Housing Element 2023-2031 (6th Cycle)

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

The Housing Element is an important part of the Novato General Plan, laying out specific policies for addressing the City’s housing needs in compliance with State law and local interests. The Housing Element is updated on a regular “cycle”. Novato is currently operating within the 6th Housing Element cycle, addressing the City's housing needs for the next 8 years (2023-2031).

The Revised Housing Element will enable the City to preserve, improve, and allow the development of housing for all income segments of the community and demonstrates how the City intends to meet the regional housing needs (RHNA numbers) assigned by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). The RHNA for the City includes a total of 2090 housing units consisting of 570 Very Low Income, 328 Low Income, 332 Moderate Income, and 860 Above Moderate Income.

On May 7, 2024, the City Council adopted the Revised Housing Element (Resolution 2024-031). Subsequent to adoption, the City has began implementing the policies and programs detailed in the Housing Element. Upcoming public meetings, as well as a table detailing the City's progress regarding policy and program implementation, can be found below.

Revised 6th Cycle Housing Element - April 2024

"Just Cause" Tenant Protections Ordinance

DRAFT Tenant Protections Ordinance – August 2025

The Novato City Council will hold a public hearing and consider adoption of a Draft Tenant Protections Ordinance at their August 26, 2025, City Council meeting.

Click here to view the Powerpoint that was presented at the community workshops
Haga clic aquí para ver la presentación de PowerPoint que se presentó en los talleres comunitarios.

Check back to view the City of Novato’s Draft Tenant Protections Ordinance

Check back to view FAQs regarding the Draft Ordinance

Background

The City’s revised General Plan Housing Element (6th Cycle, 2023-2031) was adopted by the City Council on May 7, 2024. The Housing Element includes policies and programs intended to facilitate the production, protection, and preservation of housing in the City of Novato. In many instances, it is necessary to amend the City’s Municipal Code to implement programs and/or to respond to policy direction set forth by the Novato City Council. Accordingly, staff is processing a Draft Tenant Protections Ordinance to implement Housing Element Program 5.I and respond to Council’s direction to staff received at their May 20, 2025, Study Session on anti-displacement and tenant protections.

Program 5.I: Expand “just cause” eviction protections to all tenants

AB 1482, also known as the California Tenant Protections Act of 2019, is a statewide law that limits rent increases and requires "just cause" for eviction in many residential rental properties in California. It caps annual rent increases at 5% plus the percentage change in the cost of living (local Consumer Price Index), up to a maximum of 10%. Landlords must also have a valid "just cause" reason to terminate a tenancy for tenants who have occupied a unit for more than one year. Housing Element Program 5.I directs the City to consider a local just cause ordinance that expands tenant protections to include all rental units in Novato (with some exceptions), require tenant notifications, and provide clarifications regarding “just cause” and “no-fault” eviction procedures and requirements.

Novato City Council Anti-Displacement Study Session (May 20, 2025)

On May 20, 2025, the Council held a study session in response to the Rooted in Marin Anti-Displacement Strategies Report that had been presented at their May 13th meeting, to lessons learned from a red tag and tenant displacement event that transpired in the Northwest Quad of the City, and a status update on the Housing Element’s implementation plan and its anti-displacement program elements. Following the staff presentation and Council discussion, the Council directed staff to return by August 2025 with a Tenant Protections Ordinance. The Council expressed interest in adopting an ordinance to comply state law, implement Housing Element Program 5.I, and expand tenant protection requirements to include no-fault evictions due to red-tag, repair, rehab, and demolitions; and provisions for relocation assistance and right of return.

Share Your Feedback: Submit Questions & Comments

If you have any questions or comments on the proposed Draft Tenant Protections Ordinance, please send an email to housingelement@novato.gov or mail them to:

Tenant Protections Ordinance
City of Novato
922 Machin Avenue
Novato, CA 94945

You are also welcome to attend any of the following engagement opportunities to learn more about the draft ordinance:

