National City · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in National City

National City sets its own fence rules, accessory-structure rules for the RS-4 zone and home-business rules. Home businesses may not have customers on the premises.

Ask about building on your lot in National City See coverage

Key points

Home businesses: City rule: residential home businesses need a home occupation permit and business license; no customers, displays or on-site sales.
Chain link fences: City rule: vinyl-coated, landscape-screened chain link fences are limited to 6 ft in residential side and rear yards.
Accessory structures: City rule: the Westside Specific Plan sets 3 ft and 6 ft limits for accessory structures in the RS-4 zone.

Each rule below is marked National City code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Fences and walls

National City code What National City's code adds
Front yard height	Posts no more than 4 feet, plus a light fixture up to 2 feet high. Applies: Only front yard fence posts with more than 2 attached lights (a special fence reviewed by the planning division). § 18.43.090 · code text In no event shall such posts exceed four feet in height plus a two-foot-high light fixture;
Side and rear yard height	No more than 6 feet. Applies: Vinyl-coated chain link fencing screened by landscaping, in residential side and rear yards. § 18.43.090 · code text Chain link fencing shall not exceed six feet in height in these areas.
Permit	Yes. Masonry walls need a building permit and must meet the California Building Code. § 18.49.080 · code text Masonry walls are allowed and shall conform to the requirements of the California Building Code and will require a building permit.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

National City code What National City's code adds
Side and rear setback	At least 3 feet from the side and rear lot lines. Applies: Accessory structures in the RS-4 zone of the Westside Specific Plan. § 18.42.030 · code text Accessory structures in the RS-4 zone shall maintain a three-foot setback from the side lot line and the rear lot line and a minimum of six feet between structures but shall not be located in the front yard setback required except as provided by this title.
Distance from the house	At least 6 feet between structures. Applies: Accessory structures in the RS-4 zone of the Westside Specific Plan. § 18.42.030 · code text Accessory structures in the RS-4 zone shall maintain a three-foot setback from the side lot line and the rear lot line and a minimum of six feet between structures but shall not be located in the front yard setback required except as provided by this title.

Running a business from home

National City code What National City's code adds
Customer visits	None. Sales and work that need a customer present must take place off the premises. § 18.12.090 · code text All sales of products and the performance of all service or work that requires the presence of a partner, employee, or customer shall take place off the premises;
Employees	Only the resident may work in the business on the premises. § 18.12.090 · code text No person other than the resident is engaged in the home occupation on the premises;
Permit	Yes. A home occupation permit is required first. Applies: Home businesses in residential zones. § 18.12.090 · code text Home occupations are permitted in residential zones as identified in Section 18.21.020 provided that they first receive a home occupation permit. A business license is required. Applies: Needed for home occupation permit approval. § 18.12.090 · code text A business license is procured.
Businesses not allowed	display of merchandise § 18.12.090 · code text There is no display of merchandise; selling stock in trade or commodities upon the premises § 18.12.090 · code text No stock in trade nor commodity is sold upon the premises; renting space to others in association with a home occupation § 18.12.090 · code text The resident shall not rent space to others in association with a home occupation;

