A new tenant protection ordinance aimed at reducing displacement and strengthening housing stability for renters has taken effect in Novato, city officials announced Friday. 

Approved by the Novato City Council on April 28, the ordinance expands protections for tenants who are forced to leave their homes through no fault of their own, including cases involving major repairs or buildings deemed unsafe for occupancy. 

The measure requires landlords to provide relocation assistance and, in some cases, allow displaced tenants to return once repairs are completed, city officials said. It also establishes permanent relocation payments for certain no-fault evictions. 

City officials said the ordinance preserves existing state-law protections for landlords in cases involving nonpayment of rent or lease violations while adding local requirements designed to support renters. 

According to the ordinance, landlords must provide tenants with a written notice of their rights within 90 days of the ordinance taking effect and submit copies of eviction notices to the city within 10 days of serving them.  

The city said failure to comply with the notice requirements could invalidate certain lease changes or eviction actions. 

To help residents understand the new rules, the city will host a series of online community question-and-answer sessions in June.