The Planning Division is responsible for reviewing land development proposals, ensuring compliance with the City's General Plan, Land Use Code, Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan (PDF), Local Coastal Program Implementation (PDF), State Subdivision Map Act, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and other applicable local and state regulations.

The Planning Division also provides staff support to the Planning Commission, and recommends and implements changes to the land use section of the Land Use Code.

Quick Links

• Zoning Map 2024 (PDF)
• Planning Department Fees 2024 (PDF)
• Citywide User Fee Schedule - Effective July 1, 2022 (PDF)

Density Bonus Process

For information on density bonuses pursuant to Section 65915 et seq. of the California Government Codes, please refer to the City's Density Bonus Program webpage.

Permit Applications

Permit applications can be found on the Applications and Informational Handouts page.

Complete application packets, including a completed Credit Card Authorization Form (PDF) may be mailed to the Planning Division or emailed to planning@nationalcityca.gov (depending on size of file). Please call Planning Division staff for additional information or assistance.

Duties of the Planning Division

General Plan: California State law (Government Code Section 63500) requires each city and county to prepare and adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan for the physical development every ten years. The General Plan serves as a “blue print" for all land use actions of the city. It is fundamentally a policy document that articulates the goals, strategies, and, in some areas, regulations regarding the distribution of land and its type and intensity of use, both public and private. This long-range planning document is a vision of what National City should become.

Focused General Plan Update : Be a part of the process to update National City’s General Plan, the citywide “blueprint” document that guides future growth and investments

The Housing Element is a chapter of the General Plan, but is required to be updated every eight years. The most recent Housing Element, which covers the years 2021 to 2029, was adopted August 3, 2021. 

Land Use Code: Chapter 18 of the Municipal Code is the City’s Zoning Ordinance and is the primary tool for implementing the General Plan. The Land Use Code provides detailed standards for development or the use of land. These standards include what types of uses are permitted in particular zone, minimum lot size, height restrictions, building setbacks, parking requirements, wall heights, sign criteria and other standards.

Environmental Review is conducted in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. Environmental review is required for all private and public development projects, including City Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). Special planning studies and technical advice on land use issues are provided to the City Council, Planning Commission, City Manager and other city departments.

For information on the Transit Oriented Development Overlay (TODO) project, please visit the project website.

The City has recently enacted regulations related to sidewalk vending. For information, including licensing, please refer to the Finance Department website (Street Vending / Venta Ambulante).

Related Links

• The San Diego Association of Governments
• The County of San Diego Assessor / Recorder / County Clerk
• The County of San Diego
• The Local Agency Formation Commission- San Diego
• The County of San Diego Air Pollution Control District
• The American Planning Association – San Diego
• The American Institute of Architects- San Diego
• The State of California Official Government Website

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