Novato, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- R1-20 yards
- Front 30 ft, side 15 ft, rear 30 ft
- R1-10 yards
- Front 25 ft, side 10 ft, rear 25 ft
- R1-7.5 yards
- Front 25 ft, side 6 ft, rear 20 ft
- Garage on side street
- 20 feet minimum street side setback
- Rear exception
- 10 ft for single story element under 25 percent
- Measurement rules
- See Section 19.20.100
Summary
In the City of Novato, the residential setback tables set minimum yards by zone and lot-size suffix. R1-20 requires 30 ft front and rear and 15 ft sides, R1-10 requires a 25 ft front, 10 ft sides and a 25 ft rear, and R1-7.5 requires a 25 ft front, 6 ft sides and a 20 ft rear.
TABLE 2-5 RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS - LOW DENSITY DISTRICTS Residential Zoning District Maximun Number of Dwelling Units Minimum Lot Size Minimum Setbacks Max. Building Coverage (1) Height Limit (ft) (2) Floor Area Ratio Area (sf) Width (ft) Depth (ft) Front (ft) Side (ft) Street Side (ft) Rear (ft) ... R1-20 20,000 100 100 30 15 15 (4) 30 40% 30 50% R1-10 10,000 75 100 25 10 10 (4) 25 40% 30 50% R1-7.5 7,500 60 100 25 6 10 (4) 20 (5) 40% 30 50% ... (4)20 feet minimum for a garage using the side street for access, or when the building exceeds 20 feet in height.(5)10 ft. setback allowed for an attached single story building element (e.g., room addition, patio cover) if it does not occupy more than 25 percent of the required rear setback.
Full Breakdown
Section 19.10.040 of the Novato Zoning Ordinance requires subdivisions, new land uses and structures, and alterations to existing ones to meet the residential development standards in Tables 2-5 and 2-6. The low density table prints a minimum setback for every row. RR-80 prints 30 ft front, 25 ft side, 25 ft street side and 30 ft rear. RVL-80 prints 30, 25, 20 and 30, and RVL-40 and R1-40 print 30, 20, 20 and 30. R1-20 prints 30 ft front, 15 ft side, 15 ft street side and 30 ft rear. R1-10 prints 25, 10, 10 and 25. R1-7.5 prints 25, 6, 10 and 20.
The footnotes change those numbers. Note (4) raises the street side setback to 20 feet minimum for a garage using the side street for access, or when the building exceeds 20 feet in height. Note (5) lets a single story attached element, such as a room addition or patio cover, sit 10 ft from the rear line if it does not occupy more than 25 percent of the required rear setback.
The multi-family table, Table 2-6, prints front setbacks of 25 ft for R4-6.0, 20 ft for R5-7.5 and R5-4.5, and 20 ft for the R10 and R20 rows. Sides are 5 ft for R4 and R5 rows and 6 or 10 ft for R10 and R20 rows, where 10 feet applies when building height exceeds 20 feet. Rear setbacks are 20 ft for R4 and R5 rows and 15 or 20 ft for R10 and R20 rows, with 20 feet minimum when the rear property line abuts a single family zone.
Table 2-5 sends readers to Section 19.20.100 for setback measurement, allowed projections into setbacks, and exceptions to setbacks.
Violations & Fines
Under § 19.59.040, a structure built or maintained contrary to the Zoning Ordinance is unlawful and a public nuisance, and violators are guilty of a misdemeanor or an infraction at the election of the City. Construction in violation can draw a Stop Work Order. Under § 19.59.080 the Director issues a written Notice of Violation with 30 days to correct, unless a hazard requires less time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the front setback in Novato's R1-10 zone?
Is the street side setback larger for a garage in Novato?
Can a room addition sit closer to the rear line in Novato?
Where does Novato explain how setbacks are measured?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Novato
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