Plan the Shape
Lay out the patio with rope or chalk. Put the table and grill where they will go. Leave room to walk around. Changing a chalk line is free.
Permits
We did not find a National City page that says when a patio on private land needs a permit. Ask the city before work starts and note who you talked to.
Near the Bay
National City borders San Diego Bay. Under the Coastal Act, many improvements to an existing single family home need no coastal development permit, but some kinds of work do. If you live near the water, ask the city to check your parcel.
Water and Soil
A patio should drain away from the house. County records list expansive clay soils in the coastal plain, so plan the base and joints with care.
Questions
Does a patio need a permit in National City?
We did not find a city rule on that. Ask National City about your lot before work starts.
Is National City in the coastal zone?
Parts of the city border San Diego Bay. Ask the city to check your parcel for coastal rules.