City of Novato, CA

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Municipal and State Code Complaints/Inquiries 

Code Enforcement staff investigates and enforces violations of the City of Novato Municipal Code on private property, some state building codes and state health and safety codes. 

Upon receipt of a complaint, staff will begin an investigation, reach out and inform property owner(s)/manager(s) if a violation does in fact exist.

Staff will educate both the complainant and property owner/manager at the property of relevant codes, best path to compliance if a violation does exist. If a permit is required to bring the property into compliance, Code Enforcement staff will assist the permit applicant from date of submission to final inspection.

Periodic Housing Inspection Program and Caretaker Requirements. 

The program has been in effect since 1973, originally administered by the County of Marin Environmental Health Department, under an agreement between the County and City.  

In 2007, the City of Novato took over the program under Municipal Code 4-14. On a periodic basis, Code Enforcement staff inspects hotels/motels, and multi-family communities consisting of three or more units.

The purpose is to ensure proper maintenance, compliance with Uniform Housing, Building, Municipal, Health and Safety Codes of rental housing. Identify and require correction of substandard housing conditions, and assist property owners to prevent conditions of deterioration and blight that could adversely affect economic conditions and the quality of life.

Education of both the property owner(s)/manager(s) and tenant(s) is a key component of this program, from changing state and municipal codes to basic house keeping standards and skills. 

So, you have received an Administrative Order in the mail, or found at your doorstep and you are not sure what this is about. Basically, an Administrative Order is a warning notice.

Usually due to a concern brought to the City's attention by a fellow resident, staff found a violation on your property based on adopted code standards.

Your first steps you should take is to read the order carefully. The order will spell out what was seen by City staff, the code section(s) of the violation(s), and what actions you are to take to correct the issue(s) within a specific timeframe for completion.

If you do not understand the order and/or you need clarification, reach out to the officer listed in the order as soon as possible. DO NOT wait until the deadline date.

If the violation(s) do not require a permit, simply make the corrections as noted within the timeframe given and contact the officer to schedule an inspection. You may not have to be there if the violation(s) are within public view, but of course you can if you would like to.

If the violation(s) does require a permit for correction whether in whole or part, applications and supporting documentation would be required to be submitted to our building and/or planning division(s). This would be listed on the order. But you may still wish to speak with the officer for clarification as there are further timelines to follow. Further conversation with our building staff would also be beneficial and highly recommended. See How to Get a Building Permit or Planning Division Forms (applications). Public Works Department permit applications, and information can be found by clicking here.

What happens if I do not follow the Administrative Order?

If you do not follow the order by correcting the violation(s) or fail to obtain a permit, an Administrative Citation and Order will be issued. Basically, a fine. 

If this is your first order for this type of violation(s), the citation is $100.00 a day, per violation beginning from the missed compliance date and/or in the case of a permit, missing a milestone date. See Novato Municipal Code 1-7.  Citations will continue to accrue each day until the order has been followed. If this is the second or third time receiving an order for this type of violation within 12 months from the prior case, the daily citation could be higher. 

If the violation(s) are still not corrected after a Citation and Order, the City may record a Notice of Noncompliance on the property title and/or hold a public hearing in front of the Zoning Housing and Building Codes Appeals Board or a Hearing Officer, asking the board to declare the property a public nuisance. This carries additional fines/fees and will open the door for possible court action.

In all cases, staff will attempt to speak with you before an Administrative Order is issued. We do prefer to have a conversation regarding your property so that we may better assist you in bringing your home/property into compliance. If you have any questions regarding code standards, feel free to contact us. 

There are many conditions on a property that may be in violation of the City of Novato Municipal Code or California Building Code, some conditions are more common than others. 

Please Note: Code Enforcement only investigates violations on private property.

Violations can be reported by completing the Code Enforcement Complaint Form or by clicking the REPORT A CONCERN button above. In order for a complaint to be investigated, the following information is required: 

• location of alleged violation
• property owner name and phone number (if known)
• description of alleged violation
• Your name, phone number, address and email address (this information is confidential)

Complaints are investigated in the order they are submitted. Any possible violations which are or may be safety issues do take priority over all other complaints. A Code Enforcement Officer may contact you if further information is required. Note: Anonymous and/or incomplete complaints are not investigated.   

