On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for West Covina
West Covina requires permits for work that is not specifically exempt. The city states any work requiring a permit may not start until plans are approved and the permit is issued. Separate building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits/forms are used as applicable.
One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool or storage sheds, shade structures, pump houses, and similar uses when the gross floor area does not exceed 120 square feet, height does not exceed 12 feet, and roof projection does not exceed 24 inches
Certain fences and ground signs, subject to the height/setback conditions stated in the city's exemption bulletin
Certain nonhazardous tanks meeting the city's listed support and dimension limits
Minor electrical repair work such as replacement of lamps, switches, receptacle devices, sockets, and similar items
Limited plumbing exhibition setups with no connection to a water or drainage system
Other narrowly defined exemptions listed in the city's "When Building Permits Are Not Required" bulletin
- Exempt One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool or storage sheds, shade structures, pump houses, and similar uses when the gross floor area does not exceed 120 square feet, height does not exceed 12 feet, and roof projection does not exceed 24 inches
- Exempt Certain fences and ground signs, subject to the height/setback conditions stated in the city's exemption bulletin
- Exempt Certain nonhazardous tanks meeting the city's listed support and dimension limits
- Exempt Minor electrical repair work such as replacement of lamps, switches, receptacle devices, sockets, and similar items
- Exempt Limited plumbing exhibition setups with no connection to a water or drainage system
- Exempt Other narrowly defined exemptions listed in the city's "When Building Permits Are Not Required" bulletin
Note: West Covina's exemption bulletin states plumbing, electrical, and/or mechanical permits may still be required for work associated with otherwise exempt building work. The bulletin also states Planning Division approval may still be required for location, height, and design issues even when a Building permit is not required.
Required documents
- At minimum, the city points applicants to the permit and plan check application plus project plans and supporting attachments. Depending on project and applicant type, West Covina also provides and may require items such as an owner-builder declaration, licensed contractor declaration, mechanical/electrical/plumbing questionnaire, accessibility summary, structural observation report, special inspection form, and other project-specific reports/calculations.
- Building code
- City webpages currently cite review for compliance with the 2019 California Building Code, 2019 California Fire Code, the California Health and Safety Code, and the West Covina Municipal Code. West Covina's Building Division also states it uses the California Building Codes generally.
- Permit validity
- Plan check expires 180 days after application if no permit is issued. The Building Official may extend action up to 180 days on written request when circumstances beyond the applicant's control prevented action. A permit expires if work is not commenced within 1 year from permit issuance or if final inspection is not achieved within 1 year after the last required inspection approval. Written extensions may be granted for up to 180 days each if city criteria are met and fees are paid.
- Owner-builder
- Before an owner-builder permit is issued, the owner-builder declaration must be completed and signed by the property owner. The form warns that owner-builders become the legally and financially responsible party of record, must verify contractor licensing/insurance if they hire others, and may have employer/workers-comp obligations if labor is hired.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors pulling permits must provide photo ID, a current City of West Covina business license, a current California contractor's license and classification, and proof of valid workers' compensation insurance. Agents for contractors need authorization and license documentation. Property owners or authorized agents may also pull permits with the required documentation.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: The Building Division says applications are processed first come, first served. The portal instructions say completeness review begins the next business day after submittal. The city's FY 2025-26 proposed budget states a goal of maintaining a 10 business day plan check turnaround and next-day inspection scheduling, but that is a performance goal rather than a guaranteed posted SLA.
- 01 Confirm whether Planning, Fire, or Engineering approvals are required before or alongside Building review. West Covina notes that different Community Development permits may apply depending on the project.
- 02 Prepare the Building permit/plan check application and supporting documents. The city's forms page includes the permit and plan check application, owner-builder declaration, contractor declaration, extension request form, and sample residential plans.
- 03 Create a portal profile in the One Stop Building Permit Center Portal and enter project/contact information.
- 04 Upload plans and supporting documents in the correct portal sections. West Covina's instructions say plan sheets belong in the plan review files area, while applications, calculations, reports, and similar materials belong in attachments.
- 05 Submit the application online. The city says projects may be submitted 24/7, but completeness review starts the following business day. If complete, status changes to "ACCEPTED"; if incomplete, the applicant is notified of missing items.
- 06 Respond to corrections and resubmit through the portal as needed. The Building Division processes applications first come, first served, and sends correspondence through the GoPost portal and staff email.
- 07 After approval, pay fees and obtain the permit before starting work. West Covina states work requiring a permit may not begin until plans are approved and the permit is issued.
- 08 Schedule required inspections. Building inspection requests are made by phone at 626-939-8425; separate Fire and Planning final inspections may also apply depending on the project.
Typical processing time: The Building Division says applications are processed first come, first served. The portal instructions say completeness review begins the next business day after submittal. The city's FY 2025-26 proposed budget states a goal of maintaining a 10 business day plan check turnaround and next-day inspection scheduling, but that is a performance goal rather than a guaranteed posted SLA.
Source: City of West Covina Community Development Department, Building Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
West Covina building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Permit issuance fee is $55.03. The valuation table begins with a $130.21 standard building permit fee tier, and the minimum standard plan check fee shown is $162.77.
02
Plan check fee
85% of the building permit fee for standard building permits; minimum standard plan check fee shown is $162.77. The permit application also states plan check covers the 1st and 2nd reviews, with additional reviews charged hourly.
03
Permit fee formula
General building permit fees are valuation-based under Table 1A. Plan check fee is 85% of the building permit fee. Some permit categories use flat fees or category-specific schedules, including electrical, plumbing, mechanical, reroof, patios, pools, and solar.
04
Trade permit fee
General building permit fees are valuation-based under Table 1A. Plan check fee is 85% of the building permit fee. Some permit categories use flat fees or category-specific schedules, including electrical, plumbing, mechanical, reroof, patios, pools, and solar.
