Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 18 — ZONING›Division 2 — ZONING DISTRICTS AND ALLOWABLE LAND USES
National City Municipal Code Ch. 18.27 Open Space Zone
National City Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · National City
Cite as: National City Municipal Code Chapter 18.27 · Text as of 2026-10-04
18.27.010 - Purpose.¶
The purpose of the open space (OS) zone is to provide for public and private improved and unimproved open space. Allowed land uses include urban agriculture and recreational areas such as parks, golf courses, athletic fields, playgrounds, community gardens and farms, recreational trails, nature and wildlife preserves, marshes and wetlands, water bodies, public utility areas, flood control channels, and other scenic and open space areas.
(Ord. No. 2024-2529, 4-2-2024)
18.27.020 - Allowed land uses and structures and permit requirements.¶
Table 18.27.020 identifies the uses of land allowed in the open space zone.
TABLE 18.27.020 Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements Open Space Zone
_____
| Land Use | Permit Required | Specific Use Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Animal husbandry | P | Section 8.32 |
| Caretaker's residence (accessory) | M | |
| Child day care center | P | Section 18.30.270 |
| Civic, fraternal, community, and cultural facilities | P | |
| Commercial recreation, indoor (accessory) | P | |
| Farmers' markets | C | |
| Government offices | P | |
| Maintenance buildings/ |
C | |
| Open space reserves | P | |
| Parking, structure/ |
P | |
| Parks (passive and active recreation) | P | |
| Public assembly | C | |
| Public safety facilities | P | |
| Public utilities, minor | P | |
| Public utilities, major | C | |
| Renewable energy infrastructure (accessory) | P | Section 18.30.210/18.30.300; California Building Code |
| Storage yards and buildings (accessory) | P | Section 18.30.160 |
| Telecommunication facilities, commercial | C | Section 18.30.220 |
| Urban agriculture | P | Section 18.30.240 |
| P Permitted | P Permitted | P Permitted |
| C Conditional use permit | C Conditional use permit | C Conditional use permit |
| M Minor use permit (ministerial) | M Minor use permit (ministerial) | M Minor use permit (ministerial) |
| — Not permitted | — Not permitted | — Not permitted |
_____
(Ord. No. 2024-2529, 4-2-2024)
18.27.030 - General development standards.¶
The maximum FAR in the open space zone is 0.25 and the maximum height limit is thirty-five feet.
(Ord. No. 2024-2529, 4-2-2024)
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