FILE · LANDSCAPING x DALY CITY x CALIFORNIAPermit StackSpecs LedgerCostTimelineChecklistViolationsFAQ
LANDSCAPING x DALY CITY x CALIFORNIA

Landscaping contractors in Daly City, California.

Landscaping contractors operating in Daly City must navigate both state-level licensing requirements and local municipal regulations. The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) governs the C-27 license, which is mandatory for any project exceeding $500. Compliance with state law also necessitates maintaining a $25,000 contractor bond and appropriate insurance coverage.

At the local level, Daly City mandates a business license for all contractors working within city limits. Projects involving structural elements like retaining walls, major irrigation systems, or significant grading require specific building permits. Contractors are encouraged to consult the Daly City Building and Planning Divisions before commencing work to ensure all site-specific zoning and safety codes are met.

State License
STATE C-27CSLB
Permit Issuer
Daly CityBuilding Division
Avg. Plan Review
2-4 WeeksVaries by scope
Typical Start-Up
RANGE $1,500+Fees & Bonds
FILE · LANDSCAPING x DALY CITY x CALIFORNIA
Compliance Dossier
Public
File
05 / 2026
State AuthorityCSLB
CountySan Mateo
City AuthorityDaly City Finance/Building
Statute / CodeCA B&P Code / Daly City Municipal Code
Federal Cert.EPA WaterSense (Recommended)
ReciprocityNone
FILE LANDSCAPINGLOCATION DALY CITY, CALIFORNIATYPE COMPLIANCE GUIDE
VERIFIED 05 / 2026STATUS PUBLIC REFERENCE
What's specific to Daly CityWhat this leaf carries beyond the California state file.
Fog Belt Considerations
Daly City's coastal climate requires specific plant selection and drainage solutions to prevent erosion.
Steep Slope Regulations
Due to hilly topography, grading and retaining wall permits are strictly enforced to prevent landslides.
Water Conservation
Compliance with state-mandated Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) is strictly monitored.
§ 01 · Permit Stack

Three layers govern Landscaping work in Daly City.

Compliance must be maintained at all three levels simultaneously.

State — Floor
CSLB
C-27 LicenseContractor Bond
County — Overlay
San Mateo County
Stormwater ManagementWaste Diversion
City — Where you file
Daly City
Business LicenseBuilding Permits

Read it bottom-up.

Compliance must be maintained at all three levels simultaneously.

This file exists to show what changes when the trade is Landscaping and the jurisdiction is Daly City, California.

Source · State, county, and city issuing authoritiesLast verified · 05 / 2026
§ 02 · Specs Ledger

Every requirement, with a number on it.

Each row names the issuing authority, cost, timeline, citation, and status behind the requirement.

RequirementIssued byCostTimeCitationStatus
C-27 LandscapingRequired for jobs > $500
CSLB
Verify with CSLB
3-6 months
B&P 7028
REQUIRED
General LiabilityMinimum $1M
Private Carrier
Market rate
Immediate
CSLB Requirement
REQUIRED
Contractor Bond$25,000
Surety
Verify with Surety
1 week
B&P 7071.6
REQUIRED
Building PermitFor retaining walls/hardscape
Daly City
Verify with City
2-4 weeks
Daly City Municipal Code
REQUIRED
Business LicenseCity-wide
Daly City
Verify with City
1 week
Daly City Municipal Code
REQUIRED
Workers' CompIf employees present
State Fund/Private
Verify with Carrier
Immediate
Labor Code 3700
REQUIRED
§ 03 · Year-One Cost

What it costs to start Landscaping in Daly City.

A practical floor for Daly City, California. Verify each amount with the issuing authority.

Year-one ledger
Daly City, California · Landscaping
CSLB Application FeeInitial feeVerify with CSLB
Contractor BondAnnual premiumVerify with Surety
Daly City Business LicenseAnnual feeVerify with City
Building Permit FeePer projectBased on valuation
Workers' CompAnnual premiumMarket rate
General LiabilityAnnual premiumMarket rate
Year-one floorVariable
Excludes tools, vehicle purchase, payroll, and marketing.
Note
Permit Valuation

Permit costs are calculated based on the total valuation of the project.

Note
Business License

Fees are often tiered based on annual gross receipts within the city.

Note
Surety Costs

Bond premiums depend on the contractor's credit history.

§ 04 · Path to First Job

From day zero to first inspection.

A practical path for Landscaping contractors in Daly City.

1
Day 0
Business Registration
Daly City
2
Day 15
CSLB License Processing
CSLB
3
Day 30
Bond & Insurance Procurement
Private
4
Day 45
Project Planning & Design
Owner/Contractor
5
Day 60
Permit Application Submission
Daly City
6
Day 90
Final Inspection & Closeout
Daly City
§ 05 · Compliance Checklist

Check them off.

Each item names the issuing authority, cycle, and citation.

01
Verify License Status
Check CSLB portal for active status.
CSLBSafetyB&P 7028
ContractorIssuing authority
02
Site Survey
Identify utility lines before digging.
Safety811Gov Code 4216
ContractorIssuing authority
03
Permit Display
Post permit in a visible location.
Daly CityComplianceBuilding Code
ContractorIssuing authority
04
Waste Management
Ensure debris is disposed of legally.
EnvironmentCountySan Mateo Ordinance
ContractorIssuing authority
05
Safety Equipment
Provide PPE for all workers.
Cal/OSHASafetyTitle 8 CCR
ContractorIssuing authority
06
Final Inspection
Schedule inspection upon completion.
Daly CityPermitBuilding Code
ContractorIssuing authority
§ 06 · Local Enforcement Data

Violations cited most in Daly City.

When confirmed local data is unavailable, this section stays marked for verification.

Commonly cited
Verify with agency

Unpermitted Hardscaping

Constructing retaining walls or patios without a permit.

PenaltyStop Work Order/Fines
Commonly cited
Verify with agency

Unlicensed Contracting

Performing work over $500 without a C-27 license.

PenaltyCivil/Criminal penalties
Commonly cited
Verify with agency

Improper Drainage

Failure to manage runoff per city standards.

PenaltyCorrection notice
§ 07 · Daly City-specific FAQ

Questions Landscaping contractors ask about Daly City.

Q01Do I need a license for small landscaping jobs?+
Yes, if the total cost of labor and materials is $500 or more, you must be licensed by the CSLB.
LicensingCSLBSource · California Business and Professions Code Section 7028
Q02Does Daly City require a local business license?+
Yes, all contractors performing work within city limits must obtain a Daly City Business License.
Business LicenseDaly CitySource · Daly City Municipal Code Title 5
Q03Are retaining walls permitted in Daly City?+
Retaining walls over 3 feet in height require a building permit and structural engineering review.
PermitsHardscapingSource · Daly City Building Division
Q04Is a landscape contractor bond mandatory?+
Yes, the CSLB requires a $25,000 contractor bond to maintain an active license.
BondingCSLBSource · California Business and Professions Code Section 7071.6
Q05How do I handle backflow prevention devices?+
Installation of backflow prevention devices requires a plumbing permit and inspection by the city.
PlumbingPermitsSource · Daly City Municipal Code
Q06Where can I find local zoning restrictions?+
Zoning and setback requirements are available through the Daly City Planning Division.
ZoningPlanningSource · Daly City Planning Division
§ 08 · Related

Adjacent files.

These are the documents Iris tracks for you.

Store licenses, permits, policies, and renewal dates in one place.