RV and boat parking

National City code What National City's code adds
Front-yard parking	Only on paved areas or driveways designed for parking. Applies: Any vehicle, including an RV or boat trailer, in the front yard or exterior side yard setback of a home. § 7.20.140 · code text Except in paved areas or driveways specifically designed for parking, it is unlawful to park any vehicle, including a recreational vehicle or boat trailer, within the front yard or the exterior side yard setbacks of private residential property, or on the parkway or landscape area of the public right-of-way.
Where it may be parked	Only if owned by and registered to someone living in a legal home on the same parcel. Applies: RVs or boat trailers parked or stored on a residential parcel. § 7.20.140 · code text On a residential parcel unless that recreational vehicle or boat trailer is owned by and registered to an occupant of a legal dwelling unit on the same parcel; On any other parcel, only in a zoned and licensed RV storage yard or repair facility. Applies: RVs or boat trailers. § 7.20.140 · code text On any other parcel unless the parcel is zoned and licensed for use as a recreational vehicle storage yard or repair facility.
Size limit	No parking on a city street at any time without a temporary permit. Applies: RVs, boats and trailers over 20 ft long, 7 ft wide or 8 ft high; loading or unloading allowed up to 2 hours. § 11.32.366 · code text For the purpose of this section, "recreational vehicle" is any vehicle which exceeds twenty feet in length, seven feet in width or eight feet in height that shall include, but is not limited to the following:
Parking on the street	24 hours. Applies: Each temporary RV street parking permit; valid only on the same block or an adjacent street. § 11.32.366 · code text The permit shall be valid for no longer than twenty-four hours. Up to 3 permits at once, for no more than 72 consecutive hours. Applies: City residents or property owners; no more than 6 permits a month and 72 a year. § 11.32.366 · code text A city resident or city property owner may obtain no more than three permits at one time for a period of no longer than seventy-two consecutive hours. 3 days must pass before the next permit is issued. Applies: After an RV street parking permit expires. § 11.32.366 · code text There shall be three days between the expiration of a permit, or if a city resident or city property owner obtained two or three permits at one time the expiration of the second or third permit, and the issuance of another permit to the same city resident or city property owner.

Solar panels and EV chargers

National City code What National City's code adds
EV charger permit	The building official administratively approves and issues permits when the application is complete and meets health and safety rules. Applies: EV charging stations. Electronic submittal and electronic signatures are accepted. § 15.82.030 · code text An application that satisfies the requirements of the eligibility checklists, as determined by the building official, shall be deemed complete and eligible for the expedited permitting process.
Solar height and setbacks	No limit on the percentage of roof covered. § 18.30.300 · code text Solar collectors are permitted outright as an accessory use to any principal use subject to the following standards: Solar collectors are not considered as "reflective roofing materials" and there is no limit to the specific percentage of roof coverage. Up to 5 feet above the zone's height limit. Applies: Single-family photovoltaic solar systems, except in the coastal zone. § 18.30.300 · code text Single-family: Except within the coastal zone, photovoltaic solar energy systems may extend up to five feet above the height limit in the zoning district. Up to 7 feet above the zone's height limit. Applies: Single-family solar water or pool heating systems, except in the coastal zone. § 18.30.300 · code text Solar water or swimming pool heating systems may extend up to seven feet above the height limit in the zoning district; Up to 5 feet above the roof surface they sit on. Applies: Photovoltaic systems on properties other than single-family, except in the coastal zone. § 18.30.300 · code text Except within the coastal zone, photovoltaic solar energy systems may extend up to five feet above the roof surface on which they are installed, even if this exceeds the maximum height limit in the district in which it is located. Up to 7 feet above the roof surface they sit on. Applies: Solar water or pool heating on properties other than single-family, except in the coastal zone. § 18.30.300 · code text Solar water or swimming pool heating systems may extend up to seven feet above the roof surface on which they are installed even if this exceeds the maximum height limit in the district in which it is located. At least 3 feet from any property line. Applies: Solar equipment, other than collector panels, in required side and rear yards. § 18.30.300 · code text Excluding solar collector panels, solar energy system equipment may be installed within the required side and rear yard but shall not be closer than three feet to any property line. At most 6 feet high. Applies: Solar panels not on the roof of a main building, garage or accessory structure, on lots next to RS-1 and RS-2 zones. § 18.30.300 · code text Solar collector panels, not located on the rooftop of a primary structure, garage, or accessory structure on lots adjacent to RS-1 and RS-2 zones shall be limited to a maximum height of six feet.
Solar permit process	Administrative, nondiscretionary review; the building official issues all permits when a complete application meets the checklist; only 1 inspection. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar energy systems. § 15.81.060 · code text The planning and building department shall implement an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite approval of small residential rooftop solar energy systems.

