Sec. 26-3. - Applicability of the Development Code.
West Covina Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-09-25 · West Covina
The Development Code applies to all land uses, structures, subdivisions, and development within the City of West Covina, as follows:
(a)
New land uses or structures, changes to land uses or structures. It shall be unlawful, and a violation of the Development Code for any persons to establish, construct, reconstruct, enlarge, alter or replace any use of land or structure, except in compliance with the requirements of chapter 26. No building permit or grading permit shall be issued by the City unless the proposed construction conforms to all applicable provisions of this Development Code.
(b)
Subdivisions. Any subdivision of land proposed within the City after the effective date of this Development Code shall be consistent with the minimum lot size requirements of the applicable zone by article II, the City's subdivision regulations set forth in article VIII, and all applicable requirements of this Development Code.
(c)
Minimum requirements. The provisions of this Development Code shall be minimum requirements for the promotion of public health, safety, and general welfare. When this Development Code provides for discretion on the part of a City official or body, that discretion may be exercised to impose more stringent
requirements than set forth in this Development Code, as may be determined by the applicable review authority to be necessary to promote orderly land use and development, environmental resource protection, and other purposes of the Development Code.
(d)
Conflicting requirements.
(1)
Development Code and Municipal Code Provisions. If a conflict occurs between the requirements of this Development Code or between this Development Code, the City of West Covina Municipal Code, other regulations of the City or California State Law, the most restrictive shall apply.
(2)
Development agreements or Specific Plans. If conflicts occur between the requirements of this Development Code and standards adopted as part of any development agreement or applicable Specific Plan, the requirements of the development agreement or Specific Plan shall apply.
(3)
Private agreements. This Development Code applies to all land uses and development regardless of whether it imposes a greater or lesser restriction on the development or use of structures of land than a private agreement of restriction (eg., CC&Rs), without affecting the applicability of any agreement of restriction.
(e)
Other requirements may apply. Nothing in this Development Code eliminates the need for obtaining any other permits required by the City, or any permit, approval or entitlement required by any other applicable special district or agency, and/or the regulation of any state, or federal agency.
(Ord. No. 2519, § 5(Exh. A), 2-20-24)
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Ask AI about this code▸Contents — West Covina Zoning Code
- Chapter 26 — ZONING
▸Chapter 26 — ZONING
Overview- Sec. 26-1. - Title.
- Sec. 26-2. - Purpose and objectives.
- Sec. 26-3. - Applicability of the Development Code.
- Sec. 26-4. - Relationship to prior ordinances.
- Sec. 26-5. - Relationship to General Plan.
- Sec. 26-6. - Relationship to other City ordinances.
- Sec. 26-7. - Severability, partial invalidation of Development…
- Sec. 26-13. - Establishment of zoning districts.
- Sec. 26-14. - Official zoning map.
- Sec. 26-15. - Uncertainty of zoning district boundaries.
- Sec. 26-16. - Classification of annexed parcels.
- Sec. 26-44. - Purpose and intent of residential zones.
- Sec. 26-45. - Land use regulations and allowable uses.
- Sec. 26-46. - Development standards for R-A and R-1 zones.
- Sec. 26-47. - Applicable regulations for R-A and R-1 zones.
- Sec. 26-48. - Development standards for multi-family zones.
- Sec. 26-49. - Applicable standards for multi-family zones.
- Sec. 26-50. - Purpose and intent by zone.
- Sec. 26-51. - Land use regulations and allowable uses.
- Sec. 26-52. - Development standards.
- Sec. 26-53. - Additional regulations for commercial mixed-use,…
- Sec. 26-54. - Development standards for residential developmen…
- Sec. 26-55. - Purpose and intent of special purpose zones.
- Sec. 26-56. - Land use regulations and allowable uses.
- Sec. 26-57. - Development standards for special purpose zones.
- Sec. 26-58. - Purpose and intent of overlay zones.
- Sec. 26-59. - Hillside overlay.
- Sec. 26-60. - Planned community and residential development ov…
- Sec. 26-61. - Auto plaza overlay.
- Sec. 26-62. - Animal keeping overlay zone.
- Sec. 26-63. - Purpose.
- Sec. 26-64. - Lot coverage measurement.
- Sec. 26-65. - Height measurement and exceptions.
- Sec. 26-66. - Setback measurement and exceptions.
- Sec. 26-67. - Sight triangle areas.
