Sec. 26-102. - Signs allowed by zoning district and use.

West Covina Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-09-25 · West Covina

Each sign shall comply with the sign standards set forth by this section, unless otherwise provided in this division.

(a)

Multifamily residential zoning districts. Each sign in a residential zoning district established by article II of this Development Code shall comply with the following requirements:

Table 3-8 Sign Standards for Multifamily Residential Zoning Districts.

Sign Class	Type of Sign	Maximum Number	Maximum Sign Area
Multifamily residential signs only (Administrative Sign Review required unless otherwise stated)
(a) Nameplate (No permit required)		One (1) per residence unit. Limited to name and address of the occupant of the premises.	One (1) s.f. (single-face only).
(b) Flags, Nonpromotional (for promotional signs, see Sec. 26-383(f)).	1. Attached. 2. Detached.	Three (3) per site. Permitted flags are those of a government, government agency, public institution, nonprofit agency, or similar entity. Torn, faded, sagging, or detached banners shall be repaired or replaced.	1. Below eaveline. 2. 25 feet.
(c) Multiple-Family Identification at major entrance	1. Wall sign attached to main building. 2. Wall sign attached to a freestanding wall or fence. 3. Detached	One (1) per site (1.), or One (1) per frontage (2. or 3.)	1. Five (5) s.f. per unit, up to max. 40 s.f. (single-face only). Below eave line 2. 40 s.f. (single-face only). Below eave line. 3. 40 s.f. per face (double-face permitted for detached signs). 6 feet max. height

(d) Institutional.	Includes nonresidential uses allowed with a conditional use permit, e.g., church, school, child-care facilities, adult-care facilities, public utilities, etc.— see sections TABLE 3-10	Includes nonresidential uses allowed with a conditional use permit, e.g., church, school, child-care facilities, adult-care facilities, public utilities, etc.— see sections TABLE 3-10	Includes nonresidential uses allowed with a conditional use permit, e.g., church, school, child-care facilities, adult-care facilities, public utilities, etc.— see sections TABLE 3-10
Temporary-promotional (No illumination allowed), permit not required unless otherwise stated
(a) Advertising Products- R-A zone only.	1. Attached. 2. Detached.	One (1) per site.	Twelve (12) s.f. (singleface only).
(b) Sale/rental-R-A/R-1.	1. Attached. 2. Detached.	One (1) per site. Must be below eave line if attached. Maximum height 6 feet if detached.	1. Six (6) s.f. (singleface only).
(c) Sale/rental-Multiple- Family	Attached.	One (1) per site. Must be attached to main building.	15 s.f. (single-face only).
(d) Rental-Multiple- Family.	1. Attached. 2. Detached.	1. one (1) per site. Must be below eave line. 2. No maximum. 6 feet maximum height	1. Ten (10) s.f. (singleface only), or 2. Total of ten (10) s.f. per face (double-face only).
(e) Rental, Promotional- Multiple-Family. Special Events Permit required.	Banners.	One (1) per street frontage.	Three (3) feet by 15 feet long. Must be below eave and mounted flat against building. No neon or fluorescent colors.
(f) Sale/rental- Mobilehome Park main entrance. Sign permit required.	Attached to main building or block wall.	One (1) per site.	24 s.f. (single-face only).
(g) Sale-Unimproved Property. Sign permit required.	Detached.	One (1) per site. 6 feet maximum height.	15 s.f. per face (doubleface permitted).
(h) Sale-new Projects with 5+ Units. Sign permit required.	Detached.	One (1) double-face, or up to two (2) single-face signs.	Double-face signs: 60 s.f. per face. Single-face sign(s): 60 s.f. total.

Table 3-9 Sign Standards for Mobilehome Parks.

Sign Class	Type of Sign	Maximum Number	Maximum Sign Area
(a) Mobilehome Park Identification (Administrative Sign Review Required)	1. Attached to a building wall 2. Attached to a free- standing block wall at main entrance. 3. Detached.	One (1) per site.	1. or 2. 40 s.f. (singleface only). 3. 40 s.f. per face (double-face permitted). 6 feet maximum height
(b) Mobilehome Park Tenant Directory. (Administrative Sign Review Required)	1. Attached to building or wall 2. Detached on planter area	One (1) per site (one additional per 200,000 s.f. of lot size). 6 feet maximum height	1. 24 s.f. (single-face only) 2. 24 s.f. per face (double-face permitted).

