Home Business in Novato, CA (2026)
4 verified home business rules for Novato, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
In the City of Novato, California, a home business needs approval from the Director in conjunction with a City Business License under Municipal Code § 19.34.080. Activity must stay inside the dwelling (25 percent of gross floor area or one room, whichever is greater) or a garage, with no on-site employees beyond full-time residents and one client or family at a time.
Novato Home Occupation Zoning Standards and Permit
Some RestrictionsNovato Municipal Code § 19.34.080
A.Permit Requirement. ... The Director is authorized to approve a home occupation in conjunction with a City Business License. ... C.Operating Standards. Home occupations shall comply with all of the following operating standards:1.Accessory Use. The home occupation shall be clearly secondary to the full-time use of the property as a residence.2.Location of Home Occupation Activities. All home ...
Signage Rules
In the City of Novato, California, a home occupation gets one name plate not exceeding one square foot and nothing else. Municipal Code § 19.34.080.C.4 bars window displays, advertising signs, and any display of merchandise, equipment or stock-in-trade, and the activity cannot be visible from the public right-of-way or from neighboring residential properties.
Novato Home Business Sign Limits
Significant RestrictionsNovato Municipal Code § 19.34.080
3.Visibility. The use shall not require any modification not customarily found in a dwelling, nor shall the home occupation activity be visible from the adjoining public right-of-way, or from neighboring residential properties.4.Display, Signs. There shall be no window display or advertising signs, other than one name plate not exceeding one square foot in area. There shall be no display of mer...
Customer Traffic Restrictions
In the City of Novato, Marin County, California, a home occupation under Novato Municipal Code § 19.34.080.C.9 can have only one client or family on site at a time, and visitors, customers and deliveries cannot exceed what normally and reasonably occurs for a residence. The Director approves the home occupation together with a City Business License.
Novato Home Business Customer and Traffic Limits
Some RestrictionsNovato Municipal Code § 19.34.080
C.Operating Standards. Home occupations shall comply with all of the following operating standards: ... 5.Parking. The use shall not negatively impact on-street parking in the neighborhood. ... 8.Employees. A home occupation shall have no on-site employees other than full-time residents of the dwelling.9.Customers or Deliveries. The frequency of visitors, customers, or deliveries shall not exce...
Home Daycare
In the City of Novato, Marin County, California, Novato Municipal Code § 19.34.070.A allows a small family day care home (8 or fewer children) and a large one (9 to 14 children) within a single-family residence in a residential zoning district. Licensing by the California Department of Social Services is required for every facility. A center of 15 or more children is a separate Use Permit use.
Novato Home Daycare and Family Day Care Rules
Light RestrictionsNovato Municipal Code § 19.34.070
Licensing by the Department of Social Services is required for all facilities. ... 1.Small Family Day Care Homes (8 or Fewer Children). Allowed within a single-family residence located in a residential zoning district.2.Large Family Day Care Homes (9 to 14 Children). Allowed within a single-family residence located in a residential zoning district.
Looking for Marin County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Novato city rules.
Home Business in Marin County →