Novato, CA Parking Rules: Overnight Parking (2026)

Novato Municipal Code § 18-7.3 sets the multi-day rule: a person who owns or controls a vehicle or trailer cannot park it on any street or alley for more than 72 consecutive hours. Under § 18-7.4, a member of the Novato Police Department authorized by the chief of police can remove a vehicle left on a street or highway beyond 72 consecutive hours, using the authority of Vehicle Code Section 22651.

The 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. rule in § 18-7.19 targets large vehicles. A vehicle that exceeds either 24 feet in length or 96 inches in width cannot park on any street within or adjacent to a residentially zoned area for longer than 30 minutes between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. of any day. The code defines a residentially zoned area to include any "R" district and the residential portions of any "P-C" district. Two service exceptions apply: a vehicle parked in connection with a service to or on a property in the same block, where more than 30 minutes is reasonably necessary to finish the work, and a construction or maintenance vehicle working on a street or on utilities in a street.

There is also a house-guest allowance. A house guest of the occupant can park a house car, or a vehicle with a camper temporarily attached, on the street or alley in front of the occupant's premises for a period not to exceed 14 days. The owner or user must place a notice on the windshield, dashboard or other conspicuous place showing the address where the person is a guest and the date the parking commenced, on a form issued by the city manager.

Section 18-7.19(c) separately prohibits using or occupying any vehicle, trailer, camper, house car or truck for human habitation within the city, apart from the house cars and campers allowed under the guest provision. Under § 18-7.1, the stopping and parking prohibitions apply at all times or at the times stated, except when a stop is needed to avoid conflict with other traffic or to follow a police officer or traffic control device. A time limit also does not excuse anyone from more restrictive Vehicle Code or city rules for a specific place.