Novato, CA Public Conduct: Jaywalking (2026)

The City of Novato regulates pedestrians in Article 18-8 of Chapter XVIII (Traffic) of its Municipal Code. Three sections matter.

Section 18-8.1 says no pedestrian can cross a roadway other than at a crosswalk in any business district. The crosswalk-only requirement is tied to business districts as printed; the section does not extend it to other zones.

Section 18-8.2 carries no district limit. No pedestrian can cross a roadway at any place other than by a route at right angles to the curb or by the shortest route to the opposite curb, except in a marked crosswalk. A crossing outside a marked crosswalk therefore has to follow one of those two routes.

Section 18-8.3 addresses standing rather than crossing. No person can stand in any roadway or in a crosswalk other than in a safety zone if that action interferes with the lawful movement of traffic. The section does not apply to any public officer or employee, or to an employee of a public utility, when necessarily upon a street in line of duty.

The code also protects pedestrians from other users of public space. Under § 18-9.4(b), bicycles can be ridden on sidewalks except where posted otherwise, with due care, and pedestrians have the right-of-way at all times while on the sidewalk. Under § 18-6.2, no person can ride a skateboard, in-line skates, scooter or similar device on a sidewalk where signs approved by the city council are posted prohibiting it.