- Sec. 26-68. - Encroachments into required setbacks.
- Sec. 26-69. - Maintenance and security standards for vacant, u…
- Sec. 26-70. - Purpose and applicability.
- Sec. 26-71. - Permit requirements and exemptions.
- Sec. 26-72. - Development standards.
- Sec. 26-73. - Solar energy systems.
- Sec. 26-74. - Purpose and applicability.
- Sec. 26-75. - Measurement of fence or wall height.
- Sec. 26-76. - Height limitations for freestanding fence, walls…
- Sec. 26-77. - Height limitations for retaining walls and chang…
- Sec. 26-78. - Fence materials.
- Sec. 26-79. - Required walls.
- Sec. 26-80. - Purpose.
- Sec. 26-81. - Screening and buffering standards.
- Sec. 26-82. - Purpose.
- Sec. 26-83. - Applicability.
- Sec. 26-84. - Water efficient landscape ordinance.
- Sec. 26-85. - General landscaping standards.
- Sec. 26-86. - Landscape area requirements.
- Sec. 26-87. - Maintenance.
- Sec. 26-88. - Purpose and applicability.
- Sec. 26-89. - General provisions.
- Sec. 26-90. - Number of parking spaces required and parking de…
- Sec. 26-91. - Bicycle parking standards.
- Sec. 26-92. - Reduction of parking requirements and joint use …
- Sec. 26-93. - Parking facility design standards.
- Sec. 26-94. - Off-street loading requirements.
- Sec. 26-95. - Purpose.
- Sec. 26-96. - Applicability.
- Sec. 26-97. - Transportation demand management ordinance.
- Sec. 26-98. - Purpose and applicability.
- Sec. 26-99. - Sign permit required.
- Sec. 26-100. - Exempt signs.
- Sec. 26-101. - Prohibited signs and locations.
- Sec. 26-102. - Signs allowed by zoning district and use.
- Sec. 26-103. - Sign development standards and regulations.
- Sec. 26-104. - Temporary banner signs.
- Sec. 26-105. - Appeals and violations.
- Sec. 26-106. - Severability.
- Sec. 26-107. - Purpose and applicability.
- Sec. 26-108. - Adult-oriented business.
- Sec. 26-109. - Alcohol beverage sales establishments.
- Sec. 26-110. - Amusement and entertainment facilities [EX. DIV…
- Sec. 26-111. - Animal keeping.
- Sec. 26-112. - Body art.
- Sec. 26-113. - Cannabis.
- Sec. 26-114. - Community assembly facility.
- Sec. 26-115. - Containment of carts.
- Sec. 26-116. - Drive-through facilities.
- Sec. 26-117. - Electric vehicle charging stations and solar ca…
- Sec. 26-118. - Emergency shelters.
- Sec. 26-119. - Private gymnasiums and fitness studios.
- Sec. 26-120. - Home occupation.
- Sec. 26-121. - Massage parlors and health and beauty spas.
- Sec. 26-122. - Mobile home development and design standards.
- Sec. 26-123. - Mobile services.
- Sec. 26-124. - Temporary leasing centers, modular trailers and…
- Sec. 26-125. - Outdoor dining.
- Sec. 26-126. - Portable self-storage containers.
- Sec. 26-127. - Recycling facilities.
- Sec. 26-128. - Restaurants, limited-service, take-out, deliver…
- Sec. 26-129. - Service stations.
- Sec. 26-130. - Skilled nursing facilities, assisted living fac…
- Sec. 26-131. - Single room occupancy structure (SRO).
- Sec. 26-132. - Kiosk.
- Sec. 26-133. - Transitional and supportive housing.
- Sec. 26-134. - Standards for special group residences and simi…
- Sec. 26-135. - Hotel and motel conversions for affordable hous…
- Sec. 26-136. - Wireless telecommunication facilities within al…
- Division 2 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWE…
- Division 3 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND DENSITY BONUS INCENTIVES
- Division 5 — MULTI-UNIT DWELLING OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
- Division 2 — NONCONFORMING PARCELS
- Division 6 — ADMINISTRATIVE PERMIT
- Division 8 — FILM PERMIT PURPOSE
- Division 10 — PRESERVATION, PROTECTION AND REMOVAL OF TREES
- Division 2 — ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
- Division 2 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Division 7 — REVERSIONS TO ACREAGE