Recent & Upcoming Meetings & Workshops

Date, time & location	Details
August 4, 2025, at 6pm Tenant Protection Ordinance (Property Owner, Landlord, and Property Representative Meeting) Zoom Teleconference Meeting	City staff will host an informational meeting and make a presentation intended for property owners, landlords, and property managers. All are welcome to attend and participate in the meeting. This meeting will be virtual (remote), and the meeting can be accessed via the Zoom meeting link in the column to the left.
August 5, 2025, at 3pm Tenant Protection Ordinance (Tenants and Tenant Advocates Meeting) Zoom Teleconference Meeting	City staff will host an informational meeting and make a presentation intended for tenants and tenant advocates. All are welcome to attend and participate in the meeting. This meeting will be virtual (remote), and the meeting can be accessed via the Zoom meeting link in the column to the left.
August 5, 2025, at 6pm Tenant Protection Ordinance (Tenants and Tenant Advocates Meeting) Spanish language translation presentation Lu Sutton Elementary Multipurpose Room 1800 Center Rd. Novato, CA 94947 ----------------- August 5, 2025, at 6pm Ordenanza de Proteccion al Inquilino (Reunion de Inquilinos y Defensores) Presentacion con traduccion al espanol Lu Sutton Elementary Multipurpose Room 1800 Center Rd. Novato, CA 94947	City staff will host an in-person informational meeting intended for tenants and tenant advocates. A presentation will be in English and Spanish. All are welcome to attend and participate in the meeting. --------------------- El personal de la Ciudad organizará una reunión informativa en persona dirigida a los inquilinos y defensores de los inquilinos. La presentación será en inglés y español. Todos son bienvenidos a asistir y participar en la reunión.
August 12, 2025, at 10am Tenant Protection Ordinance (League of Women Voters Land Use and Housing Committee Meeting) Zoom Teleconference Meeting	City staff will be making a presentation to the League of Women Voter’s Land Use and Housing Committee. More information regarding this virtual (remote) meeting is available at webpage linked in this column.
August 13, 2025, at 5pm Tenant Protection Ordinance (Housing and Homeless Committee) Novato City Hall, 901 Sherman Avenue	City staff will be making a presentation to the Novato Housing and Homeless Committee. The meeting agenda will be posted at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting time at the Novato Housing and Homeless Committee webpage.
August 18, 2025 To be determined (TBD)	To be determined (TBD)
August 19, 2025, at 4pm Tenant Protection Ordinance Information Booth Novato Farmer’s Market Sherman Ave between Grant Ave and De Long Ave, Novato	City staff will be available to answer questions regarding the draft Tenant Protection Ordinance that is scheduled to be presented to the City Council at a public hearing on August 26, 2025, at 6:00 PM.
August 26, 2025, at 6pm Tenant Protection Study Session City Council Meeting Novato City Hall, 901 Sherman Avenue	The Novato City Council will hold a study session to discuss key policy provisions for inclusion in a Tenant Protection Ordinance. The meeting agenda will be posted at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting time at the City Council Agendas and Minutes webpage.

Date, time & location

Details

August 4, 2025, at 6pm

Tenant Protection Ordinance (Property Owner, Landlord, and Property Representative Meeting)

Zoom Teleconference Meeting

City staff will host an informational meeting and make a presentation intended for property owners, landlords, and property managers. All are welcome to attend and participate in the meeting. This meeting will be virtual (remote), and the meeting can be accessed via the Zoom meeting link in the column to the left.

August 5, 2025, at 3pm

Tenant Protection Ordinance (Tenants and Tenant Advocates Meeting)

Zoom Teleconference Meeting

City staff will host an informational meeting and make a presentation intended for tenants and tenant advocates. All are welcome to attend and participate in the meeting. This meeting will be virtual (remote), and the meeting can be accessed via the Zoom meeting link in the column to the left.

August 5, 2025, at 6pm

Tenant Protection Ordinance (Tenants and Tenant Advocates Meeting)
Spanish language translation presentation

Lu Sutton Elementary Multipurpose Room
1800 Center Rd. Novato, CA 94947

-----------------

August 5, 2025, at 6pm

Ordenanza de Proteccion al Inquilino (Reunion de Inquilinos y Defensores)

Presentacion con traduccion al espanol

Lu Sutton Elementary Multipurpose Room
1800 Center Rd. Novato, CA 94947

City staff will host an in-person informational meeting intended for tenants and tenant advocates. A presentation will be in English and Spanish. All are welcome to attend and participate in the meeting.

---------------------

El personal de la Ciudad organizará una reunión informativa en persona dirigida a los inquilinos y defensores de los inquilinos. La presentación será en inglés y español. Todos son bienvenidos a asistir y participar en la reunión.

August 12, 2025, at 10am

Tenant Protection Ordinance (League of Women Voters Land Use and Housing Committee Meeting)

Zoom Teleconference Meeting

City staff will be making a presentation to the League of Women Voter’s Land Use and Housing Committee. More information regarding this virtual (remote) meeting is available at webpage linked in this column.

August 13, 2025, at 5pm
Tenant Protection Ordinance (Housing and Homeless Committee)

Novato City Hall, 901 Sherman Avenue

City staff will be making a presentation to the Novato Housing and Homeless Committee. The meeting agenda will be posted at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting time at the Novato Housing and Homeless Committee webpage.

