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Home  >  Our City  >  City Departments  >  Community Development  >
  • Planning Division
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Planning Division

The Planning Division maintains and implements the City’s General Plan, Zoning Ordinance and prepares other specialized planning documents, including Specific Plans. The Division reviews development requests for conformance with the City’s planning policies and standards, and conducts environmental review under the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Planning Division also monitors and analyzes regional planning issues to determine their impact to the City. The division provides staff support to the Planning Commission and City Council through the processing of rezoning, subdivisions, site plan reviews, use permits, variances, and other entitlements.

Address

125 E. College Street
Covina, CA 91723

Planning Counter Hours
Monday – Thursday
City Hall is Closed Fridays
7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Closed (lunch)
2:00 PM – 5:45 PM

Contact Us

General Inquiries
(626) 384-5450
Planning@covinaca.gov

Planning Staff Directory
Quick Links
Check Address Jurisdiction
Frequently Asked Questions
Applications, Forms, and Fees
Planning Projects
Resources
Planning Commission

Covina Planning Division

A Division of the Community Development Department

The Planning Division maintains the City’s comprehensive General Plan, which serves as the legal guide for all development in the community, and advises the City Council, City Manager and Planning Commission on issues involving the future development of the community.

  • Advise residents, property owners and developers on the use of real property
  • Review proposals to develop, remodel or alter buildings, parking lots or other man made structures and ensure compliance with applicable zoning standards and design guidelines.
  • Maintain records and statistics on the population and demographics of the City.
  • Review the potential environmental consequences of public and private actions pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.
  • Administer the Historic Preservation Ordinance and Plan.
  • Process requests to annex property into the City of Covina.
  • Provision of information and interpretation of the various federal, state, and local land use regulations.
  • Preparation and distribution of handouts and maps showing City Streets, zoning, demographics, development standards, and other information.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)

Frequently Asked Questions

IMPORTANT: Before applying, please verify the project address jurisdiction to determine if Covina is the appropriate agency to process your request. Any Covina address that is within “LA County” Jurisdiction must submit directly to the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning.

Where are ADUs allowed?
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs), Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs), and efficiency units are permitted on lots that are zoned to allow single-family or multi-family residential uses that include an existing or proposed dwelling.
Do ADUs require a covenant?

Yes. All accessory dwelling units require a covenant agreement, per Ordinance No. 22-06, passed, approved, and adopted May 17, 2022.

What are some General ADU guidelines?

Per ADU Ordinance No. 22-06, ADUs greater than 800 square feet shall comply with newly adopted ADU design standards.  Refer to Covina Municipal Code Section 17.69.040.   The accessory dwelling unit shall provide complete and independent living facilities.If there is an existing primary dwelling, the total floor area of an attached ADU shall not exceed 50% of the existing primary dwelling.  For detached ADUs, the total floor area shall not exceed 1,000 square feet.

What are the standards for a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU)? How are they different from ADUs?
  • JADUs are units limited to 500 square feet in size that are contained within the walls of an existing or proposed single-family residence.  One   JADU is allowed on a lot with a proposed or existing single-family home.
  • A JADU must have a separate entrance from the main entrance of the residence, and must include an efficient kitchen with cooking appliances and a small food preparation and storage area. 
  • In contrast to ADUs, owner occupancy of the JADU or the primary dwelling is required, unless the owner is a government agency, land trust, or housing organization.
  • A deed restriction must be recorded to prohibit separate conveyance and restrict the size and attributes of the JADU.
  • No additional parking is required for a JADU.
  • An efficiency unit is one not less than 220 square feet in size.
What is the maximum height for ADUs? What is the minimum setback requirement?

Maximum building height shall not exceed 16 feet in height when it is located at least 4 feet from a side and rear property line. ADUs greater than 16 feet in height, (i.e. detached two story ADUs, a second-story ADU above a garage, the addition of a second-story ADU to an existing single-story residence, the addition of an attached two-story ADU to the primary residence, or any combination thereof) shall be permitted within the primary residence “buildable area,” as determined under CMC Sections 17.14 and 17.26 residential development standards. Single-story accessory dwelling units shall meet all the minimum 4-foot side and rear yard setback requirement.  Accessory dwelling units within existing structures are not subject to additional building setbacks.

If I convert my garage to an ADU, will I be required to replace onsite parking?

When a garage, carport, or covered parking structure is converted or demolished to construct an ADU, replacement parking of the lost off-street parking is no longer required.Other development standards, such as limits on lot coverage, floor area ratio, or open space requirements, cannot be applied to the extent they would prohibit an ADU that is at least 800 square feet and 16 feet tall, with a 4-foot rear and side yard setback.

What are the ADU parking requirements?
At least one parking space for the accessory dwelling unit shall be provided if the proposed accessory dwelling unit is not within ½ mile of public transit, measured by the walking distance from the ADU to public transit. An “as-the-crow” flies” measurement does not count. Notably, “public transit” shall include any bus stop, train station, or other location where the public can access buses, trains, subways, and other forms of public transportation.
I have a Single Family property, how many ADUs can I have on my lot?

A detached ADU may be combined with a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) that complies with the requirements described above, such that two additional units (one detached and one attached) are allowed on the lot.  Given the size limitations, this means that a property could have a 500-square-foot JADU attached to the house and an up to an 800-square foot detached ADU.

I have a sloped lot, are ADU requirements the same?

