Nestled in the northern hills of Marin County, CA, Novato is located 29 miles north of San Francisco v. Pacifica Foundation 438 U.S. 726 (1978). B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I.
The City of Novato welcomes comments and asks that all conversations remain civil. Individuals are responsible for the content of their comments. The City does not discriminate against any particular viewpoint. However, the City may delete any of the following:
■ Advertisements or solicitations of any kind
■ Comments that threaten or harm the reputation of any person or organization
■ Comments th
at suggest or encourage illegal activity
■ Multiple off-topic posts or repetitive posts that are copied and pasted
■ Personal information including, but not limited to, email addresses, telephone numbers, mailing addresses or identification numbers
■ Violent, obscene, profane, hateful or racist comments
Overall, the City encourages all individuals to be respectful and contribute to the discussion. If you continually violate this policy, the City may limit your ability to comment in the future. If you have any questions or comments about this policy, please e-mail [email protected]. The policy is as follows:
The City of Novato (City) has established social media sites to provide the community with accurate, relevant, and timely information about the City and to create a mechanism for communication about the City between City staff and the public. The social media sites used by the City are a very limited public forum and must conform to the policy herein. The City’s website (www.novato.org) serves as the City’s primary and predominant online presence. The following policy applies to all of the City’s social media sites including Facebook and Twitter. POLICY
The City intends to promote effective communication and maintain a respectful dialogue. In that spirit, the rules for posting external comments on the City’s social media sites are strictly enforced. Our moderators use these rules to ensure that posted comments are suitable for all readers, while respecting a range of opinions and points of view. Posted information and comments on City social media sites must comply with the following regulations:
A. Comments must be civil and may not contain potentially libelous, malicious, offensive, threatening, profane images or language, including but not limited to indecent words that were the subject of F.C.C. Comments that compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems will not be allowed. Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability or sexual orientation are not permitted. Advertising or promotional announcements are not permitted. Comments must be within the scope of the topic under discussion. Comments cannot include personally-identifiable information, such as an address, phone number, social security number or other sensitive information. Comments cannot be of an obscene or pornographic nature or include links thereto (including images that contain nudity or are of a sexual nature.) Comments cannot represent a person other than the one posting the comment. Comments containing links to other websites or pages must be relevant to the topic. J. Comments cannot serve electoral campaign purposes. Political messages will not be published except for announcements of City elections or voter encouragement campaigns. K. Comments encouraging illegal activity are not permitted. L. Participants are responsible for what they post. Comments must not breach any law, confidentiality, or violate a legal ownership interest of another party. M. External comments and posts to the City’s social media sites do not reflect the opinions or policies of the City, its officials, or employees. The administrator/moderator may remove any and all postings and comments at the administrator/moderator’s sole discretion. City of Novato staff will post and monitor discourse on its social media sites. Postings on this site are not retained by the City. However, please be aware that, under certain circumstances, content appearing on this page may be subject to the California Public Records Act and subject to disclosure by the City if requested. This may include information about you, that you make available through your privacy settings on this site, and on your own pages. Comments by external parties on City social media sites are not official public testimony concerning any project or program. An opinion expressed on a City social media site is posted for discussion only and is not a substitute for a formal statement in a public hearing process. All users of a City social media site are also subject to the site’s own privacy policy. The City has no control over a social media site’s privacy policy or the company’s modifications to it. The City also has no control over content, commercial advertisements, or other postings produced by the social media company that may appear on the City’s site, as part of the site’s environment. The City assumes no liability for any inaccuracies these social media sites may contain and does not guarantee that the social media sites will be uninterrupted or error-free. The City does not respond to service requests and other media inquiries on the social media sites. If you have a questions, concern, or comment, we encourage you to visit www.novato.org or call 415.899.8900. Questions concerning the use and operation of the City’s social media sites should be directed to the Communications Division at [email protected].
06/07/2026
Tenant Protections Ordinance Q&A Session in English & Spanish on June 11 👥💬
Novato’s Tenant Protections Ordinance helps support stable housing, reduce displacement, and strengthen protections for renters — while preserving key rights for landlords.
The City invites tenants, landlords and community members to attend our online, drop-in Q&A session to learn more about the ordinance:
📆 Thursday, June 11 from 5-6pm (English and Spanish)
👉 Zoom details and additional information available in English & Spanish at novato.gov/tenantprotections
[Español]
Sesion de preguntas y respuestas sobre la ordenanza de protección al inquilino, en inglés y español, en 11 de junio 👥💬
La Ordenanza de protección al inquilino de Novato está ahora en vigor para fortalecer la protección, reducir los desalojos y apoyar una vivienda más segura y estable para los inquilinos, manteniendo al mismo tiempo los derechos fundamentales de los propietarios.
La ciudad invita a inquilinos, propietarios y miembros de la comunidad a asistir a nuestra sesión virtual de preguntas y respuestas para conocer más sobre la ordenanza:
📆 Jueves 11 de junio de 5:00 a 6:00 p.m. (inglés y español)
👉Detalles de Zoom y más información disponibles en inglés y español en el siguiente enlace novato.gov/tenantprotections
06/04/2026
UPDATE: Hamilton Marsh Vegetation Management Project
Vegetation and debris cleanup near the Hamilton marsh and skate park area continues to make steady progress and remains on schedule.
So far, crews have removed four large debris bins of garbage and abandoned materials from the marsh — about 32,000 pounds of debris. This work has significantly improved conditions in the area while helping reduce wildfire risk.
Next week, crews will begin work in a new section of the marsh, starting with vegetation removal followed by debris cleanup.
This effort is part of an ongoing partnership between the City of Novato and the Novato Fire Protection District. Contractors are working in phases throughout the Hamilton marsh and skate park areas to reduce hazardous vegetation, remove debris, and keep our community spaces clean and safe. The first phase of the project began last November.