Swimming pools

National City code What National City's code adds
Pool barrier	The bottom of the barrier at most 2 inches above the ground. Applies: Outdoor pools, hot tubs and spas; measured to a hard surface such as concrete. § 15.22.045 · code text The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be 2 inches measured to a hard surface such as concrete. At most 4 inches between the top of the pool and the bottom of the barrier. Applies: A barrier mounted on top of an above-ground pool. § 15.22.045 · code text Where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, the maximum vertical clearance between the top of the pool structure and the bottom of the barrier shall be 4 inches. Openings must not let a 4-inch-diameter sphere pass through. Applies: Outdoor pools, hot tubs and spas. § 15.22.045 · code text Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a 4-inch diameter sphere. Decorative cutouts no wider than 2 inches. Applies: Barriers of horizontal and vertical members with horizontal tops less than 45 inches apart. § 15.22.045 · code text spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed 2 inches in width Vertical members no more than 4 inches apart. Applies: Barriers of horizontal and vertical members with horizontal tops less than 45 inches apart. § 15.22.045 · code text spacing between vertical members shall not exceed 4 inches. Chain link mesh no larger than a 1-3/4-inch square. Applies: Chain link pool barriers. § 15.22.045 · code text Maximum mesh size for chain link fences shall be a 1¾-inch square. Chain link wire not less than 11-1/2 gauge. Applies: Chain link pool barriers. § 15.22.045 · code text The wire shall be not less than 11½ gauge. A rigid cover with a permanent locking and latching device may be used instead of a barrier. Applies: Outdoor hot tubs and spas of 64 square feet or less. § 15.22.045 · code text Hot tubs and spas located outdoors and not exceeding 64 square feet may have rigid pool covers meeting American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard F1346-91 equipped with a permanent locking and latching device in lieu of a required barrier.
Barrier height	At least 60 inches above the ground. Applies: Outdoor pools, hot tubs and spas; measured on the side away from the pool. § 15.22.045 · code text The top of the barrier shall be at least 60 inches above grade measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool
Equipment and alarms	Door alarm: sounds continuously at least 30 seconds, starts within 7 seconds, at least 85 dBA at 10 feet indoors. Applies: Required for doors with direct pool access through a home wall that is part of the barrier. § 15.22.045 · code text The alarm shall sound continuously for a minimum of 30 seconds, within 7 seconds after the door and its screen, if present, are opened, and be capable of providing a sound pressure level of not less than 85 DBA when measured indoors at 10 feet.

Pets, chickens and bees

National City code Up to 4 hives, only on agricultural or research lots of at least 10,000 sq ft; not on home lots. Yes; up to 6 hens.

All 11 National City rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in National City?

City rule: vinyl-coated, landscape-screened chain link fences are limited to 6 ft in residential side and rear yards.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in National City?

City rule: the Westside Specific Plan sets 3 ft and 6 ft limits for accessory structures in the RS-4 zone.

Can I run a business from my home in National City?

City rule: residential home businesses need a home occupation permit and business license; no customers, displays or on-site sales.

Can I park an RV or boat at my home in National City?

National City's code: Only on paved areas or driveways designed for parking. (Any vehicle, including an RV or boat trailer, in the front yard or exterior side yard setback of a home.) (§ 7.20.140); Only if owned by and registered to someone living in a legal home on the same parcel. (RVs or boat trailers parked or stored on a residential parcel.) (§ 7.20.140).

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in National City?

National City's code: The building official administratively approves and issues permits when the application is complete and meets health and safety rules. (EV charging stations. Electronic submittal and electronic signatures are accepted.) (§ 15.82.030); No limit on the percentage of roof covered. (§ 18.30.300).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in National City?

National City's code: The bottom of the barrier at most 2 inches above the ground. (Outdoor pools, hot tubs and spas; measured to a hard surface such as concrete.) (§ 15.22.045); At most 4 inches between the top of the pool and the bottom of the barrier. (A barrier mounted on top of an above-ground pool.) (§ 15.22.045).

General information, not legal advice.

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