(b)

Office and institutional uses (e.g. religious facilities). Each sign in an office or institutional zone shall comply with the requirements set forth in table 3-10 below, and to the requirements set forth in section 26-100, and to all applicable standards set forth in this division.

Table 3-10 Sign Standards for Office Buildings including institutional use (e.g. religious facilities).

Sign Class	Maximum Number	Maximum Area	Maximum Height/ Location
Wall signs (Administrative	Sign Review required unless otherwise stated)
(a) Building Identification (for buildings with one to three stories)	One (1) per wall facing a street or parking lot.	Two (2) percent of building face (single- face only).	Between top of roof line and floor level of the top floor, or other appropriate location as approved by the planning director.
(b) Building Identification (for buildings with four or more stories)	One (1) per wall facing a street or parking lot.	One (1) s.f. for each lineal foot of building frontage, with a five (5) percent increase for each story above the fourth story (single-face only).	Between top of roof line and floor level of the top floor, or other appropriate location as approved by the planning director.
(c) Tenant Identification	Allowed ONLY for tenants on ground floor with exterior entrances. Size and location subject to TABLE 3-11.
(d) Building Area Bonus (for buildings with floor	One (1) bonus, in addition to wall sign	Size of bonus (size of building) 100 s.f. (60—99,000 s.f.)

areas of 60,000 s.f. or more)	allowance normally allowed, per building.	150 s.f. (100—124,000 s.f.) 200 s.f. (125—149,999 s.f.) 250 s.f. (150,000 s.f. or more) No maximum for total wall signage.
Detached sign (monument only)
(a) Building Identification and Tenant Identification Directory	One (1) per street frontage (maximum two per site).	40 s.f. per face (double- face permitted).	Six (6) feet.
(b) Readerboard Signs	See table 3-15 for standards, religious facilities and schools with more than 150 students and site size greater than 2 acres may install a pole sign subject to approval of a CUP

(c)

Commercial, mixed-use, and industrial zoning district sign standards. Each sign in a commercial, mixeduse or industrial zoning district shall comply with the requirements set forth in Tables 3-11 through 3-18 below, and to all applicable standards set forth in this division.

Table 3-11 Sign Standards for Commercial and other non-office sites (on-site noncommercial signs included).

Sign Class	Maximum Number	Maximum Area	Maximum Height/ Location
Wall sign (Sign Permit required unless otherwise stated) and internally illuminated only
(a) Ground Floor Primary Business Identification	No maximum.	One (1) s.f. for every one (1) lineal foot of building frontage (up to 300 s.f. on primary frontage, and 150 s.f. for secondary frontage). Minimum sign size is 40 s.f. (single- face only).	Only on frontages that face a street or public parking area with an entrance exclusive to the enclosed tenant space.
(b) Ground Floor Accessory Business Identification	No maximum.	No greater than sign area devoted to primary business identification signs (maximum 50 percent of total sign	Only on primary frontage of primary business allowed by subsection (a) above.

		area on front wall) (single-face only).
(c) Nameplate (no illumination), permit not required	One (1) per enclosed tenant space.	Three (3) s.f. (single-face only).	Near main entrance only.
(d) Ground Floor Business Advertising	No maximum.	No greater than sign area devoted to primary business identification signs (maximum 50 percent of total sign area on front wall) (single-face only).	Only on primary frontage of primary business allowed by subsection (a) above.
(e) Second Story Primary Business Identification (for two- story buildings only)	One (1) per enclosed tenant space. Permitted only for buildings allowed exterior signs for ground floor businesses. Must be individual letters no higher than 18 inches.	Maximum one-half (0.5) s.f. for every one (1) lineal foot of building frontage (up to 60 s.f.) (single-face only). Minimum sign size 30 s.f.	Below roofline, but above ceiling level of first floor.
(f) Building Area Bonus (for enclosed tenant spaces with floor areas of 60,000 s.f. or more). Requires Administrative Sign Review	One (1) bonus, in addition to wall sign allowance normally allowed, per enclosed tenant space. Total wall sign utilizing this bonus shall not exceed 550 s.f.	Bonus (enclosed space s.f.) 100 s.f. (60,000—99,000 s.f.) 150 s.f. (100—124,000 s.f.) 200 s.f. (125,000— 149,999 s.f.) 250 s.f. (150,000 s.f. or more)	Wall sign only.
Hanging Signs (Sign Permit required unless otherwise stated) and internally illuminated only
(a) Nameplate	One (1) per business.	Five (5) s.f. per face (double face permitted).	Eight (8) feet vertical clearance from sidewalk level; perpendicular or near perpendicular to building fascia.

