Skip to content

Title 17 — Zoning

Chapter 17.40 — C-3 COMMERCIAL ZONE (CENTRAL BUSINESS)

Covina Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-06 · Covina

§ 17.40.010. Intent.

The C-3 zone is intended to serve as the central trading area of the city. (1964 Code Appx. A § 7.30)

§ 17.40.020. Permitted uses.

Buildings, structures and land shall be used, and buildings and structures shall hereafter be erected, structurally altered or enlarged only for the following uses, plus such other uses as the commission and council may deem (pursuant to Chapter 17.60 CMC) to be similar and not more obnoxious or detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare, and related to the functioning of a central business district. All uses shall be subject to the property development standards in CMC § 17.40.050 through 17.40.200 :

  • A. Those uses permitted in the C-2 zone, except as otherwise provided in CMC § 17.40.040 ;

  • B. Retail stores, sales and services:

Advertising agencies;

Aerial photograph and survey service;

Art gallery, show and studio; Auto rental; Awning sales; Barber and/or beauty shop; Blueprinting and photocopying; Catering service, food; Department store; Employment agency; Garage, public; Garden supply and tools; Gunsmith; Playground equipment sales and service; Plumbing supply, retail; Restaurant; Taxi; Taxidermist;

Tire sales, no retreading or vulcanizing;

  • C. Other:

Apartment hotels;

Lodges and meeting halls;

Museums; Printing and publishing;

Public and/or private dancing;

Telegraph office;

Theater, theatrical and motion picture.

(Ord. 19-01 § 18, 2019; Ord. 18-05 § 6(a), 2018; Ord. 17-14 § 6(a), 2017; Ord. 97-1813 § 6, 1997; Ord. 93-1748 § 4, 1993; Ord. 1678 § 1, 1988; Ord. 1549 § 1, 1983; Ord. 1535 §§ 8, 9, 1983; Ord. 1495 § 1(a), 1981; Ord. 1438 § 4, 1979; 1964 Code Appx. A § 7.31)

§ 17.40.030. Uses permitted subject to conditional use permit.

The following uses may be permitted subject to a conditional use permit as provided for in Chapter 17.62 CMC:

Auditorium;

Automobile towing in conjunction with a permitted service station;

Billiard parlor;

Cannabis retailers that comply with the requirements set forth in Chapter 17.84 CMC;

Conversion of residential buildings to nonresidential uses subject to CMC § 17.76.010 through 17.76.040 ;

Educational or health activities including private schools, trade schools and health spas;

Electrical or mechanical games as an ancillary use; more than three such games;

Hotels;

Liquor, off-sale, subject to the provisions of CMC § 17.62.026 ;

Liquor, on-sale, in conjunction with a bona fide eating establishment;

Shared-space commercial establishment;

Thrift shops, secondhand and used merchandise stores.

(Ord. 23-01 § 8, 2023; Ord. 19-01 §§ 19, 20, 2019; Ord. 18-05 § 6(a), 2018; Ord. 17-14 § 6(a), 2017; Ord. 11-1997 § 9, 2011; Ord. 93-1748 § 5, 1993; Ord. 91-1730 § 1(E), 1991; Ord. 1678 § 1, 1988; Ord. 1642 § 5, 1987; Ord. 1535 § 10, 1983; Ord. 1507 § 5, 1981; Ord. 1495 § 1(b), 1981; Ord. 1438 § 5, 1979; Ord. 1386 § 4, 1978; 1964 Code Appx. A § 7.32)

§ 17.40.040. Prohibited uses.

The following uses are expressly prohibited in the C-3 zone:

  • A. Residential uses, except as otherwise provided herein;

  • B. Any combination of residential and nonresidential uses in any building or structure or on any lot;

  • C. Trailer parks;

  • D. Industrial uses;

  • E. Automobile service stations;

  • F. Wholesaling and warehousing;

  • G. Commercial uses other than those specifically listed or provided for in CMC § 17.40.020 and 17.40.030 ;

  • H. Multi-tenant retail arcades;

  • I. Massage establishment.

(Ord. 19-01 § 21, 2019; Ord. 97-1813 § 6, 1997; Ord. 92-1736 § 2(D), 1992; Ord. 1438 § 6, 1979; 1964 Code Appx. A § 7.33)

§ 17.40.050. Property development standards generally.

The property development standards contained in CMC § 17.40.060 through 17.40.200 shall apply to all land and buildings in the C-3 zone. (1964 Code Appx. A § 7.34)

§ 17.40.060. Lot area.

There are no lot area provisions for the C-3 zone. (1964 Code Appx. A § 7.34)

§ 17.40.070. Lot dimensions.

There are no provisions on this subject for the C-3 zone. (1964 Code Appx. A § 7.34)

§ 17.40.080. Population density.

There are no population density provisions for this zone. (1964 Code Appx. A § 7.34)

§ 17.40.090. Building height – Generally.

