Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in West Covina

Each rule below links to the section of the West Covina Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What West Covina's code says

West Covina code What West Covina's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 16 feet. Applies: For detached accessory structures with open or solid roofs. § 26-72 · code text Detached accessory structures with open or solid roofing. \| Not Permitted \| 4 feet \| 4 feet \| Not permitted \| 16 ft No more than 10 feet. Applies: For temporary, portable shade structures. § 26-72 · code text Temporary, portable shade structures \| Not Permitted \| 4 feet \| 4 feet \| Not permitted \| 10 ft. No more than 8 feet. Applies: For decks or raised structures over 30 inches tall or over 30 square feet in area. § 26-72 · code text Decks/elevated structures greater than 30 inches in height and/or greater than 30 square feet in area \| Not Permitted \| 1.5 times standard building setback of the underlying zone \| 1.5 times standard building setback of the underlying zone \| 1.5 times standard building setback of the underlying zone \| 8 ft
Size or lot coverage	No more than 1,000 square feet for all accessory buildings together. Applies: In R-A and R-1 zones; ADUs and required garages are not counted. More needs an administrative permit. § 26-72 · code text Accessory buildings, or the sum of accessory buildings, except accessory dwelling units, shall be a maximum of one thousand (1,000) square feet. No more than 70% of the main home's floor area. Applies: For each accessory building in R-A and R-1 zones. § 26-72 · code text The area for individual accessory buildings shall be limited to seventy (70) percent of the floor area of the primary dwelling unit.
Side and rear setback	At least 4 feet from rear and side lines. Applies: For detached accessory structures with open or solid roofs. § 26-72 · code text Detached accessory structures with open or solid roofing. \| Not Permitted \| 4 feet \| 4 feet \| Not permitted \| 16 ft At least 4 feet from rear and side lines. Applies: For temporary, portable shade structures. § 26-72 · code text Temporary, portable shade structures \| Not Permitted \| 4 feet \| 4 feet \| Not permitted \| 10 ft. At least 5 feet from rear and side lines. Applies: For pools and spas. § 26-72 · code text Pools and spas \| Not Permitted* \| 5 feet \| 5 feet \| Not permitted \| n/a At least 5 feet from rear and side lines. Applies: For pool and spa equipment. § 26-72 · code text Pool/spa equipment \| Not Permitted* \| 5 feet \| 5 feet \| Not permitted \| 5ft At least 1.5 times the zone's standard building setback. Applies: From rear, side and street side lines, for decks or raised structures over 30 inches tall or over 30 square feet. § 26-72 · code text Decks/elevated structures greater than 30 inches in height and/or greater than 30 square feet in area \| Not Permitted \| 1.5 times standard building setback of the underlying zone \| 1.5 times standard building setback of the underlying zone \| 1.5 times standard building setback of the underlying zone \| 8 ft
No permit needed up to	Less than 120 square feet. Applies: Residential zones; no part 7 feet or taller; at most 2 per lot. Planning exemption only; building permits may apply. § 26-71 · code text Accessory structures that are less than one hundred twenty (120) square feet in size and no portion of the structure is seven (7) feet or greater in height, provided that no more than two (2) of such structures are located within the same lot or site.

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Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in West Covina?

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.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in West Covina

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What West Covina's code says

Who this affects

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