Animal Ordinances in Novato, CA (2026)
11 verified animal ordinances for Novato, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Novato, Marin County, California, Novato Municipal Code § 19.34.060 allows animal keeping in residential zoning districts under Table 3-14: up to 12 fowl on at least 5,000 square feet with 10-foot setbacks, no roosters, and a henhouse and pen kept 25 feet from neighboring dwellings. Horses, cows, goats and similar animals need one animal per 20,000 square feet.
Novato Backyard Chicken and Livestock Keeping Rules
Some RestrictionsNovato Municipal Code § 19.34.060
Type of animals Permit Requirement by Zoning District (2) A RR RVL R1 R4/R5 R10 R20 ... Fowl and poultry - 13 or more total P UP UP UP — — — ... D.Animal keeping standards. All animal keeping shall comply with the standards in Table 3-14. ... Type of Animal or Facility Maximum Number of Animals per Site (1) Minimum Lot Area (2) Minimum Setbacks (3) Fowl and poultry - (Roosters, quacking ducks, ...
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Novato, a dog must be on a leash on all public property, including parks, schools and open space, unless the property is posted with signs permitting dogs off leash. Under Novato Municipal Code § 3-1.17 a dog found running at large is immediately seized and impounded, and § 3-1.19 requires a competent person in immediate control of every dog.
Novato Dog Leash and At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsNovato Municipal Code § 3-1.17
3-1.17 Dogs at Large in Public Areas. It is unlawful for the owner/guardian or person having control of any dog to permit the same, under any circumstances, to be off leash in, on or about any public property within the city, including, but not limited to, any park, school, school grounds or open space area, except public property posted with signs permitting dogs to be off leash. Every dog fou...
Breed Restrictions
In the City of Novato, Novato Municipal Code § 3-1.22 defines potentially dangerous and vicious dogs by conduct, and no breed is named in those definitions. A declared dog must be sterilized within 30 days, enclosed securely, and kept on a leash of no more than six feet off the owner's property.
Novato Dangerous and Vicious Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsNovato Municipal Code § 3-1.22
b."Potentially dangerous dog" means any of the following:1.Any dog which, when unprovoked on two separate occasions within the prior 36-month period, engages in any behavior that requires a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury when the person and the dog are off the property of the owner/guardian or keeper of the dog; ... c."Vicious dog" means any of the following:1.Any dog w...
Exotic Pets
In the City of Novato, Novato Municipal Code § 3-1.23 bars any person from boarding, keeping or possessing any wild or undomesticated animal for any length of time. Section 3-1.24 lists big cats, bears, wolves, primates, venomous snakes, crocodilians and more. Violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to six months in county jail or a $1,000 fine.
Novato Wild and Dangerous Animal Possession Ban
Heavy RestrictionsNovato Municipal Code § 3-1.23
3-1.23 Prohibition. No person shall board, have, keep, maintain, display or have in his/her possession or control, for any length of time any wild and/or undomesticated animal, as defined in section 3-1.24. ... a "wild and/or undomesticated animal" is defined as an animal which is wild by nature and not customarily domesticated in Marin County and which, because of its size, disposition or othe...
Wildlife Feeding
In the City of Novato, Novato Municipal Code § 3-1.32 bars anyone from intentionally feeding, or knowingly providing food for, non-captive wild animals, naming coyotes, mountain lions, foxes, bobcats, raccoons, skunks, opossums and turkeys. The only exception is lawful trapping with food bait.
Novato Wildlife Feeding Prohibition
Some RestrictionsNovato Municipal Code § 3-1.32
a.No person shall intentionally feed or in any manner knowingly provide food for non-captive wild and/or undomesticated animals as defined in section 3-1.24, including, but not limited to, coyotes, mountain lions, foxes, bobcats, raccoons, skunks, opossums and turkeys.b.This section shall not apply to persons legally engaged in trapping wild animals with devices utilizing food items as bait pur...
Pet Limits
In the City of Novato, Table 3-14 in § 19.34.060 caps household pets at 5 or less per site, counting cats, dogs, pot belly pigs under 80 pounds and other non-poisonous small animals. Novato Municipal Code § 3-1.26 makes it unlawful to keep more animals than Chapter 19 permits.
