What is a Business Improvement District? 

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a type of special assessment district in which business owners collectively choose to be assessed, with the assessment proceeds then used by local business organizations to improve and promote the business district.

In partnership with the merchants, the Novato City Council formed the Novato Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) in 1999 which was incorporated into the Novato Municipal Code as Section 2-25 ‘Downtown Novato Business Improvement District'. The goal was to attract more business Downtown and enhance the customer and visitor experience.

Since 1999, the City Council has contracted with the Downtown Novato Business Association (DNBA) to serve as the BID Advisory Board and to administer and manage BID activities and funding since the creation of the BID. The DNBA is a non-profit organization with  volunteer Board of Directors and a paid Executive Director to provide communication, marketing, and coordination of the DNBA’s work. It has adopted bylaws to govern the DNBA Board activities and functions. 

There are over 400 businesses in the BID which self-assess an annual fee that generates close to $60,000 per year.

How does it work?

Business Improvement District assessments are levied based on the estimated benefit to the businesses and property within the BID area. At the December 5, 2023 Novato City Council meeting, the Council adopted the BID Advisory Board’s recommendation for increasing the assessment fees and adding a new third zone (Zone C) within the boundaries of the existing BID area. The BID assessment is billed annually with the City of Novato’s business license renewal distribution. See the BID Map to view area boundaries and zones. The 2024 assessment schedule is as follows: 

As part of the annual renewal process for the BID, the BID Advisory Board is required to prepare an annual report each year.  Among other things, the annual report includes a proposed work plan and detailed budget for the upcoming year, a summary of accomplishments and information outlining the method and basis for levying the BID assessment. The Administrative Guidelines state that the BID’s annual report and budget are to be mailed to all members annually.

2023 Annual Report and Budget Package

2022 Annual Report and Budget Package

2021 Annual Report and Budget Package

2020 Annual Report and Budget Package

2019 Annual Report and Budget Package

How do I get involved?

At the annual public hearing all members of the BID and public are welcome to speak to the City Council regarding the annual BID assessment. Written comments for or against the benefit assessments to be levied should be mailed to the City Clerk of the City of Novato at 922 Machin Avenue, Novato, California 94945, or submitted to the City Clerk at or before the public hearing.  To be counted, all protests must be received by the City Clerk on an official Protest Form no later than the public hearing.

Per State law, business owners in BID boundaries are given an opportunity to vote against the assessment of the BID. Each vote will be weighted by the assessment to be paid in the BID. Unless there is a weighted majority against the BID of all businesses in the boundaries, not just of the ballots cast, the BID will continue. If businesses representing a majority of the BID assessments do not want the BID to continue, the City Council cannot levy the assessment for one year.

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