Daly City IBC Permits, Energy & Asbestos Guide

Housing and Building Standards California 4 Minutes Read · published March 01, 2026 Flag of California

Daly City, California property owners and contractors must follow state-adopted building codes plus local permit rules when planning construction, energy compliance work or asbestos-related demolition and renovation. This guide explains which offices enforce IBC-based permits, where to find the applicable municipal code and state energy standards, and how asbestos notifications interact with local permits. It summarizes typical permit flows, inspection triggers, enforcement routes, appeals and practical steps to start a compliant project in Daly City. Information is current as of March 2026 unless an official page lists a different update date.

What rules apply and who enforces them

The City of Daly City enforces adopted building and safety regulations and processes building permits through its Building Division; see the City permit and building pages for application steps and inspection scheduling City Building Division - Permits[1]. The city code contains local adoption language for building standards and enforcement processes; consulte the municipal code for ordinance text and penalties Daly City Municipal Code[2]. Energy compliance follows the California Building Standards (Title 24); the California Energy Commission publishes the standards and guidance used by Daly City inspectors for plan review and field enforcement Title 24 - CA Energy[3].

Always check the Building Division page for the latest forms and submission methods.

Permits: scope and typical triggers

  • New construction, additions and structural work require building permits and plan review.
  • Mechanical, electrical and plumbing work requires trade permits and licensed contractor registration as required by local rules.
  • Alterations affecting means of egress, fire-resistance, or structural elements trigger full building code compliance and inspections.
  • Demolition, renovation or material disturbance that may involve asbestos typically requires contractor notifications and risk assessment prior to permit issuance.
If asbestos may be present, stopping work and notifying your building official and appropriate asbestos regulator is critical.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement is carried out by the Building Division and related enforcement staff under authorities in the Daly City Municipal Code; the municipal code and department pages set procedures for notices, correction orders and civil penalties. Specific fine amounts and daily penalties are not specified on the cited municipal code overview pages and must be confirmed on the ordinance text or by contacting the Building Division directly.[2]

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited municipal code overview page; see ordinance sections for amounts and daily penalty language.[2]
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offences are handled via correction notices and escalating civil penalties where authorized by code; specific ranges are not specified on the cited overview page.[2]
  • Non-monetary remedies: stop-work orders, correction orders, permit suspension or revocation, lien placement and referral to court are available enforcement tools under the code.
  • Enforcer and complaints: report unsafe work or permit violations to the Daly City Building Division; use the official Building Division contact and complaint channels for inspection requests and enforcement inquiries. Building Division contact[1]
  • Appeals: appeals of building official decisions are typically handled by an appointed appeals body or as specified in the municipal code; time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited overview page and should be confirmed with the Building Division or municipal code text.[2]
Contact the Building Division promptly if you receive a stop-work or correction order to learn appeal deadlines.

Applications & Forms

  • Building permit application: name and number not specified on the general permit page; obtain the official application and submittal checklist from the Building Division website or permit counter.[1]
  • Fees: fee schedules are published by the City but specific fee amounts are not summarized on the cited overview pages; review the current fee schedule on the Building Division page or contact permit staff.[1]
  • Asbestos notifications and contractor licensing: required notifications and licensing rules are enforced through the Building Division and may reference state or regional asbestos regulations; check with the Building Division and relevant regulators for required forms.
If a form name or fee is not visible online, call the Building Division to request the current checklist and fee estimate.

How inspections and energy compliance work

Plan review and field inspections confirm compliance with the IBC and the California Title 24 energy standards adopted by the city. Energy compliance documentation (CF1/CF2 forms, performance or prescriptive compliance records) follows the Title 24 submittal practice and will be checked during plan review and at specific inspection points; consult the California Energy Commission materials for details on required compliance documents.[3]

FAQ

Do I need a permit to remove asbestos-containing materials?
No single citywide asbestos removal permit is listed on the general permit pages; asbestos work often requires contractor notifications to the relevant asbestos authority and building permits for demolition or renovation—confirm requirements with the Building Division and the regional asbestos regulator.
How long does a typical building permit take?
Plan review and approval times vary by project complexity and completeness; specific review timelines are not specified on the general pages and you should request a review time estimate from the Building Division when you submit plans.
Where do I file an appeal of a building official decision?
Appeal routes are set by municipal code and may require filing within a specified period; the code overview does not list explicit time limits, so contact the Building Division for the appeal procedure and deadlines.

How-To

  1. Confirm whether your project needs a permit by contacting the Daly City Building Division and reviewing the municipal code and permit checklists.[1]
  2. Prepare plans to Title 24 and IBC standards, including energy compliance forms, and submit with the official building permit application and required fees.[3]
  3. If asbestos work is possible, obtain asbestos testing and notifications required by the applicable regulator before demolition or disturbance and include abatement evidence with your permit application.
  4. Schedule and pass required inspections; respond promptly to correction notices to avoid escalated enforcement.
Start permit conversations early to reduce redesign and rework during plan review.

Key Takeaways

  • Permit necessity: most structural, mechanical and demolition works need permits and plan review.
  • Fees and fines: check the Building Division for current fee schedules; ordinance pages do not list specific fine amounts.
  • Get help early: contact the Building Division for forms, timelines and asbestos notification requirements.

Help and Support / Resources


  1. [1] City of Daly City - Building Division - Permits
  2. [2] Daly City Municipal Code - Code of Ordinances
  3. [3] California Energy Commission - Title 24 Building Standards