West Covina · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in West Covina

West Covina sets its own limits on fences, accessory structures and home businesses. Fence height depends on the setback and the neighboring use, and some businesses may not run from a home.

Ask about building on your lot in West Covina See coverage

Key points

Fence height: West Covina fences: 7 feet in side and rear setbacks between homes; 6 feet in front setbacks, at least 70% open above 42 inches.
Accessory structures: West Covina limits detached accessory structures to 16 feet; in R-A and R-1 zones, accessory buildings total 1,000 square feet, not counting ADUs.
Home businesses: West Covina limits a home business to one room or 200 square feet, whichever is less, with resident family members only.

Each rule below is marked West Covina code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Fences and walls

West Covina code West Covina fences: 7 feet in side and rear setbacks between homes; 6 feet in front setbacks, at least 70% open above 42 inches.

All 6 West Covina rules on fences and walls, with the code text →

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

West Covina code West Covina limits detached accessory structures to 16 feet; in R-A and R-1 zones, accessory buildings total 1,000 square feet, not counting ADUs.

All 11 West Covina rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

Running a business from home

West Covina code West Covina limits a home business to one room or 200 square feet, whichever is less, with resident family members only.

All 5 West Covina rules on running a business from home, with the code text →

Lot splits under SB 9

West Covina code Neither new lot may be smaller than 40% of the original lot area. Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet.

All 13 West Covina rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →

RV and boat parking

West Covina code What West Covina's code adds
Parking on the street	No parking unless hitched to a vehicle that can move it normally on the street. Applies: Applies to trailers, semitrailers and trailer coaches on any city street. § 22-185 · code text No person shall park or leave standing any trailer, semitrailer or trailer coach on any city street unless attached to a vehicle capable of moving the trailer, semitrailer or trailer coach in a normal manner upon the street.

Solar panels and EV chargers

West Covina code What West Covina's code adds
EV charger permit	Approved when it meets the checklist and standards; decision or use-permit notice within 30 days of a complete application. § 7-280.6 · code text The building official must notify an applicant whether the application has been approved, or, alternatively, whether the applicant must obtain an electric vehicle charging station use permit, within thirty (30) days after the submission of a complete application.
Solar permit process	Administrative, nondiscretionary review; a permit is issued when the application meets the checklist and standard plan; only 1 inspection. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar that meets the approved checklist and standard plan. § 7-270.6 · code text For an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan, the building department shall issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit in a timely manner and no later than five (5) working days from the day of submittal.
Review time	The permit is issued within 5 working days. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar that meets the approved checklist and standard plan. § 7-270.6 · code text For an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan, the building department shall issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit in a timely manner and no later than five (5) working days from the day of submittal.

Swimming pools

West Covina code What West Covina's code adds
Maintenance and empty pools	Drain the pool, or fully cover it with an approved cover, within 48 hours; keep it so until reoccupied. Applies: Applies when the owner learns the property has been abandoned or vacated. § 7-23 · code text No owner of any swimming pool on any land within the city, upon learning that the premises upon which such swimming pool is located or is accessory or appurtenant having been abandoned or vacated by the person in possession or control of such swimming pool, shall fail, within forty-eight (48) hours after so learning or so being advised by the building official, to either:

Building in a flood zone

West Covina code What West Covina's code adds
Floodplain permit	A development permit is needed before development in flood hazard, flood-erosion or mudflow areas. Applies: Before construction or other development begins. § 9-52 · code text A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development begins within any area of special flood hazard established areas of flood-related erosion hazards or areas of mudslide (i.e. mudflow) in section 9-46.
Building in a floodway	No fill, new construction or other encroachment unless a registered professional engineer certifies no base flood elevation increase. Applies: Areas designated as floodways. § 9-60 · code text Prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvement, and other new development unless certification by a registered professional engineer is provided demonstrating that encroachments shall not result in any increase in [the base] flood elevation during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
Height of the lowest floor	At least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an A Zone. § 9-56 · code text In an A Zone, at least elevated at one (1) foot above the base flood elevation as determined by this community. At least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in all other zones. § 9-56 · code text In all other zones, elevated at least one (1) foot above the base flood elevation.

