National City, CA Short-Term Rentals: Noise Rules (2026)

Three subsections of 6.30.080 of the National City Municipal Code cover noise at a Short-Term Rental. Subsection B bars the responsible person, meaning the Owner(s) and Agent(s) listed in the permit application, from causing, allowing or permitting a public nuisance, including unruly gatherings or raucous noise. "Raucous noise" includes yelling, screaming, shouting, or other disturbing noises, including noise violations identified in Title 12, which unreasonably interfere with the peace and quiet of nearby residents or members of the public. An "unruly gathering" includes gatherings that exceed the number permitted on the permit and disorderly conduct that disturbs the public peace. The responsible person must immediately abate any public nuisance. Subsection C separately prohibits any noise violation identified in Title 12, including from sound-making equipment or a sound-amplifying device.

Subsection AA sets quiet time from 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. It is a major violation if occupants use fire pits, barbecues, swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, tennis or paddleball courts or similar improvements or play equipment in those hours, engage in outdoor parties, outdoor singing, shouting, clapping or other activities associated with partying, or engage in outdoor drunk or disorderly conduct. Any other outdoor conduct that disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood is a minor violation. Merely being outdoors during quiet time is not a violation. The permittee must post quiet time signs acceptable to the Director of Community Development near all doors leading outside.

Response duties back this up. Under subsection X, once notified that occupants or guests have violated the chapter, the responsible person must prevent a recurrence and respond within one hour at the latest. The Local Contact Person defined in 6.30.020 must be reachable twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week, and able to respond physically within one hour. Under subsection Y, a good neighbor handout posted inside the unit covers restrictions on noise and amplified sound, and under subsection Z the permittee sends a Good Neighbor Letter within one week of permit issuance to owners and occupants on all sides and directly across the street.