August 18, 2025
To be determined (TBD)

To be determined (TBD)

August 19, 2025, at 4pm

Tenant Protection Ordinance
Information Booth
Novato Farmer’s Market

Sherman Ave between Grant Ave and De Long Ave, Novato

City staff will be available to answer questions regarding the draft Tenant Protection Ordinance that is scheduled to be presented to the City Council at a public hearing on August 26, 2025, at 6:00 PM.

August 26, 2025, at 6pm

Tenant Protection Study Session

City Council Meeting

Novato City Hall, 901 Sherman Avenue

The Novato City Council will hold a study session to discuss key policy provisions for inclusion in a Tenant Protection Ordinance. The meeting agenda will be posted at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting time at the City Council Agendas and Minutes webpage.

Plan Implementation

Policy / Program(s)	Implementation Status
1.A Rezone for RHNA shortfall	On January 23, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1711, which rezoned sites for RHNA shortfall.
1.B Streamline the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)	On January 28, 2025, City Council adopted Ord. No. 1721, amending the City's ADU and JADU ordinances for consistency with state regulations. City has contracted with ADU Marin to provide information to the public regarding ADUs. Permit-ready plan coordination is in-process.
3.A Ensure the Affordable Housing Requirements Ordinance remains consistent with State Density Bonus law.	On September 10, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No 1718, which amended the zoning ordinance regarding affordable housing requirements associated with density bonus.
3.C Adopt Marin County objective design standards for multi-family housing.	On October 10, 2023, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1705, which established objective design standards for all residential developments with two or more units. Processing times need to be reviewed by December 2025.
3.D Design review and use permit process improvements.	Ongoing. Next training will occur in the 4th quarter (October through December) of 2025.
4.A Allow emergency shelters consistent with State law.	On March 25, 2025, the City Council adopted Ordinance 1723, which amended the zoning code regarding the permitting of emergency shelters.
4.B Allow Low Barrier Navigation Centers consistent with state law .	On September 10, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No 1718, which amended the zoning ordinance regarding low barrier navigation centers.
4.C Allow farmworker/employee housing consistent with State law.	On September 10, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No 1718, which amended the zoning ordinance regarding farmworker/employee housing.
4.D Allow Single Room Occupancy units (SROs) to facilitate the provision of affordable housing.	On September 10, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No 1718, which amended the zoning ordinance regarding SRO units.
4.E Allow community/residential care facilities consistent with State law.	On March 25, 2025, the City Council adopted Ordinance 1723, which amended the zoning code regarding the permitting and allowances of community/residential care facilities.
5.C Amend the City's condominium conversion ordinance.	On September 10, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No 1718, which amended the municipal code regarding condominium conversions.
5.F Preserve mobile home parks.	The City replaced a sewer pump at the Marin Valley Mobile Country Club in the fall of 2023. On July 9, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1716, which established additional rent controls for residential units within mobile home parks.
5.G Regulate the displacement of residential units.	May 13, 2025 – Rooted in Marin: Strategies for Anti-Displacement was presented to the Novato City Council by Chris Logan, a Partnership for Bay Future Fellow. May 20, 2025 – The Novato Community Development Department presented a draft Anti-Displacement and Tenant Protection workplan to the City Council.
5.I Expand “just cause” eviction protections to all tenants.	May 13, 2025 – Rooted in Marin: Strategies for Anti-Displacement was presented to the Novato City Council by Chris Logan, a Partnership for Bay Future Fellow. May 20, 2025 – The Novato Community Development Department presented a draft Anti-Displacement and Tenant Protection workplan to the City Council.
5.J Enforce Statewide tenant protections (AB 1482) locally and require participation in non-binding mediation for rent increases greater than five percent.	May 13, 2025 – Rooted in Marin: Strategies for Anti-Displacement was presented to the Novato City Council by Chris Logan, a Partnership for Bay Future Fellow. May 20, 2025 – The Novato Community Development Department presented a draft Anti-Displacement and Tenant Protection workplan to the City Council.
5.L Assistance for renters with animal companions or pets.	July 8, 2025 – The City mailed a survey to all known property owners/property managers to determine rental properties that allow pets as part of rental agreements. Posting of survey results on webpage are pending.
6.D Implement General Plan policies related to the Northwest Quadrant neighborhood.	July 22, 2025 – The City Council approved the introduction (1st reading) of a Dangerous Buildings ordinance to address buildings, including rental properties, that are not safe for habitation. The ordinance, once enacted, will provide additional enforcement options for City staff.