The idea for Noah's Arc originated in 2003 when creator Patrik-Ian Polk attended a Los Angeles Black gay pride club event, which inspired him to write a series centered on the lives of Black gay men.

The original one-hour pilot was produced independently and released as a web series in 2004, and was initially envisioned as a DVD subscription series to help fund each episode.

After the web series and pilot were well received at film festivals and independent screenings, the series was picked up by the MTV-affiliated network Logo as a half-hour show, making Noah's Arc Logo's first scripted series.

During production of the pilot episode, actor Rodney Chester, who plays Alex, used his own truck as a makeshift hair, make-up, and dressing room.

Actors Darryl Stephens and Christian Vincent were both considered for the lead role of Noah Nicholson; Stephens, who had originally auditioned for the role of Ricky Davis, was cast as Noah, while Vincent was recast as Ricky.

Rodney Chester maintained a friendship with creator Patrik-Ian Polk after appearing in Polk's independent film Punks, which adapted several elements into the television series.

Several roles were recast between the pilot and the series: Shaun T. Fitness, originally cast as Trey Iverson, was replaced by Gregory Keith, and Carlos Tineco's minor character was rewritten into the recurring role of Junito before being recast with Wilson Cruz.

Noah's Arc was the first scripted television series to center a group of Black gay men, and it became Logo's highest-rated show during its run despite being canceled after two seasons.