The Novato Municipal Code is the set of local laws adopted by the Novato City Council that governs daily life inside the city, covering noise, parking, zoning, building standards, business licensing, cannabis, and code enforcement. It is organized by chapter and section, and the full text is hosted on Municode rather than on a separate city database.1City of Novato, CA. Novato Municipal Code If you have a citation number in hand or a specific question about what is allowed on your property, the Municode page is where you read the exact language the city applies.
How the Code Is Organized
Chapters are numbered by subject. Chapter IV covers building and housing standards. Chapter VII addresses public welfare provisions such as noise. Chapter XIX is the zoning ordinance. Each chapter breaks into numbered sections, so a citation like 19.59.080 points you to Chapter XIX, Division 19.59, Section 080. You can search by keyword or browse chapter by chapter.
Noise Rules and the Gas Leaf Blower Ban
Excessive noise is treated as a public nuisance. The restricted window runs from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., and generating disruptive noise during those hours can bring a citation.2Marin County Superior Court. Novato City Ordinances Bail Schedule Construction work, amplified music, and power equipment are the usual triggers. If you’re planning an event that could push sound past what neighbors will tolerate, ask the city about a temporary noise permit before the event.
Gas Leaf Blowers Are Prohibited
Under Ordinance No. 1690, gas-powered leaf blowers are banned at all times within city limits. The ban took effect July 1, 2023. Agricultural and conservation parcels of ten acres or more had a delayed enforcement date of July 1, 2024.3City of Novato, CA. Leaf Blower Restrictions
Electric blowers are still allowed, but only during set hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sundays and federal holidays, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You cannot blow debris onto neighboring properties, sidewalks, streets, or into storm drains. The property owner is responsible for compliance even when a hired crew is doing the work, so if your gardener arrives with a gas blower, the citation lands on you.3City of Novato, CA. Leaf Blower Restrictions
Parking on Public Streets
A vehicle cannot sit in one spot on a Novato street indefinitely. The standard limit is 72 consecutive hours, after which the vehicle must be moved. The rule keeps streets clear for sweeping, emergency access, and general traffic.
RVs Need a Permit
Recreational vehicles are prohibited from parking on public streets citywide unless you obtain a temporary permit from the Novato Police Department. Applications are processed Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and must be submitted at least 72 hours before the requested effective date.4City of Novato, CA. Temporary RV Parking Permit
Permits are issued for limited purposes:
- Residents loading, unloading, or cleaning the RV at their home
- Out-of-town visitors parking near the residence they’re visiting
- Community-serving events, such as a blood drive
The permit must be displayed on the lower driver’s side of the windshield or the nearest visible window. Residents applying need a California ID, a property tax or utility bill showing residency, and current DMV registration showing the RV is registered in Novato to the applicant.4City of Novato, CA. Temporary RV Parking Permit
Property Maintenance and Zoning
Chapter IV adopts the International Property Maintenance Code, setting baseline standards for residential and commercial structures. Owners are responsible for keeping buildings safe, sanitary, and functional, including structural elements, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems.5Municode Library. Novato Code of Ordinances – Chapter IV Building and Housing
Fire risk shapes several local amendments. The city’s own findings recognize that Novato’s terrain, hot dry summers, and periodic high winds make it susceptible to wildland fire, which drives requirements for fire-resistive construction, water for fire protection, and vegetation clearing (weed abatement) around structures.5Municode Library. Novato Code of Ordinances – Chapter IV Building and Housing
Chapter XIX, the zoning ordinance, controls how each parcel can be used. Residential lots have setback requirements, commercial properties face rules on signage, hours, and parking, and home-based businesses are regulated so commercial activity doesn’t reshape a residential neighborhood.
Business Licenses and Short-Term Rentals
Any business operating in Novato needs a city business license. The city partners with HdL Companies to handle applications, renewals, payments, and ownership changes.6City of Novato, CA. Business Licenses The fee is generally a fixed annual rate based on employee count, renewal is due by January 31, and home-based businesses are not exempt.
Short-term rentals (under 30 consecutive nights) require both a short-term rental registration and a separate business license. The business license is $174 the first year and $140 to renew. Registration adds a $180 first-year property fee ($69 renewal), a $333 application review ($69 renewal), and a $106 annual property inspection.7City of Novato, CA. Short Term Rental Program
Operators collect and remit a 14% transient occupancy tax on gross rental income (12% city, 2% county). The permanent resident must occupy the property at least 60 days per year, the operator must be an individual rather than a corporate entity, and the home must have off-street parking. ADUs permitted after 2017 cannot be short-term rentals. Neither can income-restricted housing, RVs, or accessory structures not approved for residential use.8City of Novato, CA. Short Term Rental Programa> Occupancy is capped at two people per bedroom plus two per additional living space (not counting kitchens or bathrooms), and total occupants can never exceed the number of off-street parking spaces.
Cannabis
Novato permits cannabis delivery businesses but does not currently allow storefront retail, cultivation, testing, distribution, or manufacturing inside city limits. Delivery license proposals are accepted on a rolling basis with no cap on the number issued. Cannabis businesses must meet minimum distance requirements from residential properties and youth-oriented facilities, as amended in November 2021.9City of Novato, CA. Cannabis (Marijuana) Regulations
Water Waste Rules That Apply Year-Round
Water service in Novato comes from the North Marin Water District, which enforces permanent prohibitions on water waste whether or not a drought is currently declared.10North Marin Water District. Novato Service Area Drought Is Over Prohibited at all times:
- Irrigation runoff or overspray onto pavement, gutters, or drains
- Leaving a controllable leak unrepaired for an unreasonable time
- Washing vehicles, trailers, or boats without a bucket and a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle
- Hosing down exterior paved areas
- Irrigating during or within 48 hours of measurable rainfall
- Using potable water for construction or street cleaning when another source or method is available
Animals and Pet Licensing
Every dog over four months old living in Novato must be licensed. Licensing is handled through Marin Humane, the county-designated animal services agency, and the requirement exists to verify rabies vaccination and help reunite lost pets with owners.11Marin Humane. Dog Licensing The code treats common household pets differently from animals like chickens or goats, which face enclosure and lot-size requirements set by zoning. Check the current Municode text for the per-household cap on dogs and cats, which can depend on your zoning district.
What Happens If You Get a Code Enforcement Notice
Enforcement starts with a written Notice of Violation to the property owner and anyone in possession or control of the property. The notice describes the violation, cites the code section, and gives a 30-day deadline to correct it.12Municode Library. Novato Code of Ordinances – Division 19.59 Zoning Ordinance Enforcement
The 30 days can move. The Director can extend the window for good cause if you’re actively working toward compliance, and can shorten it when the violation poses a health or safety hazard. If you disagree with the determination, the notice explains how to request a meeting to discuss corrections and timelines.12Municode Library. Novato Code of Ordinances – Division 19.59 Zoning Ordinance Enforcement
If the violation isn’t corrected, the city issues administrative citations at $100 per day, per violation, starting from the missed compliance date. Repeat orders for the same type of violation within 12 months carry higher daily penalties.13City of Novato, CA. Code Enforcement and Multi-Family Inspection Program The city can also seek injunctive relief in Superior Court or pursue abatement, meaning the city corrects the hazard and bills the owner. Those costs become lien-eligible, with a 10-day window to request a hearing before liability attaches.12Municode Library. Novato Code of Ordinances – Division 19.59 Zoning Ordinance Enforcement
If you receive a notice, respond within the first week even if you can’t fix everything right away. The per-day fine structure gets expensive quickly, and showing good faith is the most reliable path to a deadline extension.