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West Covina · Building on your lot

Building on a hillside in West Covina

West Covina's own rules on building on a hillside, with the code text for every value.

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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
Soils or geology report
  • An engineering geologic investigation and a soils engineering investigation.
    Applies: Hillside (H) overlay zone; sites in a hazardous geologic area under the General Plan seismic safety element.
    § 26-59 · code text
    In addition to the above, the following reports shall be submitted for staff and Planning Commission review when a development site falls within a hazardous geologic area as defined by the adopted seismic safety element of the General Plan:
Grading and retaining walls
  • Must be left in an essentially natural, ungraded state.
    Applies: Hillside (H) overlay zone; any substantial part of a site with slopes over 45%.
    § 26-59 · code text
    Any substantial portion of hillside area over forty-five (45) percent slope must be left in an essentially natural, ungraded state.
  • Grading should be minimal wherever possible.
    Applies: Hillside (H) overlay zone; slopes over 35%.
    § 26-59 · code text
    Furthermore, it is intended that minimal grading be performed on slopes in excess of thirty-five (35) percent, wherever possible.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in West Covina?

West Covina's code: Must be left in an essentially natural, ungraded state. (Hillside (H) overlay zone; any substantial part of a site with slopes over 45%.) (§ 26-59); Grading should be minimal wherever possible. (Hillside (H) overlay zone; slopes over 35%.) (§ 26-59).

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how West Covina's building on a hillside rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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West Covina Municipal Code — full text