Novato summers are dry and warm, and the town sits against a lot of open land, with Mount Burdell rising behind it. That combination shapes the yards we design here: more shade, more outdoor cooking, and planting that can handle heat and sits well next to open space.
We design and build outdoor living spaces for homeowners across Novato, with one team handling the plan and the build.
Shops on Grant Avenue in Old Town Novato. Photo: Sanfranman59, CC BY-SA 3.0
Old Town Novato centers on Grant Avenue. Businesses clustered here after the Northwestern Pacific built a depot at Grant and Railroad in 1879, and the A.D. Scott store from 1890 is the oldest building still standing downtown. City Hall is a former Presbyterian church from 1896. On summer Tuesdays, the downtown farmers market fills the street.
The history goes back much further. Coast Miwok people lived here for thousands of years, and the Marin Museum of the American Indian in Miwok Park on Novato Boulevard shares that story. A few miles north, Olompali State Historic Park holds a site that was inhabited as early as 6000 B.C.
Then there is Hamilton, where the Army Air Field was dedicated in 1935. The base closed in 1975, and civilian neighborhoods have grown on the site since 1995. Novato incorporated as a city in 1960, so in many ways it is still a young town on very old ground.
Many Novato homes have room for a true outdoor kitchen and living area together. We design those as one connected space so cooking, dining and lounging each have their place.
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Heat and water. Dry, warm summers mean shade and efficient irrigation matter. We plan drip zones and plant groupings by water need.
Fire safety. California requires defensible space around homes, and the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority oversees the program for most Marin fire jurisdictions. Fire Safe Marin recommends gravel and hardscape in the first five feet around the house, and state Zone 0 rules for that area have been in development. Properties near open space or in mapped fire hazard severity zones can carry added requirements, which we confirm for your address.
Permits. Projects inside city limits go through the City of Novato, while some nearby areas are unincorporated Marin County. We confirm the right agency before design is final.
The Mount Burdell Preserve is Marin County's largest open space, and the 1,558-foot peak frames much of Novato. Yards that back up to open land get the best views in town, along with more exposure to summer heat, dry grass and wildlife.
Our approach for these lots is to put hardscape where it does the most good. A paver or stone patio and gravel near the house keep the closest zone clean and ember-resistant. Planting moves out from there in spaced beds on drip irrigation. A patio cover or pergola makes the afternoon sun manageable.
Every project begins with a discovery consultation. We learn about your home, your goals and how you want to live outside, then recommend the right next step.
Schedule a Discovery ConsultationSolid patio covers give the most relief from afternoon sun. Pergolas and cantilever structures give filtered shade with a lighter look. We often combine one with shade trees placed away from the house.
Defensible space rules apply everywhere, and lots near wildland often get more scrutiny. We design with ember-resistant materials near the house and confirm current requirements during planning.
Yes. Hamilton's newer homes often have smaller yards, so we focus on layouts that fit a kitchen, seating and planting into a tight footprint.
Yes. Planted beds on drip irrigation, a small sod area or artificial turf, and stone or pavers can keep the yard green while cutting water use.
With warm, dry summers, it gets a lot of use. We plan it with shade, lighting and enough counter space to cook comfortably.
Discovery consultation, professional design and planning, a detailed proposal, then build and reveal. Read more about our process.
