National City, CA HOA Rules: CC&R Enforcement (2026)

Chapter 6.30 of the National City Municipal Code, adopted by the City Council with a history note dated 9-2-2025, sets the city's short-term rental rules in California's San Diego County. The last paragraph of the purpose section, 6.30.010, speaks directly to private restrictions. It says the chapter is not intended to give any owner of residential property the right or privilege to violate deed restrictions or private covenants, conditions and restrictions that prohibit use of the property as a Short-Term Rental.

In practice that draws a line between two separate layers. The city layer is the permit system: a business license under Chapter 6.04, a transient occupancy registration certificate under Chapter 4.32, and a Short-Term Rental permit under Chapter 6.30, all required by 6.30.060 before an owner rents or advertises. The private layer is the recorded covenant on the deed. A permit from the city answers only the first layer.

The chapter contains no procedure for the city to enforce a private covenant, and none for the city to decide a dispute between an owner and a homeowners association. What the city does enforce is its own chapter. A violation of Chapter 6.30 is handled under Chapter 1.44 administrative citations, and 6.30.090 declares any Short-Term Rental operating in violation of the chapter a public nuisance that can be abated or enjoined under Chapter 1.36.

Owners also carry the paperwork risk. Under 6.30.070, every owner on the deed signs the application and signs a statement that all information is true and correct, and 6.30.070.H makes any false statement a ground for denial or revocation. An owner who holds a permit but is bound by a covenant against short-term rental use therefore has a city permit and a private restriction that both remain in force.