# Sign Regulations in Covina, California

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Covina, California, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Covina, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/covina
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-03
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/46923114#46923114)

## At a glance

Covina, California regulates 30 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Service Station – Monument Signs in the Commercial, administrative and professional office zone (C-P); Commercial zone (neighborhood shopping center) (C-2); Commercial zone (central business) (C-3); Commercial zone (regional or community shopping centers) (C-3A); Commercial zone (highway) (C-4); Commercial zone (specified highway) (C-5); Commercial zone (recreation) (C-R) zoning district are capped at 10 ft (maximum overall height) tall and 26 sq ft per side (maximum), with a Located within planting area; observe visibility and setback rules. setback (Sec. CMC § 17.74.060(A)(1), (3)). Most commercial signs in Covina require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial, administrative and professional office zone (C-P); Commercial zone (neighborhood shopping center) (C-2); Commercial zone (central business) (C-3); Commercial zone (regional or community shopping centers) (C-3A); Commercial zone (highway) (C-4); Commercial zone (specified highway) (C-5); Commercial zone (recreation) (C-R) | 13 | 18 ft (maximum); bottom of sign between 8 ft and 10 ft above grade | Building/wall‑mounted banners/flags/streamers: each ≤100 sq ft or ≤2.5 sq ft per linear foot of building/wall front (whichever is less); window painting/posters ≤50% of window area; light‑standard mounted bunting/flags/streamers/banners: total ≤50 sq ft per light standard | — |
| C-3A (Shoppers Lane district) | 5 | Pole height ≤9 ft (to top of pennant/flag) | 15 sq ft per side (maximum) | — |
| TC-C; TC-P | 5 | Pole height ≤9 ft (to top) | 15 sq ft per side (maximum) | — |
| Light manufacturing zone (M-1) | 3 | — | Wall‑mounted banners/flags/streamers: ≤100 sq ft each or ≤2.5 sq ft per linear foot of building/wall front (whichever less); window items ≤50% of window area; on light standards: ≤50 sq ft per standard | — |
| Outdoor Advertising Structure Overlay (S) | 3 | 85 ft maximum (measured from finished grade to highest element) | Display panel ≤700 sq ft (per panel); up to two panels per structure (single‑sided or double‑sided) | — |
| Mixed-Use Overlay District (MUOD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Planned Community Development District (PCD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | Base: 32 sq ft total where frontage ≤100 linear ft; if frontage >100 ft, increase by 0.5 sq ft per linear foot of frontage beyond 100 ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Commercial, administrative and professional office zone (C-P); Commercial zone (neighborhood shopping center) (C-2); Commercial zone (central business) (C-3); Commercial zone (regional or community shopping centers) (C-3A); Commercial zone (highway) (C-4); Commercial zone (specified highway) (C-5); Commercial zone (recreation) (C-R)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | May be located within street setback; may not project into present or future right‑of‑way. | — | On building face; may be within street setback but may not extend into present or future right‑of‑way. | — | CMC §§ 17.74.030(A)-(D), 17.74.050(A)-(N), 17.74.020(O), 17.74.020(FF), 17.74.020(FF), 17.74.050(C)-(F), (L)-(N) |
| Identification Sign (Address Only) (Permit‑Exempt) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | One per premises | On building/premises. | — | CMC § 17.74.040(A) |
| Temporary Promotional Signs – Banners/Flags/Streamers/Window Painting/Window Posters/Balloons | — | Banners/flags/streamers: total 50 sq ft per site (or 100 sq ft if principal building frontage >100 ft); window painting/posters up to 50% of window area (not counted against 50/100 sq ft total); balloons ≤3.5 cubic ft each; up to 2 balloons per linear foot of building frontage | — | No placement in public right‑of‑way; must not create hazards or obstruct sight distances. | Max 3 banners/building; balloons: ≤2 per linear foot of frontage; large inflatable: 1 with ACUP up to 30 days/year | Banners flush to wall or over landscaped area; window items on glazing; balloons on site. | — | CMC §§ 17.74.055(A)-(E) |
| Temporary Signs – Outdoor Uses on Large Sites (Optional Alternative to 17.74.055) | — | Building/wall‑mounted banners/flags/streamers: each ≤100 sq ft or ≤2.5 sq ft per linear foot of building/wall front (whichever is less); window painting/posters ≤50% of window area; light‑standard mounted bunting/flags/streamers/banners: total ≤50 sq ft per light standard | — | Within approved display area; not in right‑of‑way. | — | On buildings/walls, within city‑approved outdoor display areas, or on light standards on qualifying sites. | — | CMC §§ 17.74.056(A)-(D) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Permit‑Exempt) | — | 16 sq ft per face (maximum) | — | — | One per occupancy or per street frontage | On the property to which it refers. | — | CMC § 17.74.040(G) |
| Temporary Contractor Sign(s) (Permit‑Exempt) | 8 ft overall height (directory sign) | Single firm sign ≤16 sq ft; or one construction directory sign ≤32 sq ft per face; | — | — | — | At construction site. | — | CMC § 17.74.040(H) |
| Service Station – Monument Sign | 10 ft (maximum overall height) | 26 sq ft per side (maximum) | — | Located within planting area; observe visibility and setback rules. | Up to two monument signs; or one monument + one freestanding (alternative) | Within a planting/landscaped area on site. | — | CMC § 17.74.060(A)(1), (3) |
| Service Station – Freestanding Sign | 18 ft (maximum); bottom of sign between 8 ft and 10 ft above grade | 26 sq ft per face (maximum); up to 3 faces | — | Located within/over a planting area; visibility maintained. | Up to two; or one with combined area if approved | Within or over a planting area on site. | — | CMC § 17.74.060(A)(2) |