Building on a hillside

West Covina code An engineering geologic investigation and a soils engineering investigation. Must be left in an essentially natural, ungraded state.

All 3 West Covina rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →

Park and impact fees for new homes

West Covina code What West Covina's code adds
Exemptions	Remodels of or additions to an existing home that add no dwelling unit. Applies: Development impact fees; the remodel or addition adds no dwelling unit. § 17-206 · code text The DIFs shall not be imposed upon a building permit for remodeling or for an addition to an existing residential structure so long as the remodeling or addition does not add a dwelling unit. Tearing down a home and building a new one on the same site, if the old home was not vacant. Applies: Development impact fees; the demolished home was not vacant before the new permit. § 17-206 · code text The DIFs shall not be imposed upon a building permit for the demolition of an existing residential structure and the construction of a new residential structure on the same site, provided the demolished structure was not "vacant" (as defined in section 17-203) prior to the issuance of a building permit for the new structure.

Noise and construction hours

West Covina code What West Covina's code adds
Construction hours on weekdays	7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Applies: Every day; outdoor construction in or within 500 feet of a residential zone, over 5 decibels above ambient; a permit or emergency allows other hours. § 15-95 · code text Between the hours of 8:00 p.m. of one day and 7:00 a.m. of the next day, it shall be unlawful for any person within a residential zone
Noise limit at homes	Construction noise may not exceed the ambient noise level by more than 5 decibels at the property line. Applies: Between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in or within 500 feet of a residential zone; a permit can allow it, and emergency work is exempt. § 15-95 · code text to exceed the ambient noise level by more than five (5) decibels

Garage and yard sales

West Covina code 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. No more than 2 consecutive days.

All 5 West Covina rules on garage and yard sales, with the code text →

Family child care homes

CA state law California law
Zoning	A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)
Business license or fee	A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)
Local rules	Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)
Small home	Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)
Large home	7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)

Home alarm permits and false alarms

West Covina code The alarm may sound for at most 15 consecutive minutes. Established by city council.

All 5 West Covina rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →

Signs on homes

West Covina code Not earlier than 90 days before the start of the closest future election date. Remove within 10 days after the election.

All 12 West Covina rules on signs on homes, with the code text →

Trash and recycling carts

West Covina code Remove the container no later than 8:00 p.m. on collection day, or 2 hours after actual collection, whichever is later. Not before 5:00 p.m. of the day preceding its scheduled collection

All 4 West Covina rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →

Historic homes

West Covina code A certificate of appropriateness is required. Reviewed by the minor alterations subcommittee.

All 7 West Covina rules on historic homes, with the code text →

Other West Covina rules on this

West Covina's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Keeping animals on residential lots (§ 26-111)
Permit to remove significant and heritage trees (Ch. 26, Div. 10)
Grading and drainage permits (Ch. 9, Art. I)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in West Covina?

West Covina's code: Administrative, nondiscretionary review; a permit is issued when the application meets the checklist and standard plan; only 1 inspection. (Small residential rooftop solar that meets the approved checklist and standard plan.) (§ 7-270.6); Approved when it meets the checklist and standards; decision or use-permit notice within 30 days of a complete application. (§ 7-280.6).

What are the rules for building in a West Covina flood zone?

West Covina's code: A development permit is needed before development in flood hazard, flood-erosion or mudflow areas. (Before construction or other development begins.) (§ 9-52); At least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in an A Zone.) (§ 9-56).

What are the noise rules and construction hours in West Covina?

West Covina's code: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Every day; outdoor construction in or within 500 feet of a residential zone, over 5 decibels above ambient; a permit or emergency allows other hours.) (§ 15-95); Construction noise may not exceed the ambient noise level by more than 5 decibels at the property line. (Between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in or within 500 feet of a residential zone; a permit can allow it, and emergency work is exempt.) (§ 15-95).

Can I run a family child care home in West Covina?

California law sets this for every city, including West Covina: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific West Covina property

Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on West Covina

West Covina Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in West Covina

Buying & selling in West Covina

Property taxes in West Covina

West Covina overview

Zoning districts in West Covina

What you can build where in West Covina