West Covina, CA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in West Covina, CA, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Key Facts
- Exempt shed size
- Under 120 sf, under 7 ft tall
- Exempt structures per lot
- Maximum of 2
- Combined accessory building cap
- 1,000 sf (R-A/R-1), excl. ADUs
- Per-building cap
- 70% of primary home's floor area
- Governing sections
- Development Code Sec. 26-70 to 26-72
Summary
A shed under 120 square feet and under 7 feet tall is exempt from planning review in West Covina, but two is the limit per lot and a building permit may still apply. Bigger sheds need an administrative permit and are capped at 1,000 total square feet, or 70 percent of the house's floor area, on R-A and R-1 lots.
(b)The following structures located in the single-family and multi-family zones are exempt from planning entitlements provided they comply with the requirements listed below and standards set forth in section 2672. Exempt accessory structures may require building permits to maintain conformance with the California Building Code adopted by the City.(1)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....(d)Accessory buildings in R-A and R-1 zones.(1)Accessory buildings, or the sum of accessory buildings, except accessory dwelling units, shall be a maximum of one thousand (1,000) square feet. Accessory buildings which causes the total square footage of accessory buildings to exceed greater than one thousand (1,000) square feet (except accessory dwelling units) may be granted subject to the approval of an administrative permit... The area for individual accessory buildings shall be limited to seventy (70) percent of the floor area of the primary dwelling unit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 94).
Full Breakdown
Division 2 of the Development Code, Sections 26-70 through 26-72, governs detached accessory structures other than accessory dwelling units. Section 26-71(b) exempts small structures from planning entitlements: any accessory structure under 120 square feet with no portion 7 feet or taller is exempt, but no more than two such structures may sit on the same lot, and exempt structures can still need a building permit to satisfy the California Building Code. Decorative features like fountains or birdbaths under 120 square feet and under 6 feet tall get the same exemption.
Everything larger requires an administrative permit under Section 26-71(a). 5 times the underlying zone's standard setback. Section 26-72(d) caps total accessory building square footage in the R-A and R-1 zones at 1,000 square feet combined, excluding ADUs, though the Community Development Director can approve more through an administrative permit; required garages don't count against that cap. No single accessory building may exceed the primary dwelling's floor area, and each one is separately capped at 70 percent of the house's floor area.
Violations & Fines
Building or maintaining a shed or accessory structure that exceeds the exemption thresholds without the required administrative permit, or exceeding the 1,000-square-foot combined accessory building cap without an approved permit, is a Development Code violation subject to the city's administrative citation and fine process. A third exempt-size structure placed on a lot where two already exist is likewise a violation because Section 26-71(b)(1) caps the exemption at two structures per site regardless of each one's individual size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a shed in West Covina?
How big can my shed or accessory building be?
How close to my property line can I build a shed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Covina
How West Covina compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·California rules heatmap·Compare West Covina to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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