06/04/2026
A neutral hearing officer has ordered the owner of a Romar Court apartment building to reimburse the City of Novato $89,707 for tenant relocation assistance, City staff and legal costs, and penalties after nine households were displaced due to unsafe living conditions in April 2025. The decision may be appealed in court.
To ensure displaced residents received timely assistance, the City partnered with Community Action Marin, Legal Aid of Marin, North Marin Community Services, and the Novato Unified School District to support affected residents with housing resources, legal support, and relocation assistance equal to two months market-rate rent and support for utility deposits.
The City remains committed to protecting tenants, supporting housing stability, and enforcing health and safety standards throughout our community.
Novato City Hall Vote Center - Parking Update (Election Day)
Novato City Hall (901 Sherman Avenue) is open for in-person voting and ballot drop-off on June 2 until 8pm.
⚠️Important Parking Update
Starting at 2pm, Sherman Avenue will close for the farmers’ market
👉No parking on Sherman Avenue from 2pm-8pm
🚗Parking options nearby
➡️ City Administrative Offices Lot - 922 Machin Avenue
➡️ City Administrative Offices Underground Lot - Cain Lane (after 5pm only)
➡️ Depot Lot - Novato Downtown SMART Station
➡️ Whole Foods Garage - Level 2
➡️ Woodside Office Center Lower Lot - 7250 Redwood Blvd
⏰Please plan ahead and give yourself extra time for parking and walking after 2pm.
🗳️Other Novato Vote Center Locations (Open June 2 until 8pm)
➡️ United Methodist Church, 1473 S Novato Blvd
➡️ Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church, 1110 Highland Drive
➡️ Novato School District Offices, 1015 Seventh Street
As part of Novato’s 2026 Annual Roadway Rehabilitation Project, essential storm drain repairs will take place on Redwood Boulevard beginning Monday, June 1. Crews will remove and replace a damaged storm drain line to help maintain long-term roadway stability and prevent future pavement issues.
📆 Monday, June 1 – Friday, June 5
📍 Redwood Blvd near Lamont Avenue
⏰ 7am – 6pm
🚧 Traffic Impacts
One northbound lane on Redwood Blvd will be closed near Lamont Avenue, with minor traffic delays expected. Please drive with caution, observe posted signage and use alternate routes when possible. All work is tentative and subject to change.
This work is an important first step in the 2026 Annual Roadway Rehabilitation project. Completing these repairs now will help reduce the need for future construction on the new roadway and protected bike lanes, saving time, reducing costs and minimizing disruptions to the community.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to improve Novato's streets.
Join us on the steps of Novato City Hall as we kick off Pride Month with a community Flag Raising Ceremony.
📅 Monday, June 1
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Novato City Hall, 901 Sherman Avenue
Come celebrate, connect, and show your support as we raise the Pride flag together.
🍧 Bonus: The first 50 attendees will receive a FREE sweet treat from Kona Ice!
Bring your friends, family, and community spirit. We can’t wait to celebrate with you.
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Pride Month starts Monday!
Join us on the steps of Novato City Hall as we kick off Pride Month with a community Flag Raising Ceremony.
📅 Monday, June 1
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Novato City Hall, 901 Sherman Avenue
Come celebrate, connect, and show your support as we raise the Pride flag together.
🍧 Bonus: The first 50 attendees will receive a FREE sweet treat from Kona Ice!
Bring your friends, family, and community spirit. We can’t wait to celebrate with you.
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
05/29/2026
Novato Tenant Protections Ordinance Now in Effect 📣
The City of Novato’s Tenant Protections Ordinance helps support stable housing, reduce displacement, and strengthen protections for renters — while preserving key rights for landlords.
Key features include:
➡️ Relocation assistance and right-to-return protections for tenants displaced due to major repairs or unsafe building conditions
➡️ Permanent relocation payments for certain no-fault evictions
➡️ Continued state-law protections for landlords in cases involving non-payment of rent or lease violations
➡️ Expanded tenant noticing requirements in English, Spanish, and other languages upon request
Important updates for landlords:
👉 Provide tenants with a written Notice of Tenant Rights within 90 days of the ordinance going into effect, and at key points during a tenancy. The City is offering a Summary of Tenant Rights in English and Spanish that landlords can use to meet this requirement.
👉 Submit a copy of any eviction notice to the City within 10 days of serving it.
Note: Failure to follow these notice requirements could make certain lease changes or eviction notices invalid.
Community Q&A Sessions 👥💬
To help our community better understand this new ordinance, we’re hosting online, drop-in sessions:
📆 Tuesday, June 2 from 3-4pm
📆 Thursday, June 4 from 3-4pm
📆 Thursday, June 11 from 5-6pm (English and Spanish) / Jueves, 11 de junio, de 5:00 a 6:00 p. m. (inglés y español)
Resources and Zoom links for Q&A sessions: novato.gov/tenantprotections
05/29/2026
💧National Water Safety Month💧
Earlier this month, Novato City Council issued a proclamation recognizing May 2026 as National Water Safety Month in Novato.
Water safety awareness and swim education are more important than ever. Learning water safety skills and participating in swim lessons can help prevent drowning and save lives, while giving people of all ages and abilities the confidence to safely enjoy the water.
We are to offer aquatic programs at the Hamilton Community Pool — now open for summer 2026 🙌 — for all ages and abilities, including swim lessons, adaptive swim lessons, lap swim, water exercise, Junior Lifeguard Camps and more! 👉 Sign up for aquatics programming at novato.gov/regforfun
We also want to thank our dedicated lifeguards, swim instructors, and aquatics staff who help create a safe, welcoming, and fun environment for our community every day. 🏊☀️