National City Council adopts short‑term rental rules capping 45 units per district

National City’s City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance establishing a short‑term rental licensing program and capping licenses at 45 per council district.

The ordinance, adopted at second reading Tuesday, adds Chapter 6.3 to the National City Municipal Code and requires criminal background checks for STR license applicants. Staff said the ordinance will take effect 30 days after adoption and that the city expects to begin implementation — including working with a third‑party vendor to accept applications — by early 2026.

City planning staff presented the item as the product of more than a year of public outreach and enforcement concerns tied to unregulated rentals. David Welch, planning division, told the council staff had counted “over 200” short‑term…