New Construction in Calabasas
Most new construction in Calabasas begins with a lot that already has a house on it. Because the city was built out as planned hillside subdivisions before it incorporated in 1991, the typical home is a two-story tract or gated community build from the 1970s through the 1990s. Many of those houses are worth remodeling, but when a home sits on a tired foundation, runs too small, or cannot carry structural changes without rebuilding most of it anyway, a tear-down rebuild is often the cleaner path. Horizon Construction and Remodeling manages new construction in Calabasas from the initial lot review through design, engineering, permitting, demolition, and final inspection, under one contract.
Services We Offer
Engineering & Title 24
Permits & Plan Check
New Build ADUs
Our New Construction Process in Calabasas
New construction in Calabasas starts well before any floor plan is drawn, because the lot itself sets the rules. The hillside topography common across neighborhoods like Calabasas Hills and The Colony means a boundary and topographic survey, along with a soils report, are essential early steps that tell us what the foundation must handle and what grading work lies ahead. If the site has mature oaks, we account for the city’s Oak Tree Ordinance before anything else moves forward, since work near a protected tree can require its own permit from the City of Calabasas Building and Safety Division before construction begins.
From there, design takes shape through site plans, floor plans, and elevations refined until the layout fits how you actually live. Structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents are prepared alongside the drawings so the plan set enters plan check complete. While plans are under review, we address comments, coordinate utility work, and handle any required surveys or notifications ahead of demolition. Once permits issue, the build runs in sequence from foundation through framing, rough trades, insulation, and finishes, with one project manager present for every inspection through final.
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Building a new home in Calabasas means working through several review desks before a shovel goes in the ground. Permits go through the City of Calabasas Building and Safety Division, and for a new house that process typically touches planning, building plan check, the fire department, and public works. Planning reviews the design against zoning requirements such as setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, and floor area. Building plan check examines the structural documents and energy compliance package, the fire department looks at sprinkler systems and site access, and public works covers grading, drainage, street trenching, and any new driveway approach.
One permit detail that catches homeowners off guard in Calabasas is the city’s Oak Tree Ordinance, codified under Section 17.32 of the municipal code. If construction activity falls near a protected oak, a separate oak tree permit is typically required before work can begin. That review happens on top of the standard building permit process, so it needs to be identified early in the planning stage. If demolition of an existing structure is involved, that work needs its own permit as well. Before demolition proceeds, most building departments require the gas and electric services to be disconnected and the sewer lateral capped, and the South Coast AQMD typically requires an asbestos survey and advance notification ahead of most demolitions.
Utility sizing changes with a new house. Required fire sprinklers often mean a larger water meter and service line than the old home carried. A larger house with solar and modern electrical loads may also need a new service connection from the utility, and that work carries its own lead time that should be planned for early. Given that Calabasas developed largely through hillside subdivisions, graded lots and sloped terrain are common, which makes a geotechnical report a necessary first step before foundation design begins. That report identifies expansive clay, old fill, groundwater, and slope stability concerns. Where state-mapped liquefaction or landslide zones apply, a site-specific investigation is required. The structural engineer uses those findings to size footings and design the shear walls, hold-downs, and beams that California’s seismic requirements demand.
Energy compliance must meet the 2025 Title 24 standards for permits filed on or after January 1, 2026, and new single-family homes are required to include solar PV. Some measures need field verification by a third-party HERS rater. If the property falls within a CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone, wildland-urban interface standards apply, including a Class A roof, ember-resistant vents, ignition-resistant exterior materials, and multipane windows with tempered glass. Inspections cover every major stage, from foundation forms and reinforcing steel through framing, rough-in trades, and insulation, all the way to the final sign-off.
Other Remodeling Services We Offer
A kitchen remodel touches more trades than any other room in the house: layout, cabinetry, plumbing, electrical, ventilation and finishes. Horizon designs and builds kitchen remodels under one contract, from the measured layout to the final inspection.
Whether you envision a classic Southern California pool or a fully customized backyard oasis, Horizon Construction & Remodeling delivers the highest level of quality and service. Our comprehensive pool design and remodeling services cover everything from layout and decking to built-in BBQs and final touches like landscaping. Let Horizon be your trusted partner in transforming your backyard into the perfect outdoor retreat.
If you are planning a complete bathroom remodel or simply want to change your tub, shower, update your plumbing fixtures, or make the space more efficient, our team at Horizon will help you through the process with expert advice, professional craftsmanship, and affordable options with beautiful results. Learn more about our bathroom remodeling services.
Transform your space with our expert interior work services. We offer a comprehensive range of solutions — from space planning and custom design to the selection of high-quality finishes and materials. Our team of experienced professionals works closely with you to create a space that’s both functional and stylish, tailored to your unique needs, goals, and budget. Whether you’re updating a single room or overhauling your entire interior, we bring precision, creativity, and craftsmanship to every project.
At Horizon, we believe your home is more than just four walls — it’s where life happens. It’s the place you relax, gather with family and friends, and create lasting memories. That’s why we offer a full range of exterior work services designed to elevate your outdoor living space. From patios and hardscaping to custom decks and exterior renovations, we help turn your vision into a dream yard that complements your lifestyle and enhances curb appeal.