Denunciar una infracción de código

Las infracciones se pueden reportar completando el Formulario de Quejas de Cumplimiento de Códigos. Para que una queja sea investigada, se requiere la siguiente información:

• ubicación de la posible violación
• nombre del propietario y número de teléfono del propietario (si se conoce)
• descripción de la posible violación
• Su nombre, número de teléfono, dirección y dirección de correo electrónico (esta información es confidencial)
• Por favor, imprima en inglés si es posible

Las quejas se investigan en el orden en que se presentan. Cualquier posible violación que sea o pueda ser problemas de seguridad tienen prioridad sobre todas las demás quejas. Un oficial de cumplimiento de código puede ponerse en contacto con usted si se requiere más información. Nota: Las quejas anónimas y/o incompletas no se investigan. 

What occurs when I submit a complaint? 

FIRST: Please verify the property is within the City limits. The residential portion of Bel Marin Keys is NOT within the City limits. Center Rd. from 2566 and up, Trish Dr. from 108 and up. Indian Valley Rd. from 1526 and up are areas not within the City limits. Other areas including Atherton Ave., some areas of Olive Ave., Ignacio, as well as some rural areas are not within the City limits. If you are unsure, please call the City Administrative Offices at 415.899.8989.

For all code complaints, staff will perform a site visit and attempt personal contact. If a violation is confirmed, City staff will request compliance. This may be verbally and/or by a written Administrative Order. If the individual responsible for the situation appears unwilling to voluntarily correct the code violation in a timely manner, an Administrative Citation may be issued. 

In extreme situations the City may take court action if the situation poses a significant, immediate or imminent health and safety risk to the community, or if the individual continues to ignore previous orders/citations.

What Penalties Result From Code Violations?

Voluntary compliance is our goal. However, in cases where the individual responsible for the code violation does not comply, the individual may be subject to fines (citation) and other penalties including cost recovery fees may be imposed.

If the individual continues to ignore previous orders/citations a NOTICE OF NONCOMPLIANCE is recorded on the property title and/or a pubic hearing will be scheduled in front of the Housing, Zoning and Building Codes Appeals Board where staff will ask the board to declare the property a PUBLIC NUISANCE under municipal code 1-6.2. A finding of a public nuisance carries a fee in excess of $1,500.00, plus any other fines/fees already imposed. Board will order the owner(s)/manager(s) to abate the violation within a specific time and pay all fees/fines.

What occurs if the person responsible does not abide by the boards order? 

Failure to abide by the board's order will result in staff bringing the matter to municipal  court, asking a judge to either order the owner(s)/manager(s) to comply or permit the City to enter the property to abate all violations.  All costs associated with any court action are billed to the owner(s)/manager(s) and a Special Assessment is placed on the property title. 

Code Enforcement does not investigate/enforce:

a. Vehicles parked on the street for more than 72 hours (Police Department Traffic Division nonemergency number, 415.897.1122)

b. Noise complaints which occur after normal office hours and weekends. (Police Department nonemergency number, 415.897.1122)

c. Loud parties/gatherings (Police Department nonemergency number 415.897.1122)

d. Excessive dog barking. (Marin Humane Society at 415.883.4621. After normal business hours and weekends Police Department, nonemergency number 415.897.1122.)

e. Sidewalk vendors. (Police Department nonemergency number, 415.897.1122, Public Works Department, 415.899.8246 and County of Marin Environmental Health Services 415.473.6907)

f. Tree branches or bushes hanging over property lines; tree leaves/needles from neighboring property(s). This is a civil issue.

g. Spare the Air Day Complaints: Bay Area Air Quality Management District, 1.800.334.6367 or https://www.baaqmd.gov/online-services/air-pollution-complaints

h. Business Licenses. City of Novato Finance Department 415.899.8900.

i. Covenants, Conditions, & Restrictions (CC&R) or HOA rules/bylaws

j. Property line disputes and trespassing