No building or structure erected in this zone shall have a height greater than 75 feet except by conditional use permit. (1964 Code Appx. A § 7.34)

§ 17.40.100. Building height – Exceptions – Permitted projections above limit.

The provisions of the C-P zone, CMC § 17.34.100 , shall apply. (1964 Code Appx. A § 7.34)

§ 17.40.110. Yards.

Yards shall be measured perpendicular to the property line or from the future right-of-way line as established by the general plan for an existing right-of-way.

When the C-3 zone abuts residentially zoned properties there shall be a yard of not less than 25 feet abutting the zone boundary, except where the C-3 zone abuts a public park no yard shall be required. The required yard may be used for parking, loading, access or storage, provided items are not stored higher than the required wall. A solid masonry wall, not less than five feet nor more than six feet in height, shall be erected on the zone boundary line. (1964 Code Appx. A § 7.34)

§ 17.40.120. Distance between buildings.

There are no provisions on this subject for the C-3 zone. (1964 Code Appx. A § 7.34)

§ 17.40.130. Fences and walls – Required walls.

Where the C-3 zone abuts a residential zone, a solid masonry wall not less than five feet nor more than six feet in height shall be erected on the zone boundary, if there is no building on the line. Walls shall conform to corner cutback provisions of the C-P zone, CMC § 17.34.160 and 17.34.170 . (1964 Code Appx. A § 7.34)

§ 17.40.140. Fences and walls – Outdoor storage.

All outdoor storage areas abutting residentially zoned property shall be enclosed by a building wall or by a solid fence or wall not less than five feet nor more than six feet in height. (1964 Code Appx. A § 7.34)

§ 17.40.150. Fences and walls – Corner cutback area regulations and permitted structures.

For corner cutback and permitted fences, hedges and walls, the provisions of the C-P zone, CMC § 17.34.160 and 17.34.170 , shall apply. (1964 Code Appx. A § 7.34)

§ 17.40.160. Off-street parking.

The provisions of CMC § 17.72.010 through 17.72.120 shall apply. (1964 Code Appx. A § 7.34)

§ 17.40.170. Access.

There shall be adequate vehicular access to off-street parking facilities from a dedicated street, service road or alley. The design of the access shall conform to all standards and specifications of the city.

(1964 Code Appx. A § 7.34)

§ 17.40.180. Signs – Generally.

The provisions of Chapter 17.74 CMC shall apply. (1964 Code Appx. A § 7.34)

§ 17.40.190. Allowable signs and special regulations.

  • A. Freestanding and Monument Signs.

    1. Each regional or community shopping center, containing four or more establishments having a lot frontage in excess of 150 feet, shall be permitted one freestanding sign per center. Such sign shall not be located closer than 150 feet from any other freestanding sign on the same side of the street and shall not exceed 100 square feet per face nor an overall height of 30 feet.

    2. Each property having a lot frontage less than 150 feet but more than 45 feet shall be permitted one monument sign. Such sign shall not be closer than 50 feet from any other sign on the same side of the street and shall not exceed an area of 20 square feet per face nor an overall height of six feet.

  • B. Each business shall be allowed one sign per occupancy frontage when mounted flat against the building, or one projecting sign. The overall area devoted to signs may not exceed 15 percent of the area of the first story height of the building. Each side of a projecting sign shall be included in the maximum overall area allowed.

  • C. Each business shall be permitted one pedestrian-oriented sign per entrance, to be mounted flat against the building or suspended from an overhanging architectural feature which is an integral part of the building. Such sign shall not exceed six square feet per face.

  • D. When the building rears onto a public alley or parking lot with a public entrance directly serving the area, an additional sign may be erected at that entrance. The area devoted to such sign

shall not exceed 10 percent of the rear face of the building to the first story height, and such sign must be mounted flat against the building.

  • E. Each business shall be permitted two window signs per occupancy. Such signs shall not exceed 20 percent of the window space in which they are displayed. Each sign shall be of a permanent nature and not painted, pasted, taped nor affixed in any way to the window surface, except as allowed by CMC § 17.74.020 .

  • F. Each regional or community shopping center containing four or more establishments shall require a sign program approved by the director prior to installation.

  • G. For purposes of this section, the terms "community shopping center" and "regional shopping center" shall be as defined in CMC § 17.42.010 .

  • (Ord. 22-02 § 4, 2022; 1964 Code Appx. A § 7.34)

§ 17.40.200. Loading.

The provisions of CMC § 17.72.130 and 17.72.140 shall apply. (1964 Code Appx. A § 7.34)

§ 17.40.210. Site plan review.

The provisions of Chapter 17.64 CMC shall apply. (1964 Code Appx. A § 7.35)

Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.