(b) Business Identification and/or Advertising	No maximum.	Same as wall signs.	Eight (8) feet vertical clearance from sidewalk level; parallel or near parallel to building fascia.

Table 3-12 Sign Standards for Commercial and other non-office sites (on-site noncommercial signs included)—Detached signs (for single-tenant buildings not part of a planned center).

Sign Class	Maximum Number	Maximum Area	Maximum Height/ Location
Administrative Sign Review required
(a) Business Identification (for sites with floor areas less than 30,000 s.f.)	One (1) per business.	40 s.f. per face (double- face permitted)	Six (6) feet
(b) Business Identification (for sites with floor areas of 30,000 s.f. or more)	One (1) per business	Maximum sign area, per face (double-face permitted), based on size of building's floor area: 55 s.f. (30—39,999 s.f. building) 70 s.f. (40—59,999 s.f. building) 100 s.f. (60—79,999 s.f. building) 150 s.f. (80—99,999 s.f. building) 200 s.f. (100— 149,999 s.f. building) 250 s.f. (150—199,999 s.f. building) 275 s.f. (200—249,999 s.f. building) 300 s.f. (250,000+ s.f. building)	Maximum sign height based on size of building's floor area: 15 feet (30—39,999 s.f. building) 25 feet (40—59,999 s.f. building) 40 feet (60,000+ s.f. building)
(c) Freeway adjacent business identification	One (1) per business (allowed on properties that share a common boundary or include	200 s.f.	35 feet

street frontage on a public street that is adjacent to the freeway right-of-way)

Table 3-13 Sign Standards for Commercial and other non-office sites (on-site noncommercial signs included)—Detached signs (for multi-tenant buildings or buildings part of a planned center).

Sign Class	Maximum Number	Maximum Area	Maximum Height/ Location
Administrative Sign Review Required
(a) Tenant Directory/Center Identification (for sites with less than 15,000 s.f. floor area)	One (1) per site	40 s.f. per face (double- face permitted)	Six (6) feet
(b) Tenant Directory/Center Identification (for sites with 15,000 [s.f.] or more floor area)	One (1) per site (additional sign permitted on each major arterial if floor area exceeds 100,000 s.f.)	Maximum sign area per face (double-face permitted) based on size of building's floor area: 55 s.f. (15—19,999 s.f. building) 70 s.f. (20—29,999 s.f. building) 100 s.f. (30—59,999 s.f. building) 150 s.f. (60—99,999 s.f. building) 200 s.f. (100—149,999 s.f. building) 250 s.f. (150-199,999 s.f. building) 275 s.f. (200-249,999 s.f. building) 300 s.f. (250,000+- 499,999 s.f. building) 450 s.f. (500,000+ s.f. building)	Maximum sign height based on size of building's floor area: 15 feet (15—19,999 s.f. building) 25 feet (20—29,999 s.f. building) 40 feet (30,000+ s.f. building)
(c) Tenant Directory, Secondary (for sites with	One (1) for every 30,000 s.f. of floor area (with a maximum of three)	50 s.f. per face (double face permitted)	Eight (8) feet

30,000 [s.f.] or more floor area)
(d) Freeway Adjacent Business Identification	One (1) per business (allowed on properties that share a common boundary or include street frontage on a public street that is adjacent to the freeway right-of-way	300 s.f.	40 feet
Table 3-14 Sign Standards for Commercial and other non-office sites (on-site noncommercial signs included)—Detached signs (General and Special Uses).
Sign Class	Maximum Number	Maximum Area	Maximum Height/ Location
General
(a) Parking Directional - Sign Permit required	One (1) per major parking lot entrance	Eight (8) s.f. per face (double face permitted)	Four (4) feet
(b) Freeway Site Bonus (for sites wholly or partially within 300 feet of freeway centerline) - CUP required	One (1) bonus per site	75 percent bonus per face, in addition to detached identification sign, up to total sign area of 750 s.f.	75 percent bonus in addition to what is normally allowed, up to 60 feet max. height
Special Uses - Administrative Sign Review required
(a) Service Station Identification/Price Panel; Accessory uses may be identified on the service station ID sign at the discretion of the planning director	One (1) per site	100 s.f. single-face or 50 s.f. double-face maximum for identification plus maximum six (6) s.f. single- or double-face per price type and grade (price type and grade shall not be repeated more than once per face), up to 48 s.f. cumulative for price/grade signs and accessory use	1.25 times the building height (35 feet maximum)

