West Covina is in California climate zone 9, and its Building Division takes plans only through the One Stop Building Permit Center Portal. Email submittals are no longer accepted. We prepare the Title 24 report (CF1R) as PDF sheets ready to upload with your plans.
What climate zone is West Covina in?
Climate zone 9. On the California Energy Commission's ZIP code list, all West Covina ZIP codes are zone 9: 91790, 91791, 91792 and 91793.
Who reviews building plans in West Covina?
The Building Division of the Community Development Department.
How do I submit plans in West Covina?
Through the portal. The Building Division's page says:
Effective Immediately: To ensure efficient and effective service, the Building Division is no longer accepting applications via email.
It describes the One Stop Building Permit Center as "a single place for residence and developers to submit and coordinate projects and plan checks." Applications, plans and supporting documents all go through that portal. Older advice to email plans is out of date.
Include the registered CF1R in your plan set PDF.
What is the ADU process in West Covina?
The city's ADU page describes a Planning step before building plan check:
- Submit the ADU application for review. The page says the city has 30 days to review a project from the initial official submittal.
- You receive either an Incomplete (Correction) Letter or an Approval Letter.
- The Approval Letter is not a construction permit. It "allows the applicant to submit to Building and/or Engineering for plan check."
You need the Title 24 report at the plan check step. It is worth having it ready when you get the Approval Letter.
Does West Covina have pre-approved ADU plans?
The city has a Pre-Approved ADU Plans page. At the time of writing, it says it "will soon contain a listing of ADU plans that have been pre-approved by the City of West Covina." Check the page for the current list.
What will my West Covina ADU's report need?
Under the 2025 Energy Code:
- New detached ADU: treated as a new home. It usually needs new solar PV. It must also meet battery-ready rules, unless its electric service is 125 amps or less.
- Attached ADU or garage conversion: an addition. No solar required.
- Conversion of already-conditioned space: an alteration.
In climate zone 9:
- Prescriptive ceiling insulation for additions is R-38.
- Window U-factor for additions and alterations is 0.30 maximum.
- Refrigerant charge testing applies to new heat pumps and new air conditioners.
See Title 24 for ADUs and ECC rater testing for ADUs.
Need a report for a West Covina project? See our flat prices.
Frequently asked questions
What climate zone is West Covina in?
Climate zone 9. West Covina's ZIP codes (91790, 91791, 91792 and 91793) are all zone 9 on the California Energy Commission's ZIP code list.
Can I email plans to West Covina's Building Division?
No. The Building Division's page says it is no longer accepting applications via email. Applications, plans and supporting documents go through the One Stop Building Permit Center Portal.
What comes before building plan check for an ADU in West Covina?
The city's ADU page describes a Planning review that ends in an Approval Letter or a Correction Letter. The Approval Letter is not a construction permit, but it allows you to submit to Building and/or Engineering for plan check.
Related
Sources
- energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/programs/building-energy-efficiency-standards/climate-zone-tool-maps-and
- energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/BuildingClimateZonesByZIPCode_ada.xlsx
- westcovina.gov/228/Building-Division
- westcovina.gov/250/Accessory-Dwelling-Units-ADU
- westcovina.gov/438/Pre-Approved-ADU-Plans
- energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/programs/building-energy-efficiency-standards/energy-code-support-center-6/2025