Novato · Land use · Live-work unit
Where is a live-work unit allowed in Novato?
In Novato, a live-work unit is allowed in 6 base zones (BPO, CG, CDR, CDB, CI and 1 more) and not allowed in 1 (Novato use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: BPO, CG, CDR, CDB, CI and LIO
- Not allowed: CN
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Novato Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where a live-work unit can go
Novato's code calls this use “Live/work projects”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| BPO Business and Professional Office | Allowed | § 19.12.030 |
| CG General Commercial | Allowed | § 19.12.030 |
| CDR Downtown Core Retail | Allowed | § 19.12.030 |
| CDB Downtown Core Business | Allowed | § 19.12.030 |
| CI Commercial/Industrial | Allowed | § 19.12.030 |
| LIO Light Industrial/Office | Allowed | § 19.12.030 |
Zones where it is not allowed
CN.
What else applies
- Standards for this use: § 19.34.090 Live/work projects (section text not in packet).
- Not covered here: Residential districts (Table 2-4): the stored text of 19.10.030 has no table, so no residential-district cell can be read. The 'uses not listed are not allowed' rule (19.06.030 C) is no help there.; Agricultural and resource districts A, OS, ROS, C (Table 2-2): no Emergency Shelter row in the table (not allowed under 19.06.030 C).; Special purpose districts (Table 2-9) and PD: no table text; PD uses come from the adopted Master Plan.. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Novato
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a live-work unit in the CN zone in Novato?
No. Novato's use table does not allow it in CN (Neighborhood Commercial) (§ 19.12.030).
Can I have a live-work unit in the BPO zone in Novato?
Yes. Novato's use table lists it as allowed in BPO (Business and Professional Office) (§ 19.12.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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