Novato · Land use · Kennel
Where is a kennel (dog boarding) allowed in Novato?
In Novato, a kennel (dog boarding) is needs an use permit in 4 (A, CG, CI and LIO) and not allowed in 7 (Novato use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: A, CG, CI and LIO
- Not allowed: OS, ROS, C, BPO, CN, CDR and CDB
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Novato Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where a kennel (dog boarding) can go
Novato's code calls this use “Kennels (Table 2-2); Kennels & boarding (Table 2-7)”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| A Agriculture | Needs an use permit Code row: “Kennels” | § 19.08.030 |
| CG General Commercial | Needs an use permit Code row: “Kennels & boarding” | § 19.12.030 |
| CI Commercial/Industrial | Needs an use permit Code row: “Kennels & boarding” | § 19.12.030 |
| LIO Light Industrial/Office | Needs an use permit Code row: “Kennels & boarding” | § 19.12.030 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Animal Grooming and veterinary clinics are separate rows.
- Not covered here: Residential districts (Table 2-4): the stored text of 19.10.030 has no table, so no residential-district cell can be read. The 'uses not listed are not allowed' rule (19.06.030 C) is no help there.; Agricultural and resource districts A, OS, ROS, C (Table 2-2): no Emergency Shelter row in the table (not allowed under 19.06.030 C).; Special purpose districts (Table 2-9) and PD: no table text; PD uses come from the adopted Master Plan.. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Novato
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a kennel (dog boarding) in the A zone in Novato?
Only with an use permit. Novato's use table lists it that way in A (Agriculture) (§ 19.08.030).
Can I have a kennel (dog boarding) in the OS zone in Novato?
No. Novato's use table does not allow it in OS (Open Space) (§ 19.08.030).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a kennel (dog boarding) at an address in Novato
Ask GoCodebook what the zoning at a specific address allows and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question