New Construction in Anaheim
Most new construction in Anaheim begins with a lot that already has a house sitting on it. The city grew in distinct waves, from the 1857 colony and the 1876 incorporation through the surge of postwar tract housing that followed Disneyland’s 1955 opening, and then into the larger two-story plans that spread across Anaheim Hills from 1971 onward. Many of those older single-story slab homes are worth remodeling, but when a house is too small, carries a compromised foundation, or simply cannot support a second story without rebuilding most of the structure anyway, a tear-down and rebuild is often the cleaner path. Horizon Construction and Remodeling manages new construction in Anaheim from the initial lot review through design, engineering, City of Anaheim Building Division permits, demolition, and final inspection, all under one contract.
Services We Offer
Engineering & Title 24
Permits & Plan Check
New Build ADUs
Our New Construction Process in Anaheim
How We Approach New Construction in Anaheim
New construction in Anaheim starts long before a floor plan is drawn. We open with a zoning review, a boundary and topographic survey, and a soils report, because what the ground can support and what the City of Anaheim Building Division will approve shape every decision that follows. If the site sits within one of the city’s four historic districts, such as the Anaheim Colony or Five Points, the preservation program adds review layers that the plan set must address from the start. Structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents are prepared alongside the drawings so that the submission goes into plan check complete, not piecemeal.
While plans are under review, we answer comments, coordinate utility work, and handle the asbestos survey and air district notification required before any demolition begins. Once permits issue, the sequence runs in order: foundation, framing, rough plumbing, electrical, mechanical and fire sprinkler lines, insulation, then exterior and interior finishes. A single project manager runs the job from groundbreak through every inspection to final sign-off.
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Pulling a permit for new construction in Anaheim means working through several city departments at once, not just a single counter. The City of Anaheim Building Division handles plan check for structural and energy documents, but planning reviews your design against zoning rules covering setbacks, height, lot coverage, and floor area. The fire department checks sprinkler systems and site access, and public works reviews grading, drainage, any street trenching, and the new driveway approach. If there is an existing structure on the lot, demolition requires its own separate permit, and most building departments will want gas and electric service disconnected and the sewer lateral capped before that permit issues.
Anaheim carries added layers that are worth understanding early. Because the City Council has adopted four historic districts, including the Anaheim Colony and Five Points, properties within or near those areas may face design review that goes beyond standard zoning. Mills Act contracts and the citywide historic preservation program shape what is appropriate in those neighborhoods, so a pre-application conversation with the planning department can surface those constraints before the design is too far along. The South Coast AQMD also requires an asbestos survey and advance notification before most demolitions, which affects your schedule regardless of historic district status.
Utility sizing follows the new house, not whatever was there before. Required fire sprinklers often call for a larger water meter and service line. A house with modern electrical loads, solar PV, and a larger footprint may need a new utility service altogether, and the utility company’s own lead time sits outside the city’s control. A geotechnical report has to come before foundation design. It identifies expansive clay, old fill, groundwater, and slope stability issues. In state-mapped liquefaction or landslide zones, a site-specific investigation is required. The structural engineer uses those findings to size footings, design post-tensioned slabs or grade beams, and lay out shear walls and hold-downs for California seismic requirements. On sloped lots, common in Anaheim Hills, the same report drives retaining wall design and the grading plan.
Energy compliance follows Title 24 standards, and new single-family homes must include solar PV. Some measures require field verification by a third-party HERS rater. If the lot falls within a CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone, wildland-urban interface standards apply: Class A roofing, ember-resistant vents, ignition-resistant exterior materials, and multipane windows with tempered glass. City inspections cover every stage, from foundation forms and steel placement through framing, rough-ins, 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 Anaheim
Horizon Construction and Remodeling has held an active Class B general building contractor license since 2009, and we are licensed and bonded. New construction is the most complex work a residential contractor takes on, and we encourage every homeowner to verify our standing directly on the CSLB website before signing a contract.
We operate on a design-build basis, meaning design, engineering coordination, permits, and construction all move under a single contract managed by one project manager. In Anaheim, permits for new residential construction go through the City of Anaheim Building Division, and having the same team handle plan check comments that prepared the drawings keeps that process moving. For properties in areas like the Anaheim Colony or Five Points, where the City Council has adopted historic district designations backed by a citywide preservation program and Mills Act contracts, early coordination with the Building Division is especially important. We work CALGreen, solar, and fire sprinkler requirements into the design from the start rather than treating them as late additions.
Material selections take place at our office in Fullerton, where you can review cabinetry, tile, stone, and fixtures in person. Call (714) 449-9035 to discuss your Anaheim lot and what the site can support.
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New Construction FAQ
Should I rebuild or remodel my house in Anaheim?
Whether a full rebuild or a whole-home remodel makes more sense depends on the house and the lot. A new build tends to be the right call when the foundation has serious structural problems, when nearly every system needs replacing and most walls would move anyway, when you want a second story the existing frame cannot carry, or when zoning allows a larger or better-positioned structure. In Anaheim Hills, where many homes are two-story plans built from the 1970s onward on larger lots, there is often room to rebuild at a greater footprint than the original house occupied. If the existing structure is sound and the goal is mainly a new layout and updated finishes, a whole-home remodel is typically simpler to permit through the City of Anaheim Building Division. We walk every property and give you a straight comparison of both paths before you commit to anything.
What permits does a new home need?
New construction in Anaheim requires several permits issued through the City of Anaheim Building Division, and the list typically includes a demolition permit for the existing structure, a building permit for the new home, and grading, utility, and driveway permits through public works. Planning, fire, and public works departments each sign off as well. Properties within a fire hazard severity zone, which covers portions of Anaheim Hills, face additional fire-code review. We prepare all submittal packages and manage every round of comments and resubmittals on your behalf.
How long does it take to build a new home?
There is no single answer on timing because design, permitting, and construction each add to the total. Plan check through the City of Anaheim Building Division commonly runs several months, and projects that require additional planning review or fire-zone clearance, as can apply to hillside parcels in Anaheim Hills, take longer still. Construction on a custom home often runs close to a year, and larger plans or sites with significant grading work stretch that further. Utility scheduling and inspection availability affect the pace as well, so we give you a realistic schedule after we review your specific lot.
What drives the cost of building a new home?
New construction costs in Anaheim depend on several overlapping factors, and no two lots land in exactly the same place. Size and complexity drive the base number first, particularly when a plan calls for a second story, long structural spans, or a floor plan with many corners. Foundation work is shaped by soil conditions and slope, and site preparation, which can include demolition of an older postwar tract house, grading, retaining walls, or utility upgrades, varies considerably from one parcel to the next. Projects in Anaheim Hills tend to involve steeper terrain and larger footprints than the slab-on-grade lots common to the older Colony-area streets, so those variables shift accordingly. Finish selections throughout the home add another layer, as do city impact fees and school fees tied to new square footage, both set by the relevant 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 Anaheim must meet several statewide requirements, and we design to all of them from the start. The California Residential Code mandates automatic fire sprinklers in new one- and two-family homes, which affects both water service sizing and ceiling layout. Solar PV has been required on new single-family homes since the 2019 energy standards, and the 2025 Title 24 updates apply to permits filed from January 1, 2026. CALGreen adds rules covering water use, construction waste recycling, indoor air quality, and EV charging readiness.
Can you build an ADU along with the new house?
Yes, and new construction is the most practical time to add an ADU. Sizing the water, sewer, and electrical service for two units at once costs far less than returning to the site later, and the site plan can position each unit with its own 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 Anaheim Building Division, and we can include the ADU in the main house permit or file it separately.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Anaheim and the surrounding Orange County communities.