Novato, CA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

Article 3-4 of Chapter III (Cat Microchipping and Sterilization) is a Novato City Council ordinance, enforced for the city by the Marin Humane Society, which the code names as the animal services agency for Marin County. Section 3-4.2 requires each person owning a cat over the age of four months that is present in the city to have the cat sterilized. Section 3-4.1 adds a companion duty: every owner of a cat over four months must microchip it by injecting an identifying microchip under the cat's skin. Tags or other visible identification are allowed but do not replace the chip. When a licensed veterinarian certifies that a chip would be injurious to the cat's health, an alternative means of identification is used instead. For these sections an owner is anyone who owns, harbors or has custody or control of a cat at their residence.

Section 3-4.3 lists the exceptions. They cover a cat kept in the city for no more than 30 days solely to enter a show or exhibition; a cat owned specifically for breeding by a person holding all required licenses and permits; a cat owned by a nonresident traveling through the city for no more than 30 days; a cat found in the city whose owner lives elsewhere, provided it wears visible tags or has a microchip; and a cat brought in for veterinary care and kept strictly confined with a veterinarian whose business is in the city. The same section adds that no resident is discouraged or penalized for caring for or feeding cats that are not owned cats.

Section 3-4.5 sets the enforcement rules. The Marin Humane Society must provide no cost or low cost microchip implanting or sterilization options to owners who are found in violation and certify in writing that they cannot afford all or some of the remedies. No animal whose owner violated § 3-4.1 or § 3-4.2, and no other provision of the chapter, is impounded for that violation. An impounded animal is not released to its owner or for adoption until the owner has complied. Section 3-4.6 requires the Society to report annually to the city council on interactions with cats, field responses, processing costs and revenues, program goals and recommended changes.

Sterilization also appears elsewhere in Chapter III. Section 3-1.14(d) says no dog or cat is released for adoption without being sterilized, and § 3-1.22 requires the owner of a dog declared potentially dangerous or vicious to have it sterilized and deliver proof to the animal services agency within 30 days of the determination.