Ask AI about this code
Contents — Covina Zoning Code
Covina Zoning Code
  1. Title 17 — Zoning
    Overview
    1. Chapter 17.02 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
    2. Chapter 17.04 — DEFINITIONS AND STANDARDS
    3. Chapter 17.06 — ZONES AND MAP
    4. Chapter 17.08 — A-1 AGRICULTURAL AND RESIDENTIAL ZONE (SINGLE-…
    5. Chapter 17.10 — A-2 AGRICULTURAL AND RESIDENTIAL ZONE (SINGLE-…
    6. Chapter 17.12 — E-1/2 ESTATE RESIDENTIAL ZONE (SINGLE-FAMILY E…
    7. Chapter 17.14 — E-1 ESTATE RESIDENTIAL ZONE (SINGLE-FAMILY EST…
    8. Chapter 17.16 — E-2-1/2 ESTATE RESIDENTIAL ZONE (SINGLE-FAMILY…
    9. Chapter 17.18 — E-5 ESTATE RESIDENTIAL ZONE (SINGLE-FAMILY EST…
    10. Chapter 17.20 — R-1-20,000 RESIDENTIAL ZONE (SINGLE-FAMILY)
    11. Chapter 17.22 — R-1-10,000 RESIDENTIAL ZONE (SINGLE-FAMILY)
    12. Chapter 17.24 — R-1-8500 RESIDENTIAL ZONE (SINGLEFAMILY)
    13. Chapter 17.26 — R-1-7500 RESIDENTIAL ZONE (SINGLEFAMILY)
    14. Chapter 17.28 — RD RESIDENTIAL ZONE (MULTIPLEFAMILY)
    15. Chapter 17.32 — R-R RESIDENTIAL RECREATION ZONE
    16. Chapter 17.33 — SPECIAL HOUSING REGULATIONS
    17. Chapter 17.36 — RESERVED
    18. Chapter 17.38 — C-2 COMMERCIAL ZONE (NEIGHBORHOOD SHOPPING CEN…
    19. Chapter 17.40 — C-3 COMMERCIAL ZONE (CENTRAL BUSINESS)
    20. Chapter 17.42 — C-3A COMMERCIAL ZONE (REGIONAL OR COMMUNITY SH…
    21. Chapter 17.44 — C-4 COMMERCIAL ZONE (HIGHWAY)
    22. Chapter 17.46 — C-5 COMMERCIAL ZONE (SPECIFIED HIGHWAY)
    23. Chapter 17.48 — C-R COMMERCIAL ZONE (RECREATION)
    24. Chapter 17.50 — TC-P TOWN CENTER MEDICAL AND PROFESSIONAL OFFI…
    25. Chapter 17.52 — TC-C TOWN CENTER COMMERCIAL ZONE
    26. Chapter 17.54 — M-1 LIGHT MANUFACTURING ZONE
    27. Chapter 17.55 — ADULT-ORIENTED BUSINESSES
    28. Chapter 17.56 — OVERLAY ZONE (OUTDOOR ADVERTISING STRUCTURES)
    29. Chapter 17.57 — OUTDOOR DINING AND DISPLAY
    30. Chapter 17.58 — PLANNED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (PCD) DISTRICTS
    31. Chapter 17.59 — MIXED-USE OVERLAY DISTRICT (MUOD)
    32. Chapter 17.60 — PERMITTED USES
    33. Chapter 17.61 — SMOKE SHOPS AND TOBACCO STORES
    34. Chapter 17.62 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
    35. Chapter 17.63 — FAMILY DAY CARE HOMES
    36. Chapter 17.64 — SITE PLAN REVIEW
    37. Chapter 17.65 — WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FACILITIES
    38. Chapter 17.66 — HIGHWAY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINES
    39. Chapter 17.67 — BODY ART FACILITIES
    40. Chapter 17.68 — EXISTING LOTS
    41. Chapter 17.69 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY …
    42. Chapter 17.70 — NONCONFORMING LOTS, BUILDINGS AND USES
    43. Chapter 17.71 — WALLS, FENCES, AND SCREENING
    44. Chapter 17.72 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING
    45. Chapter 17.73 — OFF-SITE SUBDIVISION DIRECTIONAL SIGNS
    46. Chapter 17.74 — SIGNS IN COMMERCIAL ZONES
    47. Chapter 17.75 — INCIDENTAL SIGNS
    48. Chapter 17.76 — CONVERSION OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDING
    49. Chapter 17.78 — VARIANCES
    50. Chapter 17.80 — ZONING AMENDMENTS AND ZONE CHANGES
    51. Chapter 17.81 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
    52. Chapter 17.82 — WATER-EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE REGULATIONS
    53. Chapter 17.83 — TREE PRESERVATION
    54. Chapter 17.84 — CANNABIS PROHIBITIONS AND REGULATIONS
    55. Chapter 17.85 — COMPLIANCE AND PENALTIES

GoCodebook provides public access, search, citation, multilingual explanation, and practical interpretation of legally adopted building regulations. It is not a substitute for the official ICC or California code publications.