Novato Tenant Protections: 2026 Relocation and Notice Guidance

Official source: https://www.novato.gov/Home/Components/News/News/6944/637
Source retrieved: 2026-09-28
Date window: The City announcement was posted May 29, 2026 and says the ordinance adopted April 28, 2026 is now in effect.
Scope retained: Official City implementation guidance for the 2026 Tenant Protections Ordinance: no-fault displacement relocation assistance and right-to-return protections, a written tenant-rights notice within 90 days and at key points in tenancy, and City receipt of eviction notices within 10 days. It does not set a general rent cap, determine coverage of a particular tenancy, or provide legal advice.

Limitation: This is a date-bounded official operational guidance snapshot, not the full municipal code. Verify the live official source, property-specific coverage, exemptions, and any later rate, fee, or deadline before relying on it.

Source: https://www.novato.gov/Home/Components/News/News/6944/637

City of Novato Tenant Protections Ordinance Now in Effect

Post Date:05/29/2026 3:00 PM

The City of Novato’s Tenant Protections Ordinance is now in effect.

Adopted by the Novato City Council on April 28, 2026, the ordinance expands protections for renters who are forced to move through no fault of their own.

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.

Effective immediately, landlords are required to 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.

Landlords are also now required to send a copy of any eviction notice to the City of Novato within 10 days of serving the notice to a tenant. Failure to follow these notice requirements could make certain lease changes or eviction notices invalid.