Accessory Structures in National City, CA (2026)
6 verified accessory structures rules for National City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
In National City, one accessory dwelling unit is allowed on any lot with a proposed or existing dwelling in a residential zone, and a lot with an existing multi-family building can add two detached units of up to 1,200 square feet and 16 feet in height each. Staff must act on the building permit within 60 days of a complete application.
National City Accessory Dwelling Unit Rules
Some RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 18.30.380
D.ADUs permitted.1.One ADU is permitted on a lot if all the following are met:a.The lot includes a proposed or existing dwelling.b.The lot is in a zone that allows for a residential use as indicated in Table 18.20.020.c.The proposed ADU is located where the city manager or his/her designee has not determined that public utilities or services are inadequate or the ADU will adversely impact traff...
ADU Impact Fees
In National City, an accessory dwelling unit with less than 750 square feet is exempt from any impact fees the city imposes. An ADU of 750 square feet or more pays impact fees in proportion to the square footage of the primary dwelling unit. The rule sits in Section 18.30.380(G)(7) of the Land Use Code.
National City ADU Impact Fee Exemption Under 750 Square Feet
Light RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 18.30.380
G.Limitations and other requirements. ... 7.Fees. ... An ADU with less than seven hundred and fifty square feet is exempt from any impact fees imposed by the city. For ADUs seven hundred and fifty square feet or more, impact fees shall be charged proportionately in relation to the square footage of the primary dwelling unit.
ADU Owner Occupancy
In National City, owner occupancy is not required for a standard accessory dwelling unit, but a junior ADU is different: the owner must live in the single-family residence, in either the main portion or the JADU. Governmental agencies, land trusts and housing organizations are exempt from that JADU rule.
National City ADU and JADU Owner Occupancy Rules
Light RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code §§ 18.30.380(G)(4), 18.30.390(G)(1)
4.Owner occupancy of the primary unit or ADU is not required. ... 18.30.390 - Junior Accessory Dwelling Units. ... G.Limitations and other requirements.1.The owner must occupy the single-family residence in which the JADU will be permitted. The owner may reside in either the remaining portion of the structure or the newly created JADU. Owner-occupancy shall not be required if the owner is anoth...
ADU Rental Restrictions
In National City, an accessory dwelling unit can be rented, but neither the ADU nor the primary dwelling can be rented for a term of less than 31 days. A recorded agreement with the City, signed before the building permit issues, locks in the 31-day minimum and the ban on selling the ADU separately.
National City ADU Rental Restrictions and 31-Day Minimum
Some RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 18.30.380
2.An ADU may serve as a rental unit or be occupied by family members, guests, or in-home health care providers and others at no cost.3.Neither the ADU nor the primary dwelling unit shall be rented for a term of less than thirty-one days. ADUs on multi-family properties shall be subject to this provision, except the restriction shall not apply to existing multi-family units. ... 8.Before a build...
Shed & Carport Rules
In National City residential zones, accessory structures such as sheds must sit 5 feet from interior side and rear lot lines in RS-1 through RS-3, cannot go in the front yard setback, and are capped at 10 percent of lot size in RS-1 to RS-3. No single accessory structure can exceed half the footprint of the primary structure.
National City Accessory Building and Shed Standards
Some RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 18.21.040
RS-1 RS-2 RS-3 RS-4 RM-1 RM-2 RM-3 ... Minimum setbacks, Accessory structure Front 20' 20' 15' 10/15'(c) 15' 10' 10' Side—Interior 5' 5' 5' 3' 5' 5' 5' Side—Corner 5' 5' 5' 10' 5' 5' 5' Rear 5' 5' 5' 3' 5' 5' 5' Detached building separation 5' 5' 5' 6' 5' 5' 5' ... Maximum height, accessory structure 35' 35' 35' 35' 45' 65' 95' ... Maximum area (total), accessory structures—Excluding up to 400 ...
Garage Conversions
In National City, a garage can be converted into an accessory dwelling unit without replacing the lost parking, and no setback is required for a converted existing structure. Section 18.30.380 also allows an ADU above a garage up to 25 feet high. The Land Use Code prints no separate rule for non-ADU garage conversions.
National City Garage Conversion to ADU Rules
Light RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 18.30.380
An ADU may be attached to, located within, or detached from an existing or proposed primary dwelling unit, including garages and habitable or non-habitable accessory structures.3.Parking. No additional parking is required for an ADU. If an ADU is constructed within existing garage or covered parking, then no replacement parking spaces may be required. ... c.No setback shall be required for an e...
Looking for San Diego County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement National City city rules.
Accessory Structures in San Diego County →