ADU Design Resource · Daly City, CA
The Complete Guide to
Building an ADU in Daly City, CA
Everything Daly City homeowners need to plan, permit, and profit from an ADU — including current 2026 zoning rules, real construction costs, neighborhood ROI data, and verified local lenders.
Created by Build With A Plan · Drawings from $997 (more below)
Quick Answers About Daly City, CA ADUs
Market Context
Daly City has a median home value of $960,000. Adding an ADU typically increases that by 30% — approximately $288,000 in added equity. A 1-bedroom ADU in Daly City rents for approximately $2,627/month in the San Mateo County rental market , yielding a 4.5% cap rate on the investment. Occupancy averages 96% in this market.
Top Daly City neighborhoods for ADU investment include Westlake, Coastal, St. Francis Heights, Southern Hills, Bayshore. Known for relatively larger lot sizes compared to other Daly City neighborhoods, offering more space for detached ADUs. High median home value suggests a desirable area with strong rental demand due to coastal proximity.
Permit Process
Permit applications are reviewed by the Building Division , with a plan check timeline of approximately 10 weeks. Permit fees in Daly City range from $19,613 to $34,351 depending on project scope. Design review: Yes - citywide
Daly City properties within the Coastal Overlay Zone require a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) in addition to standard building permits. CDPs add 2–6 months to the permit timeline and require compliance with both local ordinances and California Coastal Commission standards.
11 years in California residential permitting and ADU documentation. This guide was researched and verified against Daly City's building department records and current 2026 California ADU law.
Property Eligibility
Is My Daly City, CA Property Eligible for an ADU?
Daly City homeowners benefit from California's state ADU law — one of the most permissive frameworks in the country since 2020. Here's what applies to your property before you start designing.
Single-Family Home
Permitted on single-family lots in Daly City under California state law. No owner-occupancy requirement in Daly City — you can rent both units as investment properties. Ministerial permit approval — no neighbor input or discretionary design review.
Multi-Family Property
Up to 2 detached ADUs plus JADUs (Junior ADUs) within the existing main structure are permitted under California state law. Especially valuable for duplexes and apartment buildings looking to add density.
HOA-Governed Properties
Approximately 5% of Daly City homes are in an HOA. California law (AB 670) prohibits HOAs from banning ADUs outright, but they can impose reasonable architectural standards. Our drawings include HOA submission formatting.
Coastal Zone Properties
Properties within Daly City's Coastal Overlay Zone require a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) in addition to standard building permits. This adds 2–6 months to the timeline. Our drawings flag coastal requirements and meet both local and Coastal Commission standards.
Always verify eligibility with Building Division before designing.
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Daly City ADU Return Calculator — Built With 2026 Local Data
Pre-loaded with verified Daly City construction costs, median rental rates, and property value uplift data. Adjust the inputs to model your specific project.
Your Project
Projected Returns
* Estimates only. Assumes ~85% occupancy, ~30% expense ratio, 30% property value uplift. Consult a financial advisor before investing.
Data sources: Daly City Development Services Department, Zillow Rental Market Reports, local appraiser records. Last verified: 2026-05-30.
Local Market Data
Top Daly City Neighborhoods for ADU Investment
Westlake
Known for relatively larger lot sizes compared to other Daly City neighborhoods, offering more space for detached ADUs.
Coastal
High median home value suggests a desirable area with strong rental demand due to coastal proximity.
St. Francis Heights
Features lot sizes up to 7,405 sq ft and excellent access to the Daly City BART station for commuters.
Southern Hills
High median home value indicates a desirable area with potential for strong rental demand and conducive lot sizes.
Bayshore
Premium location with strong rental potential due to its proximity to San Francisco job centers.
Crocker
A well-established neighborhood with consistent housing demand and potential for ADU rentals.
Hillside
Offers a good balance of affordability and desirability with a central location within the city.
Serramonte
More affordable entry point for homeowners with rental demand driven by nearby commercial centers.
Top of the Hill
Central location and proximity to transportation hubs suggest strong rental demand for ADUs.
Crown Colony
Lowest median home value listed, offering an affordable entry point for budget-conscious ADU development.
Daly City ADU Market at a Glance
Local Zoning Rules
Daly City ADU Zoning Regulations
| Regulation | Daly City Allowance |
|---|---|
| Max ADU Size | 1,200 sq ft |
| Max Height | 18 ft |
| Side Setback | 4 ft |
| Rear Setback | 4 ft |
| Owner Occupancy | Not required |
| Short-Term Rental | Restricted |
| Coastal Overlay | Yes — CDP may be required |
| Design Review | Yes - citywide |
| HOA Prevalence | 5% of properties |
Data verified recently. Always confirm with the Building Division before designing.
Daly City Permit Process
Daly City ADU Permit Timeline & Fees
Local Financing Resources
Local ADU Lenders in Daly City
These lenders offer HELOC, construction, and renovation loans for ADU projects in San Mateo County. Compare terms before committing.
ADU-specific HELOC program; typical credit line $10,000–$500,000, variable-rate, 22-year term disclosure available.
Visit Lender ↗Home equity loans and lines for renovations and ADUs; advertised sample HELOC rate shown around 6.75% APR (rates vary).
