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

Plumbing contractors in Daly City, California.

Plumbing contractors operating in Daly City, California, must navigate both state-level licensing and local municipal building requirements. The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) mandates a C-36 license for all plumbing work exceeding $500. Contractors must also register with the City of Daly City to obtain a business license before commencing any projects within city limits.

Permitting is managed by the Daly City Building Division. Before starting any plumbing installation, replacement, or significant repair, contractors must submit plans and obtain the necessary permits. Adherence to the California Plumbing Code is mandatory, and all work is subject to inspection by city officials to ensure safety and compliance with local ordinances.

State License
STATE C-36CSLB
Permit Issuer
Daly City Building DivisionCity Hall
Avg. Plan Review
5-10 DaysVaries by scope
Typical Start-Up
RANGE $500 - $2,500Fees & Insurance
FILE · PLUMBING x DALY CITY x CALIFORNIA
Compliance Dossier
Public
File
05 / 2026
State AuthorityContractors State License Board
CountySan Mateo
City AuthorityDaly City Building Division
Statute / CodeCalifornia Plumbing Code
Federal Cert.EPA Lead-Safe (if applicable)
ReciprocityNone
FILE PLUMBINGLOCATION DALY CITY, CALIFORNIATYPE COMPLIANCE GUIDE
VERIFIED 05 / 2026STATUS PUBLIC REFERENCE
What's specific to Daly CityWhat this leaf carries beyond the California state file.
Seismic Bracing
Daly City has strict requirements for water heater seismic strapping due to regional earthquake risks.
Water Conservation
Compliance with local water-efficient fixture mandates is strictly enforced during renovations.
Backflow Prevention
Commercial plumbing projects require specific backflow assembly testing verified by the city.
§ 01 · Permit Stack

Three layers govern Plumbing work in Daly City.

Always verify local amendments to the California Plumbing Code at the Daly City Building Division office.

State — Floor
CSLB
C-36 LicenseWorkers Comp
County — Overlay
San Mateo Environmental Health
Waste ManagementBackflow
City — Where you file
Daly City Building Division
Building PermitBusiness License

Read it bottom-up.

Always verify local amendments to the California Plumbing Code at the Daly City Building Division office.

This file exists to show what changes when the trade is Plumbing 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-36 Plumbing LicenseRequired for work >$500
CSLB
Verify with CSLB
3-6 months
B&P Code 7000
REQUIRED
Workers CompensationRequired if employees present
State Fund/Private
Verify with carrier
Immediate
Labor Code 3700
REQUIRED
Plumbing PermitRequired for most installations
Daly City
Verify with City
1-3 days
Daly City Municipal Code
REQUIRED
Contractor BondRequired for CSLB license
Surety
Verify with Surety
Immediate
B&P Code 7071.6
REQUIRED
Business LicenseRequired for city operations
Daly City
Verify with City
1-2 weeks
Daly City Municipal Code
REQUIRED
Lead-Safe CertificationRequired for pre-1978 homes
EPA
Verify with EPA
1 day
40 CFR 745
REQUIRED
§ 03 · Year-One Cost

What it costs to start Plumbing in Daly City.

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

Year-one ledger
Daly City, California · Plumbing
CSLB License FeeInitial applicationVerify with CSLB
Daly City Business LicenseAnnual feeVerify with City
Permit FeePer projectVerify with City
Surety BondAnnual premiumVerify with Surety
General Liability InsuranceAnnual premiumVerify with carrier
Plan Review FeeIf applicableVerify with City
Year-one floorVaries by project scale
Excludes tools, vehicle purchase, payroll, and marketing.
Note
Permit Valuation

Permit costs are typically calculated based on the total valuation of the plumbing work.

Note
License Renewals

CSLB licenses must be renewed every two years.

Note
Insurance Premiums

Insurance costs fluctuate based on company size and claims history.

§ 04 · Path to First Job

From day zero to first inspection.

A practical path for Plumbing contractors in Daly City.

1
Day 0
License Verification
CSLB
2
Day 5
Business Registration
Daly City
3
Day 10
Permit Application
Daly City
4
Day 15
Plan Review
Daly City
5
Day 20
Permit Issuance
Daly City
6
Day 30
Final Inspection
Daly City
§ 05 · Compliance Checklist

Check them off.

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

01
Verify License
Check CSLB portal for active status
CSLBPublicB&P Code 7000
ContractorIssuing authority
02
Pull Permit
Submit plans to Building Division
Daly CityPermitDaly City Code
ContractorIssuing authority
03
Insurance Check
Ensure liability coverage is current
InsuranceComplianceCSLB Rules
ContractorIssuing authority
04
Site Safety
Post permit at job site
SafetySiteBuilding Code
ContractorIssuing authority
05
Inspection Request
Call for rough-in inspection
InspectionCityBuilding Code
ContractorIssuing authority
06
Final Sign-off
Obtain final inspection approval
CloseoutPermitBuilding 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 Work

Performing plumbing installations without obtaining a city permit.

PenaltyStop work order and double fees
Commonly cited
Verify with agency

Improper Venting

Failure to vent plumbing fixtures according to the California Plumbing Code.

PenaltyCorrection notice
Commonly cited
Verify with agency

Missing Seismic Bracing

Water heaters installed without approved seismic strapping.

PenaltyCorrection notice
§ 07 · Daly City-specific FAQ

Questions Plumbing contractors ask about Daly City.

Q01Do I need a local business license in Daly City?+
Yes, all contractors performing work within city limits must obtain a business license from the Daly City Finance Department.
Business LicenseDaly CitySource · Daly City Municipal Code
Q02What code governs plumbing work in Daly City?+
Daly City enforces the California Plumbing Code (CPC) as adopted by the state and amended by local ordinances.
CPCBuilding CodeSource · California Building Standards Commission
Q03How do I schedule an inspection?+
Inspections can be scheduled through the Daly City Building Division online portal or by phone.
InspectionPermitSource · Daly City Building Division
Q04Is a permit required for water heater replacement?+
Yes, water heater replacement requires a plumbing permit to ensure proper venting and seismic bracing.
Water HeaterPermitSource · Daly City Building Division
Q05Are there specific San Mateo County requirements?+
While Daly City handles its own building permits, you must comply with county-wide environmental health regulations for septic or specialized waste systems.
San Mateo CountyEnvironmental HealthSource · San Mateo County Environmental Health
Q06Can I perform work without a CSLB license?+
No, state law requires a CSLB license for any plumbing project exceeding $500 in total labor and materials.
CSLBLicenseSource · California Business and Professions Code
§ 08 · Related

Adjacent files.

These are the documents Iris tracks for you.

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