Novato, CA Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)

Section 4-14.03 makes the periodic inspection a duty of the owner: the building, each apartment or guest room, and the real property must be open to the city's inspection once per calendar year or more frequently if needed. The Community Development Director or a designee runs the program and, under section 4-14.14, holds authority to write procedures, rules, and regulations, provided none supersede the section.

Notice comes first. Section 4-14.06 requires a minimum of 20 days of advance written notice of the date and time to the owner and to the tenants, mailed first class, with an address and phone number for questions. An official notice is also posted in a public area of the premises. Each year, by the first week of July, the owner must give the code enforcement division a current list of tenant mailing information.

Entry depends on consent (section 4-14.07). After showing city identification, code enforcement officials need the owner's or agent's consent to enter common or unrented areas, and the tenant's consent to enter rented areas, at reasonable times during daylight hours. If consent is refused or cannot be obtained, the city can obtain an inspection warrant from the court under Code of Civil Procedure Section 1822.50 et seq.

The annual housing inspection fee covers the city's administrative costs and is set by council resolution under section 2-20. The first re-inspection carries no fee, and each inspection after that costs $100 until violations are corrected (section 4-14.10). Unpaid fees accrue interest at the maximum rate permitted by law and can be recovered by civil action or by a recorded lien after a council hearing on at least 10 days of notice (sections 4-14.11 and 4-14.12).

Owners of apartment buildings with 16 or more apartments must also provide a resident caretaker, or a designated caretaker's office staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (section 4-14.13).