(b) Service Station Price Panel	Two (2) per site, may be attached to identification sign, or detached	Twelve (12) s.f. per face (doubleface permitted)	Eight (8) feet
(c) Auto Dealer Identification - Sites include any use with approved precise plan designating a minimum 4,000 s.f. "outdoor display" area, and minimum 25,000 s.f. vehicular storage or parking area	One (1) per site with minimum 75,000 s.f. area (a second sign permitted for lots with freeway, arterial, or collector frontage over 350 feet)	150 s.f. per face (double-face permitted), with one-half of the sign area subtracted from the front wall sign allowance	35 feet
(d) Auto Dealer Directional Signs	Maximum of three (3) per site	Maximum cumulative 24 s.f. per face (double- face permitted)	Six (6) feet
(e) Drive-through Restaurant Menu Boards	One (1) per drive- through lane	40 s.f. (single-face only)	Eight (8) feet
(f) Flags	Maximum of three (3) flags per site. Detached (not within building setbacks of underlying zone; shall not encroach or overhang public right- of-way or adjacent properties). Torn, faded, sagging, or detached banners shall be repaired or replaced.	Maximum vertical dimension of eight (8) feet per face. Maximum horizontal dimension of twelve (12) feet.	50 feet

Table 3-15 Sign Standards for Commercial and other non-office sites (on-site noncommercial signs included)—Detached signs (Temporary Special Use). No permit required.

Sign Class	Maximum Number and Area	Maximum Height/Location
(a) Pole-mounted Vertical Banners (only for uses with approved outdoor display and more than 75,000 square feet of lot area).	Two (2) per light pole. 24 s.f. per face. Torn, faded, sagging, or detached banners shall be repaired or replaced. Maximum horizontal dimension of three (3) feet and a maximum vertical dimension of eight (8) feet.	Maximum 35 feet. Minimum vertical clearance of 14.5 feet above ground level. Must be attached to parking lot pole. Minimum vertical clearance of 14.5 feet above ground level.

(b) Small Balloons (only for uses with approved outdoor display and more than 75,000 square feet of lot area).	No maximum. Damaged or deflated balloon displays shall be promptly repaired, replaced or removed from the premises attached to merchandise displays or to building exterior.	Individual balloons may not be more than 36 inches in any dimension. Maximum 95 feet above ground level.
(c) Pennants (only for uses with approved outdoor display and more than 75,000 square feet of lot area).	No maximum. Connected to parking lot light standards. Spaced no closer than 40 feet on center.	Each pennant shall be no larger than 3 feet by 4 feet per face.

Table 3-16 Readerboards—Administrative Sign Review required unless otherwise stated.

Sign Class	Maximum Number	Maximum Area	Maximum Height/ Location
(a) Theater and Auditoriums - Manual or Electronic	One (1) readerboard permitted per site and incorporated into a normally allowed sign.	100 percent bonus in addition to allowance normally allowed (including non- readerboard portions of the same sign), up to maximum of 900 s.f. per face.	Same as normally allowed.
(b) Other Commercial Uses Located within 300 Feet of Freeway Centerline - Only freeway oriented electronic readerboards allowed	One (1) readerboard per site and incorporated into a normally allowed sign.	The readerboard area shall be no more than 75 percent of total allowable sign area, per face.	Same as normally allowed.
(c) Institutional Uses - Manual or Electronic	One (1) readerboard per site and incorporated into a normally allowed sign	Readerboard area shall not exceed 50 percent of total allowable sign area, per face (building mounted or monument) with approval of an administrative sign review; or 70 s.f. maximum display board area per face for a pole sign with approval of a	Same as normally allowed for monument. 15 feet maximum for a pole sign with approval of a CUP.

CUP. (20 s.f. of which shall be used for physical static sign copy to identify the name and numerical address of the institution).

Table 3-17 Sign Standards for Events on Commercial Sites Requiring a Temporary Use Permit.

