Novato, CA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Novato requires sterilization of owned cats through Section 3-4.2 of the Novato Municipal Code. Each person owning a cat over the age of four months that is present in the city must have it sterilized. The duty reaches the same owners as the microchip rule in Section 3-4.1, which defines an owner as anyone who owns, harbors or has custody or control of a cat at their residence.

Section 3-4.3 carves out exceptions to both duties, and the code prints its cross reference to the sterilization section as 3.4.2. A cat kept in the city no longer than 30 days solely to be entered in a show or exhibition is exempt. So is a cat owned specifically for breeding by a person holding all required licenses and permits. A nonresident traveling through the city for up to 30 days is exempt, and a cat found in the city whose owner lives elsewhere is exempt if it wears visible tags or carries a microchip. A cat sent in for veterinary care is exempt while it stays strictly confined in the care of a veterinarian whose business is in the city.

The last exception protects community caregivers: no resident shall be discouraged or penalized for caring for or feeding cats other than owned cats, as defined in Section 3-1.2d. The sterilization duty attaches to owners, not to people who feed unowned cats.

Section 3-4.5 gives enforcement authority to the Marin Humane Society and sets the process. A violation is an infraction. Subsection (a) bars impounding an animal whose owner has violated Section 3-4.1 or 3-4.2, and subsection (b) holds an impounded animal back from release or adoption until its owner complies. The Society offers no-cost or low-cost sterilization options to owners who certify in writing that they cannot afford them. Section 3-4.6 requires an annual report to the Novato City Council that evaluates program goals and recommends changes.