Novato LIO zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

LIO (Light Industrial/Office) is a zoning district in Novato. Every value below was read from the Novato Municipal Code and links to its section (read October 2026). State laws such as the ADU and SB 9 rules can allow more on a residential lot. General information, not legal advice — read the code text and check with the city before you build.

Development standards in LIO

The general rule for a typical lot in this zone. Zoning tables often attach notes, such as rules for corner lots, lots next to a residential zone, or new subdivisions only. Open “code text” under a value to see the table cell or sentence it was read from.

Maximum building height	35 ft See note 3 below the table in the code. § 19.12.040 · code text Table row “Height limit (3)”, column “LIO Light Industrial/ Office”: 35 ft Note 3: Maximum allowed height of structures. See also Section 19.20.070 (Height Limits and Exceptions).
Minimum front setback	None required § 19.12.040 · code text Table row “Front”, column “LIO Light Industrial/ Office”: None required
Maximum lot coverage	60% See note 1 below the table in the code. § 19.12.040 · code text Table row “Building coverage (1)”, column “LIO Light Industrial/ Office”: 60% Note 1: Maximum percentage of site area that may be covered by structures.
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)	0.40 Applies: note 4: 0.40 applies in the Novato Industrial Park and Hamilton Hangar area; elsewhere the maximum FAR is 0.6 See note 4 below the table in the code. § 19.12.040 · code text Table row “Floor Area Ratio (FAR)”, column “LIO Light Industrial/ Office”: 0.40 (4) Note 4: Except for the Novato Industrial Park and Hamilton Hangar area, the maximum FAR shall be .6.

Uses in LIO

Uses the code's use tables allow in LIO, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.

Live-work unit — Allowed
Child care center — Needs an use permit
Kennel — Needs an use permit

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in LIO:

Minimum side setback: 6 ft — if adjacent to a single-family residential zone § 19.12.040
Minimum side setback: 10 ft — if building is over 20 ft in height at the building setback line and adjacent to a single-family residential zone § 19.12.040
Minimum side setback: None required — not adjacent to a single-family residential zone § 19.12.040
Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — if adjacent to a single-family residential zone § 19.12.040
Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — if building is over 20 ft in height at the building setback line and adjacent to a single-family residential zone § 19.12.040
Minimum rear setback: None required — not adjacent to a single-family residential zone § 19.12.040

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories, side setback, rear setback, lot size, density limit for LIO in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Novato Municipal Code.

Other Novato zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Novato's LIO zone?

35 ft — Novato Municipal Code § 19.12.040.

What is the minimum front setback in Novato's LIO zone?

None required — Novato Municipal Code § 19.12.040.

What is the maximum lot coverage in Novato's LIO zone?

60% — Novato Municipal Code § 19.12.040.

What is the maximum floor area ratio (far) in Novato's LIO zone?

0.40 (note 4: 0.40 applies in the Novato Industrial Park and Hamilton Hangar area; elsewhere the maximum FAR is 0.6) — Novato Municipal Code § 19.12.040.

General information, not legal advice.