Landscaping Rules in National City, CA (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for National City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
In National City, trees in public street parkways are pruned by city forces or city subcontractors, not by private property owners. Anyone who wants to trim, prune or cut a city tree needs written permission from the city engineer first, and topping is prohibited. Owners still maintain the parkway area and answer for private trees that threaten the street.
National City Tree Trimming Rules for Parkway Trees
Significant RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 13.18.110
A.Trees located within public street parkways will be pruned by city forces, or city subcontractors, and not by private property owners. ... C.Any person who wishes to plant, cut down, trim, prune, remove, or in any way interfere with the natural growth of any city tree planted within any parkway, city street rights-of-way, or on other city property, must receive written permission from the cit...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In National City, no person can remove a city tree without first submitting a written tree removal request to the city engineer or designee and receiving written approval. A removed tree has its stump removed to a depth at least sixteen inches below the adjacent ground level, and one replacement tree is planted when the city engineer finds it appropriate.
National City Tree Removal Approval Rules
Significant RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 13.18.140
A.No person shall remove any city tree without submitting a written tree removal request to the city engineer, or designee, and receiving written approval for such removal from the city engineer, or designee. ... B.Any city tree removed shall have its stump removed to a depth at least sixteen inches below the adjacent ground level, or as determined by the city engineer, or designee. If appropri...
Weed Ordinances
In National City, all weeds growing on streets, sidewalks or private property are declared a public nuisance under Section 9.12.020. The chapter prints no height limit in inches or feet. It lists weed categories instead, including dry grass and brush that create a fire hazard in single and multiple residence zones, and the fire chief starts abatement.
National City Weed Nuisance and Abatement Rules
Some RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code §§ 9.12.020 and 9.12.040
All weeds growing or located upon streets, sidewalks or private property are declared to be a public nuisance. For purposes of this chapter, "weeds" shall include the following: A.Weeds which bear seeds of a downy or wingy nature;B.Sagebrush, chaparral, and any other brush or weeds which attain such large growth as to become, when dry, a fire menace to adjacent improved property;C.Weeds which a...
Water Restrictions
In National City, the irrigation schedule required for covered landscape projects provides that overhead irrigation runs between four p.m. and nine a.m., unless weather conditions prevent it. Section 18.44.190 of the Land Use Code also caps each project at its maximum applied water allowance and bars any person from irrigating in a way that sends runoff or overspray onto neighboring property or pavement.
National City Irrigation Time Window and Runoff Rules
Some RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 18.44.190
3.Overhead irrigation will be scheduled between four p.m. and nine a.m., unless weather conditions prevent it. Operation of the irrigation system outside the normal watering window is allowed for auditing and system maintenance. ... K.Maximum Applied Water Use.1.A landscape project subject to this section shall not exceed the MAWA. ... T.Waste Water Prevention. No person shall use water for irr...
Composting
National City regulates compost piles, pits, bins and heaps by odor alone. Under Section 7.08.050 it is a violation to operate, maintain or permit one that produces odor exceeding the odor threshold on the residential property of any other person. The Property Conservation Code sets no size or bin design standard.
National City Compost Pile and Bin Odor Rule
Light RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 7.08.050
It is a violation to operate, maintain or permit any horticultural, agricultural or botanic "compost pile, pit, bin or heap" that in any way produces odor that exceeds the odor threshold (for definition of "odor threshold" see Section 7.10.010E) upon the residential property of any other person.
Looking for San Diego County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement National City city rules.
Landscaping Rules in San Diego County →