National City, CA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Section 6.30.080.D of the National City Municipal Code sets the overnight cap. The responsible person, meaning the Owner(s) and Agent(s) listed in the permit application, must limit overnight occupancy to a specific number of occupants not to exceed two persons per Bedroom or studio plus one additional person per dwelling unit.

The count depends on the code's own Bedroom definition in 6.30.020: a private room intended for or capable of being used for sleeping, separated from other rooms by a door, curtain or other entry way, with at least one window, a closet or cabinet storage space, and accessible to a bathroom without crossing into another Bedroom. Bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms and laundry areas are excluded, so a couch in the living room does not add capacity.

The number is fixed at the permit stage. The application under 6.30.070.A.4 lists the number of Bedrooms, and the permit then states the permitted occupancy. Three display rules keep the figure in front of guests. Under 6.30.080.R, every advertisement must include the maximum number of occupants permitted. Under subsection V, a display inside the main entry door shows the permit and the maximum number of overnight occupants. Under subsection W, a front-window display shows the number of Bedrooms and the maximum occupants. Under subsection G, the rental agreement must state the permitted occupancy.

Guests are limited by hours. Under 6.30.080.Q, the designated occupants may host guests between 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. daily. Exceeding the permitted number is also defined as a nuisance: subsection B counts an "unruly gathering" to include gatherings of occupants and guests that exceed the number permitted on the Short-Term Rental permit. Special events such as weddings, corporate events and commercial functions are prohibited by subsection O.

Vehicle counts are capped in parallel: subsection E limits vehicles to the number of parking spaces designated in the permit.