National City, CA Short-Term Rentals: Host Platform Liability (2026)

Section 6.30.080.R of the National City Municipal Code governs advertising. It is unlawful for any person or entity to advertise a Short-Term Rental in the city without a valid and current permit issued by the city. Advertisements for a permitted property, including those posted on or by hosting platform sites, shall include the Short-Term Rental permit number provided by the city, the maximum number of occupants permitted to stay in the unit, and the maximum number of vehicles permitted to be parked at the Short-Term Rental. The rule reaches "any person or entity," not only the owner.

The code names platforms directly. Section 6.30.020 defines a "Broker" as any person, including on-line websites, on-line travel agencies, and on-line booking agents, that offers, lists, advertises, accepts reservations and/or collects whole or partial payment for a Short-Term Rental. Brokers appear on the permit application: under 6.30.070.A.2, the owner supplies the legal name, address and telephone number of every Broker for the unit.

Tax responsibility is placed on the platform. Under 6.30.070.G, Short-Term Rentals are subject to Chapter 4.32 on collection and remittance of Transient Occupancy Tax, and a Broker that collects any revenue from arranging or listing a Short-Term Rental location in the city has primary responsibility for collecting, paying and transmitting all TOT due to the city.

Owners keep their own exposure. Under 6.30.050.B, the owner is not relieved from personal liability for noncompliance, regardless of whether it was caused by the owner's Agent or the occupants or guests. Under 6.30.060, the owner or Agent must hold a business license, a transient occupancy registration certificate and a Short-Term Rental permit prior to renting or advertising. A delinquency in transient occupancy taxes owed to the city is a ground for denial or suspension under 6.30.100.B.5.