Novato Household Pet Limit of Five Per Site
Some RestrictionsNovato Municipal Code §§ 3-1.26, 19.34.060 (Table 3-14)
3-1.26 Limitation on Number of Dogs. Notwithstanding any provisions hereof to the contrary, it is unlawful for any person to keep or harbor more than the number of animals permitted by chapter 19 of the Novato Municipal Code on any lot, premises, dwelling, building, structure, boat or living accommodation. ... Type of Animal or Facility Maximum Number of Animals per Site (1) Minimum Lot Area (2...
Cat Rules
In the City of Novato, California, every owner of a cat over four months old that is present in the city must have the cat sterilized, the same age trigger as the microchip rule. Section 3-4.3 exempts show cats, licensed breeding cats and short visits. Violations are infractions, and the Marin Humane Society enforces the rule.
Novato Cat Sterilization Rules and Exceptions
Significant RestrictionsNovato Municipal Code § 3-4.2; § 3-4.3; § 3-4.5
3-4.2 Required Cat Sterilization. Except as provided in subsection 3-4.3, each person owning any cat over the age of four months which is present in the city shall have such cat sterilized. 3-4.3 Exceptions. Subsections 3-4.1 and 3.4.2 shall not apply to any of the following: a.Any cat brought into the city and kept therein for a period not to exceed 30 days for the exclusive purpose of enterin...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
In the City of Novato, every person who owns a cat over four months old that is present in the city must have it sterilized under Novato Municipal Code § 3-4.2, and must also microchip it under § 3-4.1. Violations are infractions enforced by the Marin Humane Society, and a citation is dismissed on request if the owner complies within 20 calendar days.
Novato Cat Sterilization and Microchip Requirement
Significant RestrictionsNovato Municipal Code § 3-4.2
3-4.2 Required Cat Sterilization. Except as provided in subsection 3-4.3, each person owning any cat over the age of four months which is present in the city shall have such cat sterilized. 3-4.3 Exceptions. Subsections 3-4.1 and 3.4.2 shall not apply to any of the following: ... b.Any cat owned specifically for the purposes of breeding by a person possessing all required licenses and permits f...
Microchipping
In the City of Novato, every person who owns, harbors or has custody of a cat over four months old must have the cat microchipped. A tag or collar does not substitute for the chip. The Marin Humane Society enforces the rule and offers no-cost or low-cost chipping to owners who certify in writing that they cannot afford it.
Novato Cat Microchipping Requirement
Significant RestrictionsNovato Municipal Code § 3-4.1; § 3-4.5
a.Except as provided in subsection 3-4.3, every person owning any cat over the age of four months shall microchip each such cat.b.Said microchipping shall be accomplished by the injection of an identifying microchip under the cat's skin. Visible identification of the cat through the use of tags or other means, while permissible, shall not be a substitute for the requirement of an identifying mi...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In the City of Novato, California, Table 2-7 in Municipal Code § 19.12.030 requires a Use Permit for a veterinary clinic or animal hospital in the CG, CDB, CI and LIO districts and prints a dash, meaning not allowed, in BPO, CN and CDR. Outpatient-only clinics add the CN district, also by Use Permit.
Novato Veterinary Clinic Zoning and Use Permits
Significant RestrictionsNovato Municipal Code § 19.12.030
TABLE 2-7 Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements for Commercial/Industrial Zoning Districts P Permitted Use (2) UP Use Permit required (3) — Use not allowed LAND USE (1) PERMIT REQUIRED BY DISTRICT Specific Use Regulations BPO CN CG CDR CDB CI LIO ... Kennels & boarding — — UP — — UP UP ... Veterinary clinics, animal hospitals — — UP — UP UP UP Veterinary clinics, outpatient treatment only — UP U...
Bird Protection
In the City of Novato, California, bird protection is written for one place: inside the Pacheco Pond Wildlife Area it is unlawful to hunt, molest, harm, frighten or kill any bird, or to possess the eggs, nest or young of any bird. Violators are ejected from the area and face an infraction conviction.
Novato Pacheco Pond Bird Protection Rules
Some RestrictionsNovato Municipal Code §§ 14-15.1, 14-15.2, 14-15.5
14-15.1 Prohibited Conduct. No person within the Pacheco Pond Wildlife area shall: ... b.Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot or throw missiles at any bird or animal, nor shall any person remove or have in his possession the young of any wild animal, or the eggs, nest or young of any bird. ... l.Hike, walk, bird watch, or nature study in any area other than the parking ...
Looking for Marin County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Novato city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Marin County →