Visit Lender ↗Offers home equity loans and HELOCs usable for home renovations/ADUs; local SF credit union serving Daly City residents.
Visit Lender ↗Fintech that arranges ADU construction/renovation financing through partner credit unions and lenders operating in California.
Visit Lender ↗Provides construction loan products that can be applied to ADU construction projects (offers local CA construction lending).
Visit Lender ↗Build With A Plan is not affiliated with these lenders. Always compare rates and consult a mortgage professional.
Local Build Partners
Vetted ADU Contractors in Daly City
We draw the plans. These contractors build them. Independent — no referral fees paid or received.
Build With A Plan provides drawings only. We are not affiliated with these contractors and do not receive referral fees.
Next Steps
Ready to Move Forward With Your Daly City ADU?
You've evaluated your property's eligibility, run the numbers, and seen the market data. The next step is getting permit-ready architectural drawings to submit to Building Division.
Hire a Local Architect
$3,000 – $8,000
- ·4–8 weeks turnaround
- ·Fully custom design
- ·In-person consultations
- ·Direct line to architect
Best for: Highly customized projects, complex sites, or homeowners who want an ongoing designer relationship.
Build With A Plan
$997 – $1,997
- ✓10 business days turnaround
- ✓Permit-ready, CA-code compliant
- ✓Same documents your building dept needs
- ✓14-day money-back guarantee
Best for: Homeowners who want fast, affordable permit-ready drawings for a standard ADU build.
Both options produce permit-ready architectural drawings accepted by Building Division. The right choice depends on your timeline, budget, and how much customization your project requires.
Drawing Package Details
What's Included in Your Daly City ADU Package
Engineered for CA Permit Approvals
Transparent Pricing
Daly City ADU Drawing Costs — Compared
What homeowners typically pay for permit-ready ADU drawings in Daly City, by service type:
| Service Type | Price Range | Turnaround | Customization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Architect | $3,000 – $8,000 | 4–8 weeks | Fully custom |
| Build With A Plan · Starter | $997 | 10 days | Standard |
| Build With A Plan · Standard | $1,497 | 10 days | Standard |
| Build With A Plan · Premium | $1,997 | 7 days | Enhanced |
- ✓Site plan
- ✓Floor plans
- ✓All 4 elevations
- ✓Electrical plan
- ✓Title 24 energy form
- ✓PDF + DWG delivery
- ✓10 business day turnaround
- ✓Everything in Starter
- ✓Structural plans (stamped)
- ✓Cross-section details
- ✓Window & door schedules
- ✓Material specifications
- ✓1 round of revisions
- ✓Everything in Standard
- ✓3D rendering
- ✓Garage conversion alt plan
- ✓HOA submission package
- ✓Coastal Zone supplement
- ✓2 rounds of revisions
- ✓Priority 7-day turnaround
After You Order
Your Drawings in 3 Steps
Submit Your Project
Share your property address, lot dimensions, and ADU type. We'll confirm your order and assign your project coordinator.
We Draft Your Drawings
Our team designs your permit-ready drawing set — engineered for Daly City's building department requirements and CA code. Delivered in 10 business days.
Submit to Your City
Download your complete drawing package and submit directly to Building Division. We support corrections at no extra charge.
Real Projects · Verified Outcomes
ADU Projects Completed with Build With A Plan
Three real project outcomes from clients who used our permit-ready drawing sets across California.
"Permit approved on the first submittal. The drawings were exactly what the building department needed — no corrections at all."
"We converted our two-car garage in under 6 months. Drawings were ready in 10 days — faster than any local firm we contacted."
"The JADU drawings included everything the city required. Submitted day 11, approved six weeks later. Tenant moved in two months after that."
Client first names and last initials only. Build costs and permit timelines reflect actual project data at time of completion.
Building Code
Daly City Climate Zone & Energy Code
ADUs in California must comply with Title 24, Part 6; newly constructed detached ADUs are treated as newly constructed single-family buildings (and may require newly installed solar PV sized per Equation 150.1-C/Section 150.1(c)14), while attached ADUs/conversions are treated as additions/alterations and follow the corresponding Title 24 rules.
Compare Cities
Daly City vs. Nearby California Cities
Frequently Asked
Daly City ADU Questions
How much does it cost to build an ADU in Daly City? +
What is the maximum ADU size allowed in Daly City? +
How long does the ADU permit process take in Daly City? +
Do I need owner-occupancy to build an ADU in Daly City? +
What's the rental income potential for an ADU in Daly City? +
How much does it cost to get ADU drawings in Daly City? +
What drawings are included in the permit set? +
Can I convert my garage to an ADU in Daly City? +
Does Daly City have a coastal overlay for ADUs? +
What neighborhoods in Daly City are best for ADU investment? +
Is Daly City ADU-friendly? +
How much will an ADU increase my property value in Daly City? +
Can I use my Daly City ADU as a short-term rental (Airbnb / VRBO)? +
Does Daly City's seismic zone affect ADU construction requirements? +
Where do I submit ADU plans in Daly City? +
More Services in Daly City
Start Your Daly City ADU Today
Permit-ready drawings from $997. Delivered in 10 business days. Designed for Daly City's building department. 14-day money-back guarantee.
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