Building Setbacks & Zoning in National City, CA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for National City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
In National City, Table 18.21.040 of the Land Use Code sets residential setbacks by zone. Primary structures need a 20 foot front setback in RS-1 and RS-2, 15 feet in RS-3 and RM-1, and 10 feet in RM-2 and RM-3, with rear setbacks running from 25 feet in RS-1 and RS-2 down to 5 feet in the RM zones.
National City Residential Yard Setbacks by Zone
Some RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 18.21.040
Development Requirement By Zoning District RS-1 RS-2 RS-3 RS-4 RM-1 RM-2 RM-3 Minimum setbacks, Primary structure Front 20' 20' 15' 10'/15(a) 15' 10' 10' Side—Interior 5' 5' 5' 3/0(b) 5' 5' 5' Side—Exterior 10' 10' 5' 10'(a) 5' 5' 10' Rear 25' 25' 10' 15' 5' 5' 5' 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...
Structure Height Limits
In National City, Table 18.21.040 caps primary structure height at 35 feet in RS-1, RS-2, RS-3 and RS-4, then 45 feet in RM-1, 65 feet in RM-2 and 95 feet in RM-3. Stories are limited to 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 6 and 9 in the same zone order.
National City Residential Building Height Limits
Some RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 18.21.040
Development Requirement By Zoning District RS-1 RS-2 RS-3 RS-4 RM-1 RM-2 RM-3 ... Maximum height, primary structure 35' 35' 35' 35' 45' 65' 95' Maximum stories, primary structure 2 2 3 3 4 6 9 Maximum height, accessory structure 35' 35' 35' 35' 45' 65' 95' Shall not exceed the number of stories or height of the primary structure. Shall not exceed the allowed maximum height of accessory structur...
Lot Coverage Limits
In National City, Table 18.21.040 of the Land Use Code caps maximum lot coverage at 75% in RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, RM-1, RM-2 and RM-3. RS-4 prints N/A. Accessory structures in RS-1, RS-2 and RS-3 are also limited to 10% of lot size in total.
National City Residential Lot Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 18.21.040
Development Requirement By Zoning District RS-1 RS-2 RS-3 RS-4 RM-1 RM-2 RM-3 ... Minimum ... lot area 10,000 SF 5,000 SF 5,000 SF 2,500 SF 5,000 SF 5,000 SF 5,000 SF ... Maximum lot coverage 75% 75% 75% N/A 75% 75% 75% ... Maximum ... area (total), accessory structures—Excluding up to 400 SF of covered parking and area dedicated to an ADU 10% of lot size (d) 10% of lot size (d) 10% of lot size...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement National City city rules.
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