Novato · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Novato
Novato sets its own fence heights and home-business rules. Fence limits depend on the setback, the distance from the sidewalk and the fence design.
Key points
- Fence height: City rule: fences are limited to 3 ft within 15 ft of the sidewalk in the front setback, and 6 ft elsewhere in setbacks.
- Home businesses: City rule: a home business may use 25% of the home or 1 room, whichever is greater, with 1 client at a time.
Each rule below is marked Novato code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Novato code City rule: fences are limited to 3 ft within 15 ft of the sidewalk in the front setback, and 6 ft elsewhere in setbacks.
All 8 Novato rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Running a business from home
| Space used |
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|---|---|
| Customer visits |
|
| Employees |
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| Permit |
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| Businesses not allowed |
|
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
|
|---|---|
| Solar permit process |
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Tree removal
| Replacement trees |
|
|---|
Building on a hillside
Novato code A geotechnical report naming soil or geology risks to stability, with mitigation, is required in the constraint analysis. Retaining walls should generally be no higher than 8 feet; split taller walls into terraces.
All 3 Novato rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
| When lights must be off |
|
|---|---|
| Shielding |
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Family child care homes
| Zoning | A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning |
|---|---|
| Business license or fee | A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home |
| Local rules | Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone |
| Small home | Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
| Large home | 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
Novato code The City Council sets the amount by resolution. An in-lieu fee may be paid instead of providing affordable units.
All 20 Novato rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Group homes and residential care
| Parking |
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|---|---|
| Homes for 7 or more |
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Parking spaces required for homes
| Garage and covered spaces |
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|---|---|
| Spaces per apartment or condo |
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Other Novato rules on this
Novato's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Animal keeping in residential zones (§ 19.34.060)
- Urban lot splits (SB 9) (§ 9-8)
- SB 9 two-unit development (§ 19.34.029)
- Flood damage prevention requirements (§ 5-31)
- When grading needs a use permit (§ 19.20.050)
- Grading design standards (§ 5-23)
- Noise limits and construction hours (§ 19.22.070)
- Leaf blower restrictions (§ 7-13)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a business from my home in Novato?
City rule: a home business may use 25% of the home or 1 room, whichever is greater, with 1 client at a time.
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Novato?
Novato's code: Administrative, nondiscretionary review; a permit is issued for a complete application meeting the checklist and standard plan. (Small residential rooftop solar systems. Apply by email, internet or fax; electronic signatures are accepted.) (§ 4-18); A permit is issued once the application meets the city checklist; the charger stays off until city approval. (Applies to electric vehicle charging stations.) (§ 4-19).
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Novato?
Novato's code: Replacement ratio of at least 3:1, set by species. (Applies to development projects under the woodland and tree preservation rules.) (§ 19.39.040).
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Novato?
Novato's code: Lights must be shielded so no light or glare leaves the property; minimize spillover onto neighbors as far as feasible. (§ 19.22.060); Off after 11:00 p.m. (All non-essential indoor and outdoor lighting, including lighted signs; uses with extended hours are exempt.) (§ 19.22.060).
Can I run a family child care home in Novato?
California law sets this for every city, including Novato: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).
Where are group homes and residential care homes allowed in Novato?
Novato's code: One parking space is required for each 3 beds. (Applies to residential care facilities for the elderly serving 7 or more residents.) (§ 19.34.160); Design Review is required. (Applies to residential care facilities for the elderly serving 7 or more residents.) (§ 19.34.160).
How many parking spaces does a home need in Novato?
Novato's code: 1 space in a garage, within 100 feet of the unit it serves (Duplex; in the Downtown (D) overlay the rule is 1 space per unit in a garage within 100 feet of the unit) (§ 19.30.040); 2 spaces for each unit (Duplex outside the Downtown (D) overlay (1 space per unit in the overlay)) (§ 19.30.040).
General information, not legal advice.
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