Detached ADU sited within four to one or greater slopes, whether upslope or downslope, or within a High to Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) designation from Los Angeles County Fire Department, shall meet the following requirements: 

  • May encroach into the four to one ( 4: 1) or greater slopes by a maximum distance of 6 feet; 
  • Require Planning review and Los Angeles County Fire Department Review; 
  • Provide a minimum 10-foot fire defensive zone around the ADU (Defensible space is the buffer you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surround it. CALFIRE); 
  • Comply with construction requirements in the California Building Code and California Residential Code that are specific to the wildland-urban interface fire area. 
  • Roof material shall be tiles, slate or imitation thereof. Where the roof material for the main house consists of composition shingles, detached ADU can include the same material. If composition shingles are used, 40-year or higher grade architectural dimension shingles shall be used. 
Can I convert existing space on my Multi-Family lot to ADUs?
Yes. The portions of an existing multifamily dwelling, in spaces not used as living space can be converted to additional units or ADUs. Examples include conversion of storage rooms, boiler rooms, attics, basements, and garages. Each proposed new unit must comply with building standards. The number of ADUs that may be created in a multifamily dwelling is equal to 25% of the number of existing units, or one accessory unit, whichever is greater.
Can I build new detached ADUs on my Multi-Family lot?
Not more than two detached ADUs on a lot with an existing multifamily dwelling can be built. The accessory units are subject to a 16-foot height limit and must maintain at least a 4-foot rear and side yard setback.
Can I convert existing space AND build new ADUs on my multi-family lot?
No. An applicant may apply to build ADUs either under the conversion of existing space category or under the new detached ADUs category, but not both.
How can I get approval for my ADU Project?

The first step is to submit your project to the Planning Division for review and approval. Any applications submitted to Building & Safety without a Planning Approval Clearance will be rejected and referred back to the Planning Division. “Building Permit Only” categories must still be submitted to Planning for verification of compliance before proceeding with Building & Safety.

 Step 1: Review the Frequently Asked Questions Above and review the ADU Checklist

Step 2: Complete the ADU application form and assemble a submittal package as directed in the ADU application form. Need help determining what is needed on the plans? refer to sections 2 and 3 of the Site Plan Review handout. 

Step 3: Submit items from Step 2 to Planning-Submittal@covinaca.gov or in person at the Planning counter (Mail is okay). 

Please allow up to 15 days for planning staff to make a determination and to follow up with further instructions. For mail in option, allow up to 15 days after confirmation of receipt of package. If mailing your package, mail with attention to: Planning Division, City of Covina, 125 E College Stree, Covina, CA 91723.

 

I already received a Planning Approval Clearance from the Planning Division, what is the next step?

Review the “conditions of Approval” section located on your Planning Approval Clearance document. As a requirement of submittal for building plan check, the Planning approval and the approved site plan, elevation, and floor plan shall be included as part of your submittal package. Typically these documents are located immediately after the title/cover page of the construction plans and are noted in the index on the cover page. See the steps below. Questions regarding Building Plan check can be inquired with the Building & Safety Division at 626-384-5460.

Submitting to Building & Safety for plan check: 

Step 1: Review the Planning Approval Clearance provided to you by your case planner and integrate the Clearance and the stamped-approved site plan, floor plan, and elevations into construction plan set. 

Step 2: Review the Building & Safety ADU Handout, Residential Submittal Checklist , and plan check process page. 

Step 3: Prepare required documents according to Steps 1 and 2, and complete the Building Permit Application Form, complete the Address Request Form and provide either homeowner, contractor, or agent of contractor information. 

Step 4: Submit prepared items in Step 3 to the Building Safety Division for Plan check. 

* This page was last updated on August 4, 2022

* This page was last verified (reviewed) on November 7, 2022

Supporting Documents

Municipal Code Link

Municipal Code

Residential Development Standards

The below tables with development standards are meant as a quick reference to the lot sizes, lot coverage, setbacks, building and structure heights. The property owners, applicants, architects and designers must check with all development standards and other regulations contained in Covina Municipal Code Title 17.

link to Municipal Code: https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Covina/#!/Covina17/Covina17.html

Notes:

(1) See additional requirements for accessory buildings, patio covers, fence, walls, hedges, etc. under CMC Sections 17.26.050 through 17.26.210.

(2)  Distance between buildings means between two adjacent main dwellings (houses).

For Multi-Family Development Standards, Click Here. 

Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow

Supporting documents

PDF – Single Family Residential Development Standards

PDF – Multi Family Residential Objective Design Standards 

Tree Preservation (Oak Tree)

The City of Covina requires the preservation of mature trees to protect a valuable community resource. By preserving mature trees, we can improve the beauty, air quality, and property values of the community. 

Preserving Mature Trees: 

  • Large mature trees provide habitat for wildlife and birds. 
  • They moderate the climate, improve air quality, and increase property value. 
  • Mature tees are also a historic resource. 

Heritage Trees: 

  • Trees with a trunk diameter of at least 10 inches are protected as heritage trees. 
  • Trees of the following species are protected: Quercus (oaks)
  • Trees designated by the city council as heritage trees are also protected.

Obtaining a Tree Preservation Permit: 

  • No person may damage a heritage tree without obtaining a permit. 
  • An application for a tree preservation permit must be submitted to the Chief Planning Official.
    • The Application must include 
    • Name and address of the applicant and property owner. 
    • Evidence of ownership. 
    • Location of the property.
    • A photograph of the tree(s). 
    •  A site plan. 
    • A report from a certified arborist or licensed forester (may be waived for single-family residences)
    • Mailing list and self-adhesive labels for properties within 300 feet of the subject property. 

Fees for a Tree Preservation Permit: 

  • Tree Preservation Permit Minor: $1,128.00 (one tree)
  • Tree Preservation Permit Regular: $2,205.00 (more than one tree)

Contact Us: 

If you have any questions, please contact the planner on duty at (626) 384-5450. 

Zoning Map

Click HERE for Covina Zoning Wall map!

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Covina City Hall
125 E. College Street
Covina, CA 91723
(626) 384-5400
M-TH 7:00AM – 6:00PM

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