05
Penalty (no permit)
Reconvert inspection/investigation fee for work without permit is $130.82 each; work without permit is charged at double the permit fee; permit documentation retention fee is 0.50% of the building, mechanical, plumbing, or electrical permit fee with a $10.72 minimum.
The cited city fee schedule identifies the applicable fee tables, but the reviewed city pages do not publish detailed payment-method or online payment-processing notes for general building permits.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Building inspection requests are listed on the Building Division page as phone requests at 626-939-8425. Planning final inspections, when required, are scheduled by calling 626-939-8422. Fire inspections/finals are requested through the Fire Department at 626-939-8823, and the fire inspection request form is at (online)
- 626-939-8425 (phone)
- 626-939-8422 (phone)
- 626-939-8823 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- The city budget states a goal of next-day inspection scheduling, but the general Building page does not publish a formal inspection window for all project types.
- Inspection hours
- Building Division counter hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. For solar permits, the city specifically says to call 626-939-8425 Monday through Thursday between 7:30 am and 4:00 pm to schedule inspection. The city budget states a goal of next-day inspection scheduling, but the general Building page does not publish a formal inspection window for all project types.
- Time windows
- Building Division counter hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. For solar permits, the city specifically says to call 626-939-8425 Monday through Thursday between 7:30 am and 4:00 pm to schedule inspection. The city budget states a goal of next-day inspection scheduling, but the general Building page does not publish a formal inspection window for all project types.
Typical sequence: Typical progression is permit issuance, required rough/trade inspections during construction, then final inspection(s). For tenant improvements and similar fire-reviewed work, West Covina Fire notes that fire inspection and final approval are required before the Building Division will accept a building final inspection request. Some projects also require a final Planning inspection.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about West Covina permits
01 Do I need a building permit in West Covina, CA? ▸
West Covina requires permits for work that is not specifically exempt. The city states any work requiring a permit may not start until plans are approved and the permit is issued. Separate building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits/forms are used as applicable.
02 How much does a building permit cost in West Covina, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in West Covina, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Permit issuance fee is $55.03. The valuation table begins with a $130.21 standard building permit fee tier, and the minimum standard plan check fee shown is $162.77.. Fees are calculated as: General building permit fees are valuation-based under Table 1A. Plan check fee is 85% of the building permit fee. Some permit categories use flat fees or category-specific schedules, including electrical, plumbing, mechanical, reroof, patios, pools, and solar.. Plan check fee: 85% of the building permit fee for standard building permits; minimum standard plan check fee shown is $162.77. The permit application also states plan check covers the 1st and 2nd reviews, with additional reviews charged hourly..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in West Covina, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in West Covina, CA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether Planning, Fire, or Engineering approvals are required before or alongside Building review. West Covina notes that different Community Development permits may apply depending on the project. 2. Prepare the Building permit/plan check application and supporting documents. The city's forms page includes the permit and plan check application, owner-builder declaration, contractor declaration, extension request form, and sample residential plans. 3. Create a portal profile in the One Stop Building Permit Center Portal and enter project/contact information. 4. Upload plans and supporting documents in the correct portal sections. West Covina's instructions say plan sheets belong in the plan review files area, while applications, calculations, reports, and similar materials belong in attachments. 5. Submit the application online. The city says projects may be submitted 24/7, but completeness review starts the following business day. If complete, status changes to "ACCEPTED"; if incomplete, the applicant is notified of missing items. 6. Respond to corrections and resubmit through the portal as needed. The Building Division processes applications first come, first served, and sends correspondence through the GoPost portal and staff email. 7. After approval, pay fees and obtain the permit before starting work. West Covina states work requiring a permit may not begin until plans are approved and the permit is issued. 8. Schedule required inspections. Building inspection requests are made by phone at 626-939-8425; separate Fire and Planning final inspections may also apply depending on the project.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in West Covina, CA? ▸
Building permit processing times in West Covina, CA typically run The Building Division says applications are processed first come, first served. The portal instructions say completeness review begins the next business day after submittal. The city's FY 2025-26 proposed budget states a goal of maintaining a 10 business day plan check turnaround and next-day inspection scheduling, but that is a performance goal rather than a guaranteed posted SLA.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in West Covina, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in West Covina, CA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool or storage sheds, shade structures, pump houses, and similar uses when the gross floor area does not exceed 120 square feet, height does not exceed 12 feet, and roof projection does not exceed 24 inches; Certain fences and ground signs, subject to the height/setback conditions stated in the city's exemption bulletin; Certain nonhazardous tanks meeting the city's listed support and dimension limits; Minor electrical repair work such as replacement of lamps, switches, receptacle devices, sockets, and similar items; Limited plumbing exhibition setups with no connection to a water or drainage system; Other narrowly defined exemptions listed in the city's "When Building Permits Are Not Required" bulletin. Note: West Covina's exemption bulletin states plumbing, electrical, and/or mechanical permits may still be required for work associated with otherwise exempt building work. The bulletin also states Planning Division approval may still be required for location, height, and design issues even when a Building permit is not required. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in West Covina, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in West Covina, CA via: Building inspection requests are listed on the Building Division page as phone requests at 626-939-8425. Planning final inspections, when required, are scheduled by calling 626-939-8422. Fire inspections/finals are requested through the Fire Department at 626-939-8823, and the fire inspection request form is at, 626-939-8425, 626-939-8422, 626-939-8823. The city budget states a goal of next-day inspection scheduling, but the general Building page does not publish a formal inspection window for all project types..
last verified April 2026
source City of West Covina Community Development Department, Building Division ↗
entry id permits/california/los-angeles/west-covina
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of West Covina Community Development Department, Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.