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Chapter XIX — ZONING

Division 19.50 — ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY

Novato Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · Novato

19.50.010 - Purpose of Division.

This Division describes the authority and responsibilities of City staff and official bodies in the administration of this Zoning Ordinance, in addition to the Council.

(Ord. No. 1576, § 2 (Exh. A, amd.), 10-23-2012)

19.50.020 - Planning Agency Defined.

The functions of a Planning Agency shall be performed by the Novato City Council, Planning Commission, and Community Development Department, in compliance with State law (Government Code Sections 65100, et seq.)

(Ord. No. 1576, § 2 (Exh. A, amd.), 10-23-2012)

19.50.030 - City Council.

The Novato City Council, in matters related to the City's planning process, shall perform the duties and functions prescribed to the Council in this Zoning Ordinance.

(Ord. No. 1576, § 2 (Exh. A, amd.), 10-23-2012)

19.50.040 - Planning Commission.

A.

Establishment. The Novato Planning Commission is established by Section 2-10 (Planning Commission and Department of Community Development) of the Municipal Code, which identifies the membership, terms of office, removal, and rules of order.

B.

Duties and Authority. The Commission shall perform the duties and functions required by Section 2-10 of the Municipal Code, and the duties and functions prescribed to the Commission in this Zoning Ordinance.

(Ord. No. 1576, § 2 (Exh. A, amd.), 10-23-2012)

19.50.050 - Design Review Commission (DRC).

A.

Establishment. The Novato Design Review Commission is established by Section 2-11 (Design Review Commission) of the Municipal Code, which identifies the membership, terms of office, removal, and rules of order.

B.

Duties and Authority. The DRC shall perform the duties and functions required by Section 2-11 of the Municipal Code, and the duties and functions prescribed to the DRC in this Zoning Ordinance.

(Ord. No. 1576, § 2 (Exh. A, amd.), 10-23-2012)

19.50.060 - Zoning Administrator.

A.

Appointment. The Zoning Administrator shall be an employee of the Department appointed by the City Manager.

B.

Duties and Authority. The Zoning Administrator shall:

Perform the duties and functions prescribed to the Zoning Administrator in this Zoning Ordinance, including action on land use permit applications, in compliance with Section 19.40.020 (Authority for Land Use and Zoning Decisions), Table 4-1 (Review Authority), State law (Government Code Section 65901 et seq.), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the Novato Environmental Review Guidelines;

Review and act upon appeals from Department interpretations of this Zoning Ordinance, in compliance with Division 19.54 (Appeals); and

Perform other responsibilities assigned by the City Manager.

C.

Delegation and Supervision. The responsibilities of the Zoning Administrator may also be carried out by Department staff under the supervision of the Zoning Administrator. When the Zoning Administrator designates a Department staff person as a deputy Zoning Administrator, the staff person shall perform the duties assigned by the Zoning Administrator in addition to those listed in Subsection B. above, as appropriate to the personnel title of the designee.

(Ord. No. 1576, § 2 (Exh. A, amd.), 10-23-2012)

19.50.070 - Community Development Director.

A.

Appointment. The Community Development Director shall be appointed by the City Manager.

B.

Duties and Authority. The Director shall perform the duties assigned by Section 2-10.7 of the Municipal Code, and shall also:

Have the responsibility to perform all of the functions designated by State law (Government Code Section 65103 - Planning Agency Functions);

Have the responsibility and authority to take action on applications for all administrative permits and approvals issued by the Department;

Perform other responsibilities assigned by the City Manager;

Perform the duties and functions prescribed in this Zoning Ordinance, including the initial review of land use applications, in compliance with State law (Government Code Sections 65901 et seq.), Section 19.40.020 (Authority for Land Use and Zoning Decisions), Table 4-1 (Review Authority), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the Novato Environmental Review Guidelines; and

C.

Delegation and Supervision. The responsibilities of the Director may also be carried out by Department staff under the supervision of the Director. When the Director designates a Department staff person as a deputy, the staff person shall perform the duties assigned by the Director in addition to those listed in Subsection B. above, as appropriate to the personnel title of the designee.

(Ord. No. 1576, § 2 (Exh. A, amd.), 10-23-2012)

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▸Contents — Novato Municipal Code
Novato Municipal Code
  1. Chapter I — GENERAL
  2. Chapter II — ADMINISTRATION
  3. Chapter III — ANIMAL CONTROL
  4. Chapter IV — BUILDING AND HOUSING
  5. Chapter V — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
  6. Chapter VI — EXCAVATIONS AND FILLS
  7. Chapter VII — HEALTH
  8. Chapter VIII — LICENSING IN GENERAL
  9. Chapter IX — LAND SUBDIVISION
  10. Chapter X — PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
  11. Chapter XI — PERSONNEL
  12. Chapter XII — PLANNING
  13. Chapter XIII — PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT AGR…
  14. Chapter XIV — POLICE REGULATIONS
  15. Chapter XV — STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
  16. Chapter XVI — TAXATION
  17. Chapter XVII — TREES AND SHRUBS
  18. Chapter XVIII — TRAFFIC
  19. ▸Chapter XIX — ZONING
    Overview
    1. Article 1 — PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY OF ZONING ORDINANCE
    2. Division 19.04 — ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS, ADOPTION O…
    3. Division 19.06 — DEVELOPMENT AND LAND USE APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
    4. Division 19.08 — AGRICULTURAL AND RESOURCE ZONING DISTRICTS
    5. Division 19.10 — RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
    6. Division 19.12 — COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
    7. Division 19.14 — SPECIAL PURPOSE ZONING DISTRICTS
    8. Division 19.16 — OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICTS
    9. Division 19.20 — GENERAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND USE STANDARDS
    10. Division 19.21 — ART PROGRAM
    11. Division 19.22 — GENERAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
    12. Division 19.23 — ADULT-ORIENTED BUSINESSES
    13. Division 19.24 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING REQUIREMENTS
    14. Division 19.25 — DENSITY BONUS
    15. Division 19.26 — HILLSIDE AND RIDGELINE PROTECTION
    16. Division 19.27 — RESIDENTIAL OBJECTIVE ARCHITECTURE STANDARDS
    17. Division 19.28 — LANDSCAPING
    18. Division 19.30 — PARKING AND LOADING
    19. Division 19.31 — PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
    20. Division 19.32 — SIGNS
    21. Division 19.34 — STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC LAND USES
    22. Division 19.35 — WATERWAY AND RIPARIAN PROTECTION
    23. Division 19.36 — WETLAND PROTECTION AND RESTORATION
    24. Division 19.38 — WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
    25. Division 19.39 — WOODLAND AND TREE PRESERVATION
    26. Division 19.40 — PERMIT APPLICATION FILING AND PROCESSING
    27. Division 19.42 — PERMIT APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL
    28. Division 19.44 — PERMIT IMPLEMENTATION, TIME LIMITS, AND EXTEN…
    29. Division 19.48 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
    30. Division 19.50 — ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY
    31. Division 19.52 — NONCONFORMING USES, STRUCTURES, AND PARCELS
    32. Division 19.54 — APPEALS
    33. Division 19.56 — GENERAL PLAN, ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP…
    34. Division 19.58 — PUBLIC HEARINGS
    35. Division 19.59 — ZONING ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT
    36. Division 19.60 — DEFINITIONS/GLOSSARY
  20. Chapter XX — RENT CONTROL—MOBILEHOMES
  21. Chapter XXI — NOVATO POLITICAL FAIRNESS CAMPAIGN ACT

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