Parking spaces required for homes in National City

Each rule below links to the section of the National City Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What National City's code says

National City code What National City's code adds
Garage and covered spaces	A two-car tandem garage must be at least 10 feet wide by 38 feet long. Applies: Applies to two-car tandem garages in the RS-4 zone of the Westside Specific Plan. § 18.45.060 · code text A two-car tandem garage shall measure a minimum of ten feet wide by thirty-eight feet long. Tandem spaces are allowed only in an enclosed parking garage. Applies: Applies to multi-family or mixed-use development for units of 3 bedrooms or more. § 18.45.055 · code text Tandem spaces shall only be permitted in an enclosed parking garage.
Guest parking	Guest parking is 1/2 space per unit for 20 units or less, plus 1/4 space for each unit over 20. Applies: Applies to multiple dwellings. § 18.45.050 · code text Dwelling, multiple \| 1.3 spaces per 1-bedroom dwelling unit plus 1.5 spaces per 2-bedroom or more unit, and conveniently located guest parking of ½ space per unit for 20 units or less, plus ¼ space for each unit over 20. Guest parking is 1 space for each 10 units. Applies: Applies to senior housing. § 18.45.050 · code text Senior housing \| 1 space per unit plus 1 guest space for each 10 units
Spaces per apartment or condo	1.3 spaces per 1-bedroom unit, plus 1.5 spaces per unit with 2 or more bedrooms. Applies: Applies to multiple dwellings. § 18.45.050 · code text Dwelling, multiple \| 1.3 spaces per 1-bedroom dwelling unit plus 1.5 spaces per 2-bedroom or more unit, and conveniently located guest parking of ½ space per unit for 20 units or less, plus ¼ space for each unit over 20. 2 parking spaces per unit. Applies: Applies to RS-4 (Westside Specific Plan) units greater than 1,200 square feet. § 18.45.050 · code text RS-4 (Westside Specific Plan): Units greater than 1,200 square feet \| 2 spaces per unit 1.7 parking spaces per unit. Applies: Applies to RS-4 (Westside Specific Plan) units less than 1,200 square feet. § 18.45.050 · code text RS-4 (Westside Specific Plan): Units less than 1,200 square feet \| 1.7 spaces per unit 1 parking space per unit. Applies: Applies to senior housing. § 18.45.050 · code text Senior housing \| 1 space per unit plus 1 guest space for each 10 units At least 1 parking space per unit. Applies: Applies to studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom residential units in the MXD and MXC mixed-use zones. § 18.45.050 · code text Residential - studio, 1 bedroom, and 2 bedroom units \| Minimum: 1 space per unit At least 1.5 parking spaces per unit. Applies: Applies to residential units with 3 or more bedrooms in the MXD and MXC mixed-use zones. § 18.45.050 · code text Residential - 3 or more bedroom units \| Minimum: 1.5 spaces per unit 1.5 parking spaces per unit. Applies: Applies to residential units greater than 1,200 square feet in MCR zones in the Westside Specific Plan. § 18.45.050 · code text Residential units greater than 1200 square feet \| 1.5 spaces per unit 1 parking space per unit. Applies: Applies to residential units less than 1,200 square feet in MCR zones in the Westside Specific Plan. § 18.45.050 · code text Residential units less than 1200 square feet \| 1 space per unit
Spaces for a single-family home	2 covered spaces, plus 1 more uncovered space per bedroom over 4 or if over 2,500 SF, whichever is greater. Applies: Applies to a single detached dwelling in the RS-1 zone. § 18.45.050 · code text Dwelling, single detached (RS-1 zone) \| 2 covered spaces, plus one additional uncovered space per bedroom greater than four bedrooms or one additional uncovered space for dwellings greater than 2,500 SF, whichever is greater. 1 covered, 1 uncovered, plus 1 more uncovered per bedroom over 4 or if over 2,500 SF, whichever is greater. Applies: Applies to a single detached dwelling in all other RS and RM zones, except in the Westside Specific Plan area. § 18.45.050 · code text Dwelling, single detached (all other RS and RM zones, except within the Westside Specific Plan area) \| One covered space and one uncovered space, plus one additional uncovered space per bedroom greater than four bedrooms or one additional uncovered space for dwellings greater than 2,500 SF, whichever is greater. 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit, in a garage or carport. Applies: Applies to a single attached dwelling. § 18.45.050 · code text Dwelling, single attached \| 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit in a garage or carport

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How many parking spaces does a home need in National City?

National City's code: A two-car tandem garage must be at least 10 feet wide by 38 feet long. (Applies to two-car tandem garages in the RS-4 zone of the Westside Specific Plan.) (§ 18.45.060); Tandem spaces are allowed only in an enclosed parking garage. (Applies to multi-family or mixed-use development for units of 3 bedrooms or more.) (§ 18.45.055).

Parking spaces required for homes in National City

What National City's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific National City property

More on building on your lot in National City