Novato, CA Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)
Key Facts
- Local standard
- CALGreen mandatory measures plus Tier 1 (except Tier 1 energy)
- New residential
- Appendix A4 Divisions A4.1 to A4.6, Tier 1 measures only
- New nonresidential
- Appendix A5 Divisions A5.1, A5.3 to A5.6
- Additions and alterations
- Meet Section 301, not Tier 1 status
- Checklists
- CALGreen checklists authorized by the building official
- Energy rules
- California Energy Code, Title 24, Part 6, still applies
Summary
In the City of Novato, newly constructed buildings must meet the CALGreen mandatory measures plus the Tier 1 measures from Appendix A4 or A5, with the energy-efficiency divisions excluded from that mandate. Additions and alterations meet Section 301 but not Tier 1 status. Section 4-1.4.11 adopts the 2025 California Green Building Standards Code with these amendments.
301.1 Scope. Buildings shall be designed to include the green building measures specified as mandatory in Chapters 4 and 5 of this code, as applicable. Newly constructed buildings shall also be designed and constructed to include the prerequisite and applicable elective measures to achieve Tier 1 status as prescribed in Appendix A4 and A5 of this code, as applicable, except that the energy efficiency measures set forth in Appendix A4 Division A4.2 and Appendix A5 and Division A5.2 shall not be required. Additions and alterations shall meet the requirements of Section 301 but shall not be required to meet Tier 1 status as prescribed in Appendix A4 or A5 of this code, as otherwise applicable. The building official shall develop CALGreen application checklists to be included in the design and used for construction of structures covered by this code. All buildings subject to the requirements of this code shall meet all applicable requirements of the California Energy Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 6).
Full Breakdown
Novato Municipal Code § 4-1.4.11 adopts Part 11 of Title 24, the 2025 California Green Building Standards Code, and amends Subsection 301.1 so that Tier 1 compliance (except Tier 1 energy) is the local standard. New buildings must include the mandatory measures of Chapters 4 and 5 plus the prerequisite and applicable elective measures that achieve Tier 1 status in Appendix A4 (residential) and Appendix A5 (nonresidential). The energy-efficiency measures in Appendix A4 Division A4.2 and Appendix A5 Division A5.2 are not required, and Sections A4.201.1 and A5.201.1 describe those divisions as entirely voluntary. Additions and alterations meet Section 301 only. Every building must still satisfy the California Energy Code, Title 24, Part 6.
The section adopts Appendix Chapters A4 and A5 by reference. For new residential construction only it makes mandatory Divisions A4.1 (Planning and Design), A4.2 (Energy Efficiency), A4.3 (Water Efficiency and Conservation), A4.4 (Material Conservation and Resource Efficiency), A4.5 (Environmental Quality) and A4.6 (Voluntary Tiers) with Tier 1 measures only. For new nonresidential construction only it adopts Divisions A5.1, A5.3, A5.4, A5.5 and A5.6, the last with Tier 1 measures only, and Division A5.2 is absent from that list. Novato retitles Appendix A4 as Supplementary Residential Mandatory and Elective Measures and Appendix A5 as Supplementary Nonresidential Mandatory and Elective Measures, deletes Appendix Section A4.602 and Division A4.7 (Residential Model Ordinance), and deletes the Division 5.2 row from Table A5.601.
Compliance paperwork runs through checklists. Section 301.1 directs the building official to develop CALGreen application checklists for design and construction, and the amended note to A4.601.4.2 and Section A5.602 require checklists authorized by the building official to show the mandatory and Tier 1 elective measures in each project. Permit applications follow Section 106.3 of the administrative provisions and inspections follow Section 110.5.
Violations & Fines
Violations of Chapter 4-1, including the adopted green building code, are unlawful under Section 114.1 and punishable under Chapters 1-5 and 1-7, with each day a separate offense and a public nuisance subject to abatement (Section 114.7). Section 1-5.1 sets a default fine up to $1,000, up to six months imprisonment, or both, or an infraction at $100, $200 and $500 for a first, second and later violation within one year. Section 4-12.7 separately lets the department withhold final approval of a covered project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Novato require CALGreen Tier 1 on new buildings?
Do additions and remodels have to reach Tier 1 in the City of Novato?
Who creates the green building checklist I submit with my project?
What did Novato delete from the state green building appendices?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Novato
California rules heatmap·Compare Novato to another location·View the California building safety overview
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