Novato, CA Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Section 14-10.1 of the Novato Municipal Code covers a public sidewalk, public pedestrian way, public street, and publicly-owned open space, creek or creek right-of-way. Three acts are listed there: consume, dispense and furnish. The street and sidewalk section does not list possession; the park section does. Without a permit from the chief of police, any of the listed acts in those places is unlawful.

The permit application goes on a form provided by the police department and must be submitted at least 30 days before the date of dispensation on the public property. The chief of police weighs the time, place and manner of the event, the public health and safety factors, the appearance of the city property if the permit were granted, any adverse background factors involving the applicant or the event, and the best interests of the city. The chief can deny the application if granting it would not be in the public interest. Any decision of the chief can be appealed directly to the city council. A granted permit specifies the time and location for the consumption, dispensation and furnishing of the alcoholic beverages.

Section 14-10.2 is stricter inside city parks, playgrounds and recreation areas: possessing, consuming, dispensing or furnishing alcoholic beverages is unlawful there, except as part of a group activity in a designated group picnic area for which a park permit has been issued under section 10-4, and only after obtaining the appropriate permit from the city allowing possession, consumption and dispensing. That means two approvals: the park permit and the alcohol permit.

Section 14-10.3 provides that the section does not make punishable any act already prohibited by California law. Separately, § 14-2.1 makes it unlawful to be drunk or intoxicated on any public highway, in or about any motor vehicle, in any public place, or in any place open to public view in the incorporated territory of the city.