Novato, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Division 19.31 of the Novato Zoning Ordinance (Property Maintenance) governs the upkeep of private property in the City of Novato, Marin County, California. Section 19.31.020 requires anyone owning, leasing, occupying, or having charge or possession of any property to maintain it in a manner that the Director determines is not detrimental or injurious to public health, safety, and general welfare. Section 19.31.030 then lists conditions it is unlawful to maintain, and subsection G covers vegetation: overgrown, dead, decayed or diseased vegetation on private property. The section prints no height in inches for grass or weeds.

The test is notice and time. There is a conclusive presumption that vegetation is overgrown or dead if it has not been cut and trimmed, not responded to adequate watering and maintenance, or not been replaced within 15 days after notification by the Director that the vegetation is overgrown or dead. Subsection H adds refuse and waste material that by reason of its location or character may constitute a fire hazard or threat to health, safety, and general welfare, and states that compost piles are not considered refuse and waste.

A separate nuisance list in Section 1-6.4 declares accumulations of debris or rank overgrowth constituting a fire hazard, and weeds or other vegetation that are overgrown, dead, decayed, or diseased and likely to harbor vermin or pose a serious risk of physical injury, to be public nuisances. Section 19.31.040 routes abatement through Division 19.59 (Zoning Ordinance Enforcement). There the Director issues a written Notice of Violation to the record owner, which states a 30-day correction period unless the responsible party arranges a longer one, the Director extends it for good cause, or the Director shortens it because the violation is a hazard to public health or safety.