Novato, CA Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)

Novato Municipal Code § 4-1.4.7 adopts Part 7 of Title 24, the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, deletes Chapter 1, Division II and substitutes the administrative provisions of Section 4-1.3. Amended Section 501.1 applies the code to new and substantially remodeled buildings and to additions, modifications and relocations in a designated zone. Two exceptions apply: Group U accessory structures up to 120 square feet in floor area, and Group U agricultural buildings, each located at least 50 feet from applicable buildings. New Section 501.5 defines MODIFIED as any replacement, same size or different, or an addition of any building component.

Section 503.2.2 prohibits fire-retardant-treated wood in exterior siding, decking or roofing, and Section 503.2.3 prohibits treated wood shingles and shakes in roof assemblies. Both carry an exception for a building or structure listed or eligible for the California Points of Historical Interest, California State Historical Landmarks, California Register of Historical Resources or National Register of Historic Places. Section 504.6 requires underfloor areas enclosed to the ground. Section 504.9 requires exterior doors to be noncombustible, solid-core wood not less than 1-3/4 inches thick, or one of the other listed constructions, such as a fire protection rating of not less than 20 minutes. Section 504.8 limits exterior glazing to multilayered panels with a tempered pane, glass block, 20-minute rated glazing, or glazing meeting SFM Standard 12-7A-2. Section 504.7.3.5 sends a deck back to the Section 504.7.3.2 surface-material rule when more than 50% of the deck surface or of its supporting structure is replaced or removed. New Section 508.A requires the entire face or elevation of exterior wall covering to meet Section 504.5.2 when more than fifty percent of the covering on that face is repaired or replaced within twelve months. Novato's amendment to the California Residential Code also replaces the Class B and C roof covering references in R902.1 and R902.1.3 with a minimum of Class A.

Section 7-11 adds a conduct rule: camping, occupying camp facilities or using camp paraphernalia in a wildfire risk area, as defined in California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 9, Section 202, is unlawful and a public nuisance, and so is storing personal property there without the property owner's written consent.