RV and boat parking in National City: the local rules

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
Front-yard parking	Only on paved areas or driveways designed for parking. Applies: Any vehicle, including an RV or boat trailer, in the front yard or exterior side yard setback of a home. § 7.20.140 · code text Except in paved areas or driveways specifically designed for parking, it is unlawful to park any vehicle, including a recreational vehicle or boat trailer, within the front yard or the exterior side yard setbacks of private residential property, or on the parkway or landscape area of the public right-of-way.
Where it may be parked	Only if owned by and registered to someone living in a legal home on the same parcel. Applies: RVs or boat trailers parked or stored on a residential parcel. § 7.20.140 · code text On a residential parcel unless that recreational vehicle or boat trailer is owned by and registered to an occupant of a legal dwelling unit on the same parcel; On any other parcel, only in a zoned and licensed RV storage yard or repair facility. Applies: RVs or boat trailers. § 7.20.140 · code text On any other parcel unless the parcel is zoned and licensed for use as a recreational vehicle storage yard or repair facility.
Size limit	No parking on a city street at any time without a temporary permit. Applies: RVs, boats and trailers over 20 ft long, 7 ft wide or 8 ft high; loading or unloading allowed up to 2 hours. § 11.32.366 · code text For the purpose of this section, "recreational vehicle" is any vehicle which exceeds twenty feet in length, seven feet in width or eight feet in height that shall include, but is not limited to the following:
Parking on the street	24 hours. Applies: Each temporary RV street parking permit; valid only on the same block or an adjacent street. § 11.32.366 · code text The permit shall be valid for no longer than twenty-four hours. Up to 3 permits at once, for no more than 72 consecutive hours. Applies: City residents or property owners; no more than 6 permits a month and 72 a year. § 11.32.366 · code text A city resident or city property owner may obtain no more than three permits at one time for a period of no longer than seventy-two consecutive hours. 3 days must pass before the next permit is issued. Applies: After an RV street parking permit expires. § 11.32.366 · code text There shall be three days between the expiration of a permit, or if a city resident or city property owner obtained two or three permits at one time the expiration of the second or third permit, and the issuance of another permit to the same city resident or city property owner.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

Can I park an RV or boat at my home in National City?

National City's code: Only if owned by and registered to someone living in a legal home on the same parcel. (RVs or boat trailers parked or stored on a residential parcel.) (§ 7.20.140); No parking on a city street at any time without a temporary permit. (RVs, boats and trailers over 20 ft long, 7 ft wide or 8 ft high; loading or unloading allowed up to 2 hours.) (§ 11.32.366).

RV and boat parking in National City

What National City's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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