Environmental Rules in Novato, CA (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Novato, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
In the City of Novato, California, section 7-4.6 prohibits discharging anything other than stormwater into the city storm drain system, and any other discharge must comply with an NPDES permit. Sections 7-4 and 7-5 add post-construction runoff controls, watercourse protection and an annual Clean Stormwater Activity Fee on every owner of real property.
Novato Stormwater Discharge and Drainage Rules
Some RestrictionsNovato Municipal Code § 7-4.6
7-4.6 Discharge of pollutants. The discharge of non-stormwater to the city storm drain system is prohibited. All discharges of material other than stormwater must be in compliance with an NPDES permit issued for the discharge. ... a.Discharges of waste from the MS4 that are prohibited by statewide water quality control plans or applicable regional water quality control plans (basin plans) are p...
Erosion Control
In the City of Novato, California, anyone doing soil-disturbing construction must put erosion and sediment controls in place under section 7-4.10c. A written erosion and sediment control plan is required for every project needing a grading permit under Chapter VI and for other projects with significant erosion potential, and the approved plan is a condition of the permit.
Novato Construction Erosion and Sediment Control Plans
Some RestrictionsNovato Municipal Code § 7-4.10c
c.Best management practices for construction activity, new development and redevelopment.1.Any person performing construction activities in the city shall implement appropriate BMPs to prevent the discharge of construction wastes or contaminants from construction materials, tools and equipment from entering the storm drain system or watercourse.2.Construction-phase BMPs include erosion and sedi...
Flood Zones
In the City of Novato, California, Municipal Code § 19.16.050 applies a Flood Hazard (F) overlay in three tiers. F1 primary floodway land is limited to boat docks with a Use Permit, F2 secondary floodway land restricts levees and fill, and F3 land in the 100-year flood plain needs an engineering and hydraulic study.
Novato Flood Hazard Overlay Districts F1, F2 and F3
Significant RestrictionsNovato Municipal Code § 19.16.050
A.Purpose and Applicability. ... The F overlay zoning district is applied to areas within the City prone to flood hazard risks, combined with any primary zoning district as shown on the Zoning Map and by Section 19.04.020 (Zoning Districts Established). The intent is to protect people and property from flood hazard risks by appropriately regulating development and land uses within an F overlay ...
Boat Dock Permits
In the City of Novato, the F1 flood overlay district, applied to lands in a primary floodway, limits allowable land uses to boat docks, and each dock needs Use Permit approval. Marinas, docks and piers also need a Use Permit in the A, OS, ROS and C zoning districts.
Novato Boat Dock Use Permits in Flood Overlay
Significant RestrictionsNovato Municipal Code § 19.16.050
B.Allowed Land Uses and Development Standards. Any land use normally allowed in the primary zoning district by this Article may be allowed within the F overlay district, except as limited by this subsection. Individual F overlay districts are identified by a suffix appended to the F overlay zoning symbol, which indicates the land uses allowed in each flood overlay district.1.F1 District. The F1...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In the City of Novato, Marin County, California, new construction and substantial improvement in a special flood hazard area must have the lowest floor, basement included, at or above the base flood elevation. Nonresidential buildings can floodproof instead, and an engineer or surveyor must certify the lowest floor elevation once construction starts.
Novato Flood Elevation and Floodproofing Rules
Some RestrictionsNovato Municipal Code § 5-31.008
3.Elevation and Floodproofing.(a)New construction and substantial improvement of any structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation. Nonresidential structures may meet the standards in section 5-31.008a, 3(c). Upon start of construction of the structure, the elevation of the lowest floor including basement shall be certified by a registe...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Novato city rules.
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