Business Licensing & Operations in National City, CA (2026)
7 verified business licensing & operations rules for National City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
National City bars an adult-oriented business from opening within one thousand five hundred feet of another one, within one thousand five hundred feet of any school or public park, or within one thousand feet of residentially zoned property. Section 18.30.030 of the Land Use Code also sets sign, window and minor-access rules, and sexual encounter establishments need a conditional use permit.
National City Adult-Oriented Business Spacing Rules
Significant RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 18.30.030
C.Prohibitions.1.No person or entity shall own, establish, operate, control or enlarge or cause or permit the establishment, operation, enlargement or transfer of ownership or control, except pursuant to Section 18.30.030(F), of any of the following adult-oriented businesses if such adult-oriented business is or would be within one thousand five hundred feet of another adult-oriented business, ...
Massage Establishments
In National City, it is unlawful to operate a massage establishment without a police regulated permit under Chapters 10.79 and 10.70 of the Municipal Code. The permit is valid for one year to match the city business license dates, renewal must be made within thirty days before expiration, and every person giving massage for compensation needs a California Massage Therapy Council certification and a listing on the permit. Operating hours are 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
National City Massage Establishment Permit Requirements
Significant RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 10.79.040
A.It is unlawful for any person to operate a massage establishment in or upon any premises within the city without first obtaining the permit from the Department of Public Safety as required by this chapter and Chapter 10.70, except as exempted by Section 10.79.170.B.A massage establishment police regulated permit required by this chapter and Chapter 10.70 shall be valid for one year, coincidin...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Operating a tattoo parlor or mobile tattoo vehicle, or working as a tattoo artist, in National City without a permit is unlawful under Municipal Code § 9.54.020. The city adopts the San Diego County Code tattoo regulations, the county health officer enforces them, and the Land Use Code adds spacing rules and a Conditional Use Permit requirement.
National City Tattoo Parlor Permit and Location Rules
Significant RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 9.54.020
A.The city council adopts the provisions of Title 6, Division 6, Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 66.301) of the San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances, as now in effect or as may hereafter be amended, as the regulatory provisions applicable to tattoo artists, tattoo parlors and mobile tattoo vehicles within the city of National City. A copy of those provisions is on file in the offic...
Tobacco Retail License
In National City, no one can sell tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vapes, without a tobacco retailer's license for each location. The city caps licenses at fifty-four, bars new retailers within one thousand feet of youth-oriented facilities, other licensed retailers and cannabis retailers, and issues no license for a mobile business.
National City Tobacco Retailer License and Vape Shop Limits
Heavy RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code §§ 9.38.030 and 9.38.040
A.Tobacco retailer's license required. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in tobacco retailing in the City without first obtaining and maintaining a valid tobacco retailer's license for each location at which tobacco retailing is to occur. ... A.Mobile Vending. No license may be issued to authorize tobacco retailing at other than a fixed location. No tobacco retail license will be is...
Pawnbrokers
National City caps pawn shops at six citywide, keeps them two thousand feet apart and two hundred fifty feet from residential zones, and bars them east of Interstate 805. Section 18.30.320 of the Land Use Code also requires a police permit processed under Business and Professions Code Section 21641, and a secondhand dealer license at minimum.
National City Pawn Shop Permit and Location Rules
Significant RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 18.30.320
A.Restrictions.1.No pawn shops and businesses engaged in secondhand dealing and/or the purchase and selling of gold and other precious metals shall be located within two thousand feet of another such business. This shall not apply to shopping centers of fifty thousand square feet or more.2.Pawn shops and businesses engaged in secondhand dealing and/or the purchase and selling of gold and other ...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
In National City, washing or repairing a motor vehicle on residential property is unlawful unless an exception applies. A vehicle can be repaired only on residential property owned by or rented to the vehicle owner, and only in an enclosed garage, within the rear yard setback, or on a paved parking space or driveway (§ 7.20.130).
Vehicle Repair and Washing at Home in National City
Significant RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 7.20.130
A.Except as permitted in Section 7.20.130B or C, it is unlawful to wash or repair a motor vehicle upon property used for residential purposes within the city limits.B.A motor vehicle may be repaired upon residential property owned by or rented to that vehicle owner in an enclosed garage, within the rear yard setback or on a paved parking space or driveway of that property.C.Noncommercial motor ...
Towing Companies
In National City, only tow operators that the City Council selects and designates by resolution can remove vehicles from public streets in police emergency situations. Illegally parked, apparently abandoned, accident-involved and mechanically disabled vehicles fall under Chapter 11.56, and the vehicle owner can still name any towing service to move the car.
National City Police Tow Truck Selection Rules
Significant RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 11.56.030
The city council shall, from time to time, by resolution, adopt policies for the selection and designation of tow car or tow truck services which shall be permitted to engage in emergency police towing upon notification of the need for such services by the police department. Any and all tow car or tow truck operators not so selected and designated pursuant to the policy of the city council are ...
Looking for San Diego County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement National City city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in San Diego County →