑based), demands minimum stall and garage dimensions, requires loading spaces for large commercial/industrial uses, and controls front‑yard paving and lot landscaping for parking lots; some special districts simply defer to Chapter 17.34, and state housing/ADU law can change how many spaces you must provide — verify with the planning division. §§ 17.34.020, 17.34.030, 17.34.040, 17.34.050.

Source References

Daly City Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 17.34 — Off‑Street Parking and Loading, including: § 17.34.010, § 17.34.020, § 17.34.030, § 17.34.040, § 17.34.050.
C‑MU District parking direction: § 17.58.090 (C‑MU defers to Chapter 17.34; state law can supersede).
BART Station Area Combining District: parking conformance to Chapter 17.34 § 17.29.070.
Design review/site plan submittal requirements (include parking plans): § 17.45.060(A)(6) and related design review rules.
ADU registration and parking maintenance references appear in the ADU/certificate text (parts of § 17.40 as shown in the retrieved materials).

If you’d like, I can pull and format the actual numeric rows from the full parking schedule (complete commercial/industrial use list) into a permitting checklist for a specific property address — provide the parcel address or APN and I’ll prepare a parcel‑level check (Verify with the jurisdiction).

Sources

Retrieved passages

Daly City Zoning Code (chapter shall) High relevance
Daly City Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance
Daly City Zoning Code (Section 1.12.010) Medium relevance
Daly City Zoning Code (§ 6) Medium relevance
Daly City Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
Daly City Zoning Code (section by) Medium relevance
Daly City Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
Daly City Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Daly City code library

Frequently asked questions

What are Daly City’s required parking spaces for a new single‑family house?

Daly City requires parking for single‑family homes based on finished habitable square footage: at least two spaces for houses up to 1,500 sf, rising to three, four or six spaces as the house increases in size per the schedule in § 17.34.020(A). Driveway depth and garage configuration rules that let driveway areas count toward required spaces are in § 17.34.030(H).

How wide and long must a parking stall be in Daly City?

A full‑size parking stall must be at least 8.5 ft × 19 ft; permitted small‑car stalls are smaller (e.g., 8.5 ft × 16 ft), and parallel/other configurations have other dimensional minimums and aisle widths found in § 17.34.030(A)–(B).

Do I need an off‑street loading space for a store or warehouse?

Yes — any hotel, laundry/dry cleaner, retail/wholesale, manufacturing or similar use with gross floor area over 10,000 sq ft must provide and maintain one off‑street loading space as specified in § 17.34.040.

Can I convert my front yard to driveway/hardscape to create parking?

Front‑yard hardscape for single dwellings/duplexes is allowed but on parcels wider than 25 ft you must retain at least 25% of the front yard as landscaping; paving the public right‑of‑way requires an encroachment permit. See § 17.34.050(A) for the limitations and required treatments.

Does Daly City require accessible (handicapped) parking spaces in small retail lots?

Retail/service developments providing more than 10 off‑street parking spaces must furnish at least one clearly marked handicapped parking space; residential developments with units designed for disabled persons must provide one handicapped space per such unit. Handicapped spaces must meet the width standards in § 17.34.030(F). Check Title 24/ADA for additional building code standards.

If my project is in the C‑MU district, do I use a different parking table?

No—new construction in C‑MU generally must comply with Chapter 17.34, but § 17.58.090 explicitly allows state law to supersede Chapter 17.34 (for example, state parking reductions for housing projects). If you seek a state‑law parking reduction, include the qualifying analysis with your application.

Are tandem parking and driveway counts allowed to meet required spaces?

Yes. The code allows up to three required residential parking spaces to be provided in tandem (see § 17.34.020(A)) and provides rules for when driveway depth (19 ft from back of sidewalk) can count toward required spaces in § 17.34.030(H).

Where do I show parking on my design review or site plan submittal?

Design review/site plan requirements explicitly require the location, number and dimensions of off‑street parking on the site plan and related drawings per § 17.45.060(A)(6); the planning division will also review landscaping, drainage and lighting for parking areas.

Does the Daly City code say anything about EV charging or bicycle parking?

The retrieved Daly City zoning excerpts used here do not show explicit local EV charging or bicycle‑parking ratios; bicycle parking and green building items are often addressed in state codes (for example in the California Green Building Standards) or in other municipal chapters. Not found in retrieved materials — Verify with the jurisdiction.

If my building is over 10,000 sf and in the BART combining district, which rules apply for parking and loading?

Both: the BART Station Area combining district requires that parking standards conform to Chapter 17.34 (so use § 17.34.040 for loading thresholds) and consider the BART Specific Plan policies for transit‑oriented design. § 17.29.070 points projects back to Chapter 17.34.

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