Novato compliance requirements

Businesses that pay $600 or more to a non-employee (independent contractor, freelancer, etc.) during the year must file Form 1099-NEC with the IRS and provide a copy to the recipient by January 31. Th...

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses that are places of public accommodation (restaurants, retail stores, hotels, theaters, medical offices, professional offices,...

Businesses that manufacture, import, deal in, or use explosive materials must obtain a federal explosives license or permit from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Licenses...

All Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) must complete and retain ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record) for every firearm transaction conducted through the licensee. Per the Bipartisan Safer Commun...

Businesses exporting goods, software, or technology from the United States must comply with the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) administered by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). Expor...

The Corporate Transparency Act requires certain companies to report their beneficial ownership information (BOI) to FinCEN. As of March 2025, FinCEN issued a rule exempting all domestic companies from...

Under the Corporate Transparency Act, reporting companies must file an updated Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with FinCEN within 30 calendar days of any change to previously reported in...

The CAN-SPAM Act (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act) applies to all businesses that send commercial email messages — any electronic mail message whose primary purp...

Businesses importing goods into the United States with a value exceeding $2,500 must file an entry with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Formal entries require a customs bond and use of a lic...

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) requires employers with 20 or more employees who sponsor group health plans to offer continuation coverage to employees and their dependents ...

Under the Air Toxics Hot Spots Information and Assessment Act (AB 2588), facilities emitting 10 or more tons per year of criteria air pollutants must submit an emissions inventory report to their loca...

Catering businesses serving alcohol at client locations must obtain a Type 58 Caterer's Permit from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Requires a commissary (licensed premises) and allows s...

California ABC Type 04 Distilled Spirits Manufacturer license authorizes the distillation and rectification of spirits, and the sale of distilled spirits to wholesalers and on the licensed premises. D...

California ABC Type 20 Off-Sale Beer and Wine license authorizes a retail establishment (grocery store, convenience store, drug store) to sell beer and wine in sealed containers for off-premises consu...

California ABC Type 21 Off-Sale General license authorizes a retail store (package store, liquor store) to sell beer, wine, and distilled spirits in sealed containers for off-premises consumption. Req...

California ABC Type 41 On-Sale Beer and Wine license authorizes a bona fide eating place (restaurant) to sell beer and wine (no distilled spirits) for on-premises consumption. Lower cost alternative t...

Annual renewal of the California ABC Type 47 On-Sale General license for restaurants. Renewal must be completed before the license anniversary date to avoid late penalties. Renewal fee varies by count...

California ABC Type 47 On-Sale General license authorizes a bona fide eating place (restaurant) to sell beer, wine, and distilled spirits for consumption on the premises. Required before selling any a...

Bars and taverns where alcohol is the primary revenue source (50%+ of revenue from alcohol sales, not food) must obtain a Type 48 Public Premises license from ABC. Different from Type 47 (restaurant) ...

California ABC Type 23 Small Beer Manufacturer license authorizes the manufacture of beer (under 60,000 barrels per year) and sale to wholesalers, retailers, and on the licensed premises. Breweries an...

Any business in Marin County that owns or operates an aboveground petroleum storage tank with a capacity of 55 gallons or more in a single container, or with an aggregate capacity exceeding 1,320 gall...

Commercial businesses in Marin County Fire Department jurisdiction are subject to annual fire safety inspections by the Fire Prevention Division. Inspectors verify compliance with the Marin County Fir...

A building permit from the Marin County Community Development Agency Building and Safety Division is required for construction, remodeling, tenant improvements, change of use, or alterations to struct...

All businesses located in Marin County with aggregate business personal property costing $100,000 or more must file an annual Business Property Statement (Form 571-L) with the Marin County Assessor-Re...

Catering businesses operating in Marin County must obtain a current annual health permit from Marin County Environmental Health Services. Caterers must submit a complete caterer application and a comm...

All animal businesses operating in Marin County must obtain a special operating permit through Marin County Animal Services (operated by Marin Humane). This includes kennels, catteries, boarding facil...

A Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO) is a non-motorized cart or other type of non-motorized transport of food that sells food to the public in Marin County. CMFOs must obtain a permit from Marin Cou...

Certain business uses in unincorporated Marin County require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from the Marin County Community Development Agency Planning Division. A CUP is required for land uses that m...

Businesses operating a cottage food operation from a private home in Marin County must register with (Class A) or obtain a permit from (Class B) Marin County Environmental Health Services. Cottage foo...

An encroachment permit from the Marin County Department of Public Works is required for any work within a County-maintained public right-of-way in unincorporated Marin County. This includes installati...

Novato Municipal Code Section 14-18.070 requires every subscriber of an intrusion detection alarm system (burglar alarm, etc.) within city limits to obtain a permit from the Novato Police Department. ...

All businesses operating within the City of Novato must obtain a business license and pay the business license tax prior to commencing operations. The license must be obtained within 15 days of starti...

Businesses undertaking construction, renovation, tenant improvements, or change of occupancy at commercial properties in Novato must obtain a building permit from the City's Building Division before c...

Businesses seeking to operate a commercial cannabis business in Novato (permitted types include indoor cultivation, non-storefront delivery retail, and microbusiness; storefront retail is currently pr...

Any resident wishing to conduct a business from their home in Novato must obtain a Home Occupation Permit (zoning clearance) from the Planning Division, in addition to a City business license. The per...

Businesses conducting operations regulated by the California Fire Code (e.g., hazardous materials storage and handling, assembly occupancies with 50+ persons, flammable/combustible liquids, compressed...

Owners or long-term tenants who are permanent residents of a home and rent it (or a portion) for periods of fewer than 30 consecutive nights must register with the City of Novato's Short-Term Rental R...

Businesses in Novato that wish to install, alter, or replace exterior signage (including wall signs, monument signs, projecting signs, awnings with lettering, etc.) must obtain a sign permit from the ...

Organizers of public events, parades, runs, or gatherings on public streets or city property in Novato must obtain a Special Event Permit from the Novato Police Department (Traffic Sergeant). Photogra...

Retailers selling tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaping products) in Novato must obtain a local Tobacco Retailer License from the City, in addition to the state...