Permit guides

ADU Permits in Novato: a Homeowner's Guide

What you can build, which permits you need, and how review actually works — in plain language.

Last updated October 2026. Rules change; always confirm current requirements with the city before you build.

Who handles your permit

Novato's Community Development Department runs ADU permitting from the city's administrative offices at 922 Machin Avenue, Novato, CA 94945. After a two-year overhaul completed in 2025, applications go through the new Novato Permits Portal. The city also runs an all-agency Permit Advice Center on the first and third Thursday of each month — walk-ins welcome, with city staff joined by the Novato Fire Protection District, the North Marin Water District, and the Novato Sanitary District. If your property is in unincorporated Marin County, it's the County of Marin's Community Development Agency instead — a separate system.

What you can build

California state law sets the baseline, and Novato follows it:

1,200 sq ftMax for a detached ADU

50% / 1,200Max for an attached ADU (50% of the main home, up to 1,200 sq ft)

500 sq ftMax for a Junior ADU, carved from existing space

16 ftHeight limit for most detached ADUs

4 ftMinimum rear and side setbacks for detached ADUs

60 daysState review clock on a complete application — ministerial, no hearing

There is no minimum lot size for an ADU under state law. After you submit through the portal, an invoice is typically created within about a week — review moves once fees are paid.

Pre-approved plans

Novato has been building toward a preapproved ADU plan program for years: an SB 2-funded effort commissioned detached ADU plan types (500–850 square feet, 16-foot max height, in Craftsman, Mediterranean, and Contemporary styles), and the city's Housing Element commits to preapproved, permit-ready plans developed with small-home manufacturers. Ask staff for the current list — availability has evolved. If nothing fits your lot, the custom route is the norm: full plan check through the portal.

Pre-approved doesn't mean permit-free. You still need a building permit, and reviewers still verify site placement, foundation conditions, utility connections, and fire access for your specific property.

What goes into the submittal

Site plan — lot lines, existing structures, setbacks, easements, utility locations, and 2-foot topographic contours on hillside lots.
Architectural plans — floor plans, elevations, sections, roof plan.
Structural details and calculations — foundation, framing, shear walls, connections.
Title 24 energy compliance — required forms and documentation.
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical layouts.
Utility connection plans — water (North Marin Water District) and sewer (Novato Sanitary District) connections.
Completed portal application forms — with owner authorization where applicable.

Where applications usually get stuck

Wildfire zones. Much of Novato sits in wildland-urban interface areas — construction standards, defensible space, and hydrant access are real review items.
Hillside lots. Hillside areas trigger 2-foot topographic contour requirements and often geotechnical reports.
Unpermitted work. The city has a formal unpermitted-work remediation policy — if there's an unpermitted conversion already, get ahead of it before applying.
District handoffs. Fire, water, and sanitation are three separate districts — the advice center exists precisely because this coordination used to stall projects.

Not sure where to start? That's the part we do. We look at your property, map the requirements, coordinate the plans and specialists, and manage the submittal and corrections — one point of contact.

Tell us what you need help with.

Not sure where to start? That's what we're here for.

Send your project

Erik — (916) 540-8960 · Vall — (916) 956-8106
office@pcg-engineering.pro