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.

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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 What West Covina's code adds
Corner visibility	No more than 36 inches. Applies: For walls, fences, hedges, trees and other obstructions in the sight triangle areas of corner lots. § 26-76 · code text On corner lots, walls, fences, hedges, trees, or other physical obstructions shall not exceed a maximum height of thirty-six inches (36") within the sight triangle areas set forth in section 26-67.
Side and rear yard height	Up to 8 feet. Applies: Single-family lots, along side and rear lines next to principal or minor arterial streets. At least 70% open above 42 inches. § 26-76 · code text Walls and fences on single-family residential lots along the side and rear property lines adjacent to rights-of-way of streets designated as principal or minor arterials on the master plan of streets and highways shall have a maximum height of eight (8) feet provided that design standards contained within subsection (a)(1) is complied with. No more than 7 feet. Applies: For a freestanding fence or wall between single-family homes, in required side and rear setbacks. § 26-76 · code text A freestanding fence or wall between single-family residential properties shall not exceed seven (7) feet in height. No more than 7 feet. Applies: For a freestanding fence or wall between multi-family properties or along a major arterial street, in side and rear setbacks. § 26-76 · code text A freestanding fence or wall between multi-family residential properties or along a major arterial street shall not exceed seven (7) feet in height. No more than 8 feet. Applies: For a freestanding fence or wall between a residential and a commercial property, in side and rear setbacks. § 26-76 · code text A freestanding fence or wall between a residential and commercial property shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height.
Front yard height	No more than 6 feet. Applies: Required front setback, street side yard, or rear yard of a through lot with street access. At least 70% open above 42 inches. § 26-76 · code text Fences and fence/wall combinations shall not exceed a maximum height of six (6) feet.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

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.

Running a business from home

West Covina code What West Covina's code adds
Space used	No more than 1 room or 200 square feet, whichever is less. § 26-120 · code text No more than one (1) room or two hundred (200) square feet, whichever is less, shall be employed for the home occupation.
Customer visits	Only 1 client on the premises. § 26-120 · code text Contact with clients is limited to one (1) client on the premises. No in-person contact with the public or in-person sales on the premises. Applies: Sales by mail, phone or internet are allowed. § 26-120 · code text No in person contact with the public or in person sale of products on the premises except by mail, phone, or internet.
Employees	No employees or help except resident family members. § 26-120 · code text No employment or help other than the resident members of the resident family.
Businesses not allowed	Auto Repair; Barber or beauty shop; Bicycle repair; Carpentry work; Dance instruction; Laundering service; Massage parlor; Medical or dental office; Painting of vehicles, trailers or boats; Photo developing; Photo studio; Private school with organized classes; Radio or television repair; Upholstering; Welding Applies: Uses specified as not permitted as home occupations § 26-120 · code text These specified uses shall not be permitted as home occupations:

Lot splits under SB 9

West Covina code What West Covina's code adds
How the lot may be divided	Neither new lot may be smaller than 40% of the original lot area. Applies: Urban lot split into no more than 2 lots of about equal area. § 26-357 · code text The parcel map divides an existing parcel to create no more than two (2) new parcels of approximately equal lot area, provided that one (1) parcel shall not be smaller than forty (40) percent of the lot area of the original parcel.
Minimum new lot size	Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet. Applies: Applies to both new lots. § 26-357 · code text Both newly created parcels are no smaller than one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet.
Setbacks	No setback is required. Applies: Only for an existing structure, or one rebuilt in the same place and to the same size. § 26-358 · code text No setback shall be required for an existing structure, or a structure constructed in the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing structure. At least 4 feet from side and rear property lines. Applies: Applies to new structures and additions. § 26-358 · code text The minimum setback from the side and rear property line is four (4) feet. At least 25 feet from the front property line. Applies: New structures and additions; may be reduced if an 800-square-foot unit is otherwise not physically possible. § 26-358 · code text The minimum setback from the front property line is twenty-five (25) feet.
Standards	Only lots in the single-family residential (R-1) zone qualify. § 26-357 · code text The parcel is located within a single-family residential (R-1) zone. At least 12 feet of street frontage. Applies: Applies to all lots, for vehicle access. § 26-358 · code text All lots shall have a minimum street frontage of twelve (12) feet to provide for vehicular access. No more than 2 new lots. Applies: Applies to the parcel map for a lot split. § 26-357 · code text The parcel map divides an existing parcel to create no more than two (2) new parcels of approximately equal lot area, provided that one (1) parcel shall not be smaller than forty (40) percent of the lot area of the original parcel. No more than 2 units per lot, including ADUs or JADUs. Applies: Applies to lots created by a lot split. § 26-357 · code text The lot split does not create more than two (2) units on a parcel, including any accessory dwelling units or junior accessory dwelling units. Residential uses only. Applies: Applies to uses on the site. § 26-360 · code text That the uses shall be limited to residential uses. Rentals must be at least 31 days. Applies: Applies to any rental of a unit created by the lot split. § 26-360 · code text That any rental of any unit created by the lot split shall be for a minimum of thirty-one (31) days. The site is not eligible for street parking permits. Applies: Applies to sites with an urban lot split. § 26-360 · code text That the site is not eligible for any street parking permits.
Owner occupancy	The applicant must intend to live in one unit as a main home for at least 3 years. Applies: Does not apply to a community land trust or qualified nonprofit corporation. § 26-360 · code text That the applicant intends to occupy one (1) of the housing units as their principal residence for a minimum of three (3) years from the date of approval.

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:

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)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in West Covina?

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

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.

Can I run a business from my home in West Covina?

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

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in West Covina?

West Covina's code: Neither new lot may be smaller than 40% of the original lot area. (Urban lot split into no more than 2 lots of about equal area.) (§ 26-357); Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet. (Applies to both new lots.) (§ 26-357).

Can I park an RV or boat at my home in West Covina?

West Covina's code: No parking unless hitched to a vehicle that can move it normally on the street. (Applies to trailers, semitrailers and trailer coaches on any city street.) (§ 22-185).

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

West Covina's code: Approved when it meets the checklist and standards; decision or use-permit notice within 30 days of a complete application. (§ 7-280.6); 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).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in West Covina?

West Covina's code: Drain the pool, or fully cover it with an approved cover, within 48 hours; keep it so until reoccupied. (Applies when the owner learns the property has been abandoned or vacated.) (§ 7-23).

General information, not legal advice.

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West Covina Municipal Code — full text

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