Sign Class	Maximum Number	Maximum Sign Area	Maximum Sign Height
(a) Banners.	One (1) per street frontage. Banners shall be maintained in good condition. Torn, faded, sagging, or detached banners shall be repaired or replaced. Banners shall be mounted flat against building exterior wall or other locations (free-standing wall, detached, roof).	One (1) s.f. of sign area per one (1) foot of building frontage up to 60 s.f. on exterior building wall maximum (single-face only), or 50 s.f. per face on other locations (doubleface permitted)	Below eaveline.
(b) Banners for uses with a seventy-five (75,000) square foot or larger site with an approved precise plan designating a min. of four thousand (4,000) square feet of area for "outdoor display".	One (1) per street frontage. Torn, faded, sagging, or detached banners shall be repaired or replaced. Banners shall be mounted flat against building exterior wall or other locations (freestanding wall, detached, roof). Banner colors shall be coordinated with building colors and/or corporate colors.	300 square feet	30 feet
(c) Pole-mounted Vertical Banners.	Two (2) per light pole. Maximum horizontal dimension of three (3) feet and a maximum vertical dimension of eight (8) feet. Must be attached to parking lot pole. Torn, faded, sagging, or detached banners shall be repaired or replaced.	24 s.f. per face (double-face permitted).	Minimum vertical clearance of 14.5 feet above ground level.
(d) Inflatable (Large) Balloons.	One (1) per business. Must be spherical or custom shape. May not be helium-filled or lighter	Width of subject building (up to a maximum of 40 feet).	30 feet (measured from roof level for

	than air. Roof mounted or ground-mounted. Damaged or deflated balloon displays shall be promptly repaired, replaced or removed from the premises.		roof-mounts. Ground level for ground-mounts) above roof level.
(e) Small Balloons.	No maximum. Damaged or deflated balloon displays shall be promptly repaired, replaced or removed from the premises.	Individual balloons may not be more than 36 inches in any dimension.	Maximum 35 feet above ground level.
(f) Window Bonus (buildings with frontages less than 20 feet).	No maximum. Inside glass panel.	50 percent of window up to 100 s.f. maximum.
(g) Window Bonus (buildings with frontages between 21 to 30 feet).	No maximum. Inside glass panel.	45 percent of window up to 125 s.f.
(h) Window Bonus (buildings with frontages over 30 feet).	No maximum. Inside glass panel.	40 percent up to 150 square feet maximum.
(i) Vehicle Signs (only for uses with approved outdoor display and more than 75,000 square feet of lot area).	One (1) per vehicle. Individually strung balloons (less than 36 inches in diameter) may be tied to vehicles.	Six (6) s.f. per vehicle (single-face only).	Mounted directly on vehicle.
(j) Pennants, Streamers, Searchlights, and Other Attention Attracting Devices Not Listed.	May be permitted at the discretion of the planning director when in conjunction with a TUP.

Table 3-18 Sign Standards for Events on Commercial Sites Requiring a Special Event Permit.

Sign Class	Maximum Number	Maximum Sign Area	Maximum Sign Height
(a) Banners.	One (1) per business. Banners shall be maintained in good condition. Torn, faded, sagging, or detached banners shall be repaired or replaced. Banner colors shall be	One (1) s.f. of sign area per one (1) foot of building frontage up to 60 s.f. (single-face only).	Below eaveline.

	coordinated with building colors and/or corporate colors. Banners shall be mounted flat against building exterior wall.
(b) Small Balloons.	No maximum. Damage or deflated balloon displays shall be promptly repaired, replaced or removed from the premises attached to merchandise displays or to building exterior.	Individual balloons may not be more than 36 inches in any dimension.	Maximum 35 feet above ground level.
(c) Window Bonus (buildings with frontages less than 20 feet).	No maximum. Inside glass panel.	50 percent of window up to 100 s.f. max.
(d) Window Bonus (buildings with frontages between 21 to 30 feet).	No maximum. Inside glass panel.	45 percent of window up to 125 s.f.
(e) Window Bonus (buildings with frontages over 30 feet).	No maximum. Inside glass panel.	40 percent, up to 150 s.f. maximum.
(f) Pennants, Streamers, Searchlights, and Other Attention Attracting Devices Not Listed.	May be permitted at planning director's discretion when in conjunction with a SEP.

(Ord. No. 2519, § 5(Exh. A), 2-20-24)

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