zoneoptics
Ordinance chapter · National City, California

Chapter 18.20 - ZONING MAP

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Chapter 18.20 - Zones, Zoning Map, and Prohibited Land Uses#

18.20.010 - Purpose#

This section identifies the zones that apply to property within the city and adopts the city's zoning map. National City is organized into zones that implement the General Plan, which are identified on the zoning map.

(Ord. No. 2024-2529, 4-2-2024)

18.20.020 - Zones and zoning map#

A. Official Zoning Map. The official zoning map of the city is a zoning regulation within the context of and adopted pursuant to this title.

B. Zone Boundaries—Determination in Cases of Uncertainty. The location of zone boundaries may be determined by the rules for interpretation pursuant to this title.

C. Zone Boundary Changes—Procedure. Changes in the boundaries of the zones shall be made by ordinance adopting an amended official zoning map.

D. Pre-Zoning of Unincorporated Lands.

  1. Areas outside of city limits, but within National City's sphere of influence are unincorporated lands and governed by the County of San Diego until such time as those areas are annexed into the city. These areas have been pre-zoned with city zones to identify the regulations that would apply once the land is annexed into the city.

  2. Pre-zone changes may be initiated and heard, in the manner provided for zone changes in this title, prior to the effective date of annexation to be effective upon annexation.

E. Effect of Specific Plans. Lands within an adopted specific plan are governed by the zoning regulations of that specific plan. If the requirements of any specific plan are either more restrictive or less restrictive than the zoning regulations of this title, the requirements of the specific plan shall take precedence. If the specific plan is silent with regard to a development standard that is addressed within the provisions of this title, the provisions of this title shall apply. Specific plans referred to in this title shall be adopted in compliance with the procedural requirements of the California Government Code.

F. Zone Classifications Established. The following zone classifications are established and applied to the city as shown on the official zoning map.

TABLE 18.20.020 - Zone Classifications#

Zone Classification Symbol Zone Classification General Plan Land Use Designation
Residential
RS-1¹ Large Lot Residential Very Low Density Residential
RS-2¹ Small Lot Residential Low Density Residential
RS-3¹ Medium-Low Density Multi-Unit Residential Medium Density Residential
RS-4¹ Residential Single-Family Specific Plan (Westside)
RM-1¹ Medium Density Multi-Unit Residential Medium Density Residential
RM-2¹ High Density Multi-Unit Residential High Density Residential
RM-3¹ Very High Density Multi-Unit Residential Very High Density Residential
Commercial
CA Commercial Automotive Commercial and Services
CL Limited Commercial Specific Plan (Westside)
CS Service Commercial Commercial and Services
CT Tourist Commercial Specific Plan (Harbor District Specific Plan Area)
Mixed-Use
MCR-1¹ Mixed Commercial-Residential Specific Plan (Westside)
MCR-2¹ Mixed Commercial-Residential (Smart Growth Area) Specific Plan (Westside)
MXC-1¹ Minor Mixed Use Corridor Medium Mixed Use
MXC-2¹ Major Mixed Use Corridor High Mixed Use
MXD-1¹ Minor Mixed Use District Medium Mixed Use
MXD-2¹ Major Mixed Use District High Mixed Use
MXT¹ Mixed-Use Transition Lower Mixed-Use
Industrial
IL Light Industrial Light Industrial
IM Medium Industrial Industrial
IH Heavy Industrial Industrial
Institutional
I Institutional Institutional
Open Space
OS Open Space Open Space
OSR Open Space Reserve
Military
M Military Military Reservation
San Diego Unified Port District
UPD Port Master Plan San Diego Unified Port District
Specific Plan
SP¹ Specific Plan Specific Plan

¹ ADUs and JADUs permitted subject to Sections 18.30.380 and 18.30.390§

(Ord. No. 2024-2529, 4-2-2024)

18.20.030 - Prohibited land uses#

Land uses not specifically allowed in a zone are prohibited in that zone; in addition, the following are specifically prohibited.

A. In all zones, no structure of a temporary nature shall be used as a residence, neither temporarily nor permanently, including:

  1. Boats (except in marinas).
  2. Camper shells (except in recreational vehicle parks).
  3. Mobile homes (except in mobilehome parks).
  4. Recreational vehicles (except in recreational vehicle parks).
  5. Shacks.
  6. Sheds.
  7. Shipping containers.
  8. Storage units.
  9. Tarpaulins.
  10. Tents (except in recreational vehicle parks).
  11. Trailers (except in recreational vehicle parks).
  12. Buildings or structures of a temporary nature.

B. In all zones, the following shall not be used for temporary or permanent sleeping areas, with the exception of those that have been converted into an accessory dwelling unit as stipulated in Section 18.21.050:

  1. Attics.
  2. Basements.
  3. Cellars.
  4. Decks.
  5. Game rooms.
  6. Garages.
  7. Nonresidential buildings.
  8. Patios.
  9. Porches.
  10. Rooftops.

C. In all zones, outdoor storage is prohibited except as specifically allowed by the zone.

D. In all zones, outdoor storage or parking of the following is prohibited unless specifically allowed by the zone:

  1. Boats within any required front, side, exterior, or street setback.
  2. Camper shells within any required front, side, exterior, or street setback.
  3. Mobile homes (except in mobile home parks).
  4. Recreational vehicles within any required front, side, exterior, or street setback.
  5. Trailers within any required front, side, exterior, or street setback.

(Ord. No. 2024-2529, 4-2-2024)