### C-3A (Shoppers Lane district)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sidewalk Sign (A‑frame) (Shoppers Lane) | 3 ft to 5 ft (overall sign height) | 6 sq ft per side (maximum) | — | Must maintain ADA/clear path and visibility; not in crosswalks. | 1 per ground‑floor business; 1 per building for upstairs/downstairs businesses | On premises or public sidewalk adjacent to business; must not obstruct required walkways/entries, crosswalks, seating, or impede driver visibility. | — | CMC § 17.74.063(B)-(K); 17.74.040(I) |
| Pennant/Flag (Pedestrian Pole Flag) (Shoppers Lane) | Pole height ≤9 ft (to top of pennant/flag) | 15 sq ft per side (maximum) | — | Maintain clear path and visibility. | 1 per business (alternative to sidewalk sign) | On premises or public sidewalk adjacent, subject to sidewalk permit and safety/visibility clearance. | — | CMC § 17.74.063(C), (F) |
| Painted Sign (Principal Wall Sign Alternative) (Shoppers Lane) | — | — | — | — | — | Painted/silk‑screened onto building wall or window (permanent). | — | CMC § 17.74.020(JJ); 17.74.062(B)-(J) |
| Mural (Shoppers Lane) | — | — | — | — | — | Exterior wall; if on a wall that would not normally qualify as eligible wall for a sign, approval of mural makes that side eligible (does not increase max signage). | — | CMC §§ 17.74.020(II), 17.74.061(B)-(H) |
| All General Commercial Signs (from Commercial zones) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | CMC Ch. 17.74 generally |

### TC-C; TC-P

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sidewalk Sign (A‑frame) | 3 ft to 5 ft (overall sign height) | 6 sq ft per side (maximum) | — | Maintain ADA/visibility clearances. | 1 per ground‑floor business; or 1 per building for upstairs/downstairs businesses | On premises or public sidewalk adjacent; must not obstruct required walkways/entries, crosswalks, seating, or driver visibility. | — | CMC §§ 17.74.020(KK), 17.74.040(I), 17.74.063(B)-(K) |
| Pennant/Flag (Pedestrian Pole Flag) | Pole height ≤9 ft (to top) | 15 sq ft per side (maximum) | — | Maintain clear path/visibility. | 1 per business (alternative to sidewalk sign) | On premises or public sidewalk adjacent; subject to sidewalk permit and safety clearances. | — | CMC § 17.74.063(C), (F) |
| Painted Sign (Principal Wall Sign Alternative) | — | — | — | — | — | Painted/silk‑screened onto building wall or window (permanent). | — | CMC §§ 17.74.020(JJ), 17.74.062(B)-(J) |
| Mural | — | — | — | — | — | Exterior wall; approval may render that wall eligible for signage under design guidelines (without increasing max signage). | — | CMC §§ 17.74.020(II), 17.74.061(B)-(H) |
| All General Commercial Signs (from Commercial zones) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | CMC Ch. 17.74 generally |

## Prohibited signs in Covina

- Roof signs are not permitted in any zone in the city.
- Outdoor advertising structures (billboards) are prohibited on any property except within an Outdoor Advertising Structure overlay (S) zone.
- Advertising for tobacco products or alcoholic beverages is prohibited on any billboard within any residential zone or within 1,000 feet of any school, park, recreational facility, youth center, or church.
- Incidental signs: posting on or affixing to public right-of-way objects (e.g., sidewalks, lampposts, poles, benches, hydrants, trees, street or traffic signs) is prohibited.
- Incidental signs: may not be constructed or located within the public right-of-way, may not obstruct sight distances or constitute a hazard, and must be at least five feet from any property line.
- Incidental signs: may not be affixed to permanent buildings, structures, or facilities using glue, mastic, tape, or tacks penetrating more than one-half inch.

## Signs exempt from permit in Covina

- Incidental signs: posting of legally required public notices by public officers or employees (e.g., notices under the Streets and Highways Code) is exempt.
- Incidental signs: posting is allowed on structures within the right-of-way designated for public communication (e.g., kiosks, bulletin boards, authorized advertising benches, newspaper racks, authorized billboards).
- Incidental signs: signs for events or activities sponsored by the city or redevelopment agency are exempt.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For new developments, a signing program must be submitted as part of the site plan review process (commercial zones).
- A coordinated signing program is required where several businesses require signing on the same property (commercial zones).
- Mixed-Use Overlay District projects require a sign program describing sign types, locations, sizes, colors, materials, and text; the program must be approved prior to issuance of a building permit.
- In TC-C, TC-P, and the Shoppers Lane area of C-3A, pennant/flag signage must conform to a coordinated signing program developed for those areas (and approved by city staff).
- Planned Community Development (PCD) precise plans must include the size, type, location, and design of all signs and advertising devices; no development or permits may be issued until the precise plan is approved.
- Outdoor advertising structures adjacent to landscaped freeways require compliance with Caltrans requirements, a City Council-approved development agreement, a conditional use permit, and a lighting study approved by the planning department.
- Minor variances may be granted administratively (without public hearing) for up to a 10 percent increase in sign area, height, or changes in sign location.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 8 zoning districts in Covina — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Covina+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-covina

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/covina