At Horizon Construction & Remodeling, our expert team includes a dedicated design and planning division that works hand-in-hand with licensed architects and structural engineers. We take care of everything — from detailed plans and blueprints to securing city permits — so you don’t have to deal with delays or red tape. Our goal is to streamline the process and provide a fully approved set of documents that aligns with both your vision and city regulations, saving you time and stress.
Why Choose Horizon Remodeling For New Construction in Calabasas
Horizon Construction and Remodeling has held an active Class B general building license since 2009, and we are licensed and bonded. Before you sign anything, you can verify our standing directly on the CSLB website. New construction is the largest undertaking a residential contractor handles, and we treat it that way from the first site visit through the final walkthrough with your building inspector.
We work design-build, meaning design, engineering coordination, permits, and construction all sit under one contract with a single project manager. That matters in Calabasas because permits run through the City of Calabasas Building and Safety Division, and if your lot has a protected oak tree nearby, an oak tree permit under the city’s ordinance may need to be secured before ground breaks. Having one team manage those steps keeps the process from stalling at plan check.
California energy code, CALGreen, and fire sprinkler requirements are built into the design from the earliest drawings, not added later as change orders. Calabasas grew through hillside tract development mostly in the 1970s through 1990s, and many lots carry slope or grading considerations that shape what a new home can hold. Call (714) 449-9035 to talk through what your Calabasas lot can support.
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New Construction FAQ
Should I rebuild or remodel my house in Calabasas?
The right choice depends on the condition of your house and what your lot will allow. A full rebuild tends to make sense when the foundation has serious problems, when nearly every system needs replacing and most walls are moving anyway, when you want a second story the existing structure cannot carry, or when zoning allows a larger or better-sited footprint. In Calabasas, where much of the housing stock dates to the 1970s through the 1990s, those conditions come up more often than homeowners expect. If the structure is sound and the work is mainly a new layout and finishes, a whole-home remodel is usually simpler to permit through the City of Calabasas Building and Safety Division. We walk the property with you and give you a straight comparison before you commit to either path.
What permits does a new home need?
New construction in Calabasas typically requires several permits before a shovel goes in the ground: a demolition permit for the existing structure, a building permit for the new home, and usually grading, utility, and driveway permits from public works. Plans go through the City of Calabasas Building and Safety Division, with planning, fire, and public works departments each signing off. Lots in a fire hazard severity zone receive added fire-code review, and if a protected oak tree stands nearby, an oak tree permit may be required before construction begins. We handle the submittals, comments, and resubmittals throughout the process.
How long does it take to build a new home?
New construction timelines in Calabasas vary more than most homeowners expect, and design and permitting alone can take as long as the build itself. Plan check commonly runs several months, and that window stretches further when hillside grading, fire-zone review, or a protected oak on the lot triggers additional permits through the City of Calabasas Building and Safety Division. Once permits are in hand, building a custom home typically runs around a year, longer for larger footprints or significant site work. Weather, utility scheduling, and inspection availability all affect the pace, so we work out a realistic schedule for your specific lot after the feasibility review.
What drives the cost of building a new home?
New construction costs in Calabasas depend most on size and complexity, particularly second stories, long spans, and irregular footprints common on the hillside lots that define most of the city. Foundation type is driven by soils and slope conditions, and site work, including demolition, grading, retaining walls, and utility upgrades, can vary considerably from one parcel to the next. Because much of Calabasas sits in designated fire zones, those requirements can add meaningful cost, as does the finish level you choose throughout. If your lot has a protected oak, the city’s Oak Tree Ordinance may require a separate oak tree permit before work begins, which is worth factoring in early. City impact fees and school fees on new square footage vary by jurisdiction and district. Once we complete a feasibility review, we break the budget into these categories so you can see exactly where your decisions carry the most weight.
Do new homes in California need solar and fire sprinklers?
Yes, new single-family homes in Calabasas must meet several layered code requirements, and we design to all of them from the start. The California Residential Code requires automatic fire sprinklers in new one- and two-family homes, which affects both water service size and ceiling layout. Solar PV has been mandatory since the 2019 energy standards, and the 2025 Title 24 standards build on that for permits filed from January 1, 2026. CALGreen adds requirements covering water use, construction waste recycling, indoor air quality, and EV charging readiness.
Can you build an ADU along with the new house?
Yes, adding an ADU is straightforward when it is planned alongside a new build. Sizing water, sewer, and electrical service for both units at once is more efficient than retrofitting later, and the site plan can give each unit a separate entry and outdoor space from the start. State law allows ADUs on most single-family lots, though setbacks, height, and parking rules still apply. Permits go through the City of Calabasas Building and Safety Division, and if any protected oak trees are near the build area, an oak tree permit may be required before work begins under the city’s Oak Tree Ordinance. We can permit the ADU together with the main house or handle it as its own separate project, and we also build guest houses.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Calabasas and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.