New Construction in Glendale
A tear-down rebuild is often the cleaner path when an existing house is too small, sits on a tired foundation, or cannot carry a second story without rebuilding most of it anyway. Glendale was developed in layers, from a 1920s and 1930s boom through a postwar wave to a 1980s round of apartment and condominium construction, so what you find on any given block, from a period revival house on a hillside street in Rossmoyne to a postwar bungalow to a 1980s condo, varies widely. That makes a lot review an important first step. Horizon Construction and Remodeling handles new construction in Glendale from that initial review through design, engineering, 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 Glendale
How We Approach New Construction in Glendale
New construction in Glendale starts with the land itself, not a catalog floor plan. We open with a zoning review, a boundary and topographic survey, and a soils report, because what Glendale’s varied terrain and layered development history left behind on any given lot shapes the foundation design before a wall goes up. Site plan, floor plans, and elevations come next, worked through with you until the layout fits how your household actually runs. Structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents are prepared alongside those drawings so the plan set arrives at the City of Glendale Building and Safety Division complete and ready for review.
If the property sits within a designated historic district, alterations or demolition require approval through the Community Development Department or the Historic Preservation Commission before permits issue, and we account for that process from the start. While plans are in review we answer any comments, line up utility coordination, and schedule the asbestos survey and air district notification that precede demolition. Once permits are in hand, the build runs in sequence: foundation, framing, rough plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fire sprinkler, insulation, and finishes. One project manager carries it through every inspection to final.
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Getting a permit for new construction in Glendale means working through several city departments, not just one counter. The City of Glendale Building and Safety Division handles structural and energy plan check, but planning reviews the design first for setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, and floor area ratio. The fire department checks sprinkler systems and site access, and public works covers grading, drainage, and any new driveway approach at the street. If the lot currently has a structure on it, demolition requires its own separate permit, and most building departments want gas and electric service disconnected and the sewer lateral capped before that permit is issued. The regional air district, South Coast AQMD for most of this area, requires an asbestos survey and advance notification before demolition can begin.
Glendale’s housing stock reflects distinct building eras, from 1920s and 1930s period revival houses on hillside streets in areas like Rossmoyne and Verdugo Woodlands to postwar single-family homes to 1980s condominiums that replaced earlier residences. If the address falls within a designated historic property, there is an additional layer of review. The city’s Historic District Overlay Zone ordinance covers alterations, repairs, and demolitions on those properties, and approval from the Community Development Department or the Historic Preservation Commission is required before work can proceed. That review runs on its own timeline and should be confirmed early in the planning process, well before construction documents are completed.
Once permits are in motion, the technical groundwork drives the design. A geotechnical report is prepared before foundation design begins. It identifies expansive clay, old fill, groundwater, and slope stability concerns. 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 detail the shear walls, hold-downs, and beams that California’s seismic requirements call for. On sloped lots, the same report informs retaining wall design and the grading plan, and the soils engineer typically signs off on footing excavations before concrete is placed.
Energy compliance follows the 2025 Title 24 standards for permits filed on or after January 1, 2026, and new single-family homes must include solar photovoltaic systems. Some measures require field verification by a third-party HERS rater. Where the lot sits in a CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone, wildland-urban interface construction standards apply, including a Class A roof, ember-resistant vents, ignition-resistant exterior materials, and multipane windows with tempered glass. Utility sizing is based on the new house, not the old one, so required fire sprinklers may mean a larger water meter, and a bigger electrical load may require a new service from the utility, which carries its own lead time. Inspections follow each construction phase from foundation forms and reinforcing steel through framing, rough mechanical and electrical, insulation, and the final walkthrough.
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 Glendale
Horizon Construction & Remodeling Inc. has held a California Class B General Building license since 2009, and we carry a contractor’s bond so you have a clear way to verify our standing before any contract is signed. New construction is the largest undertaking a residential contractor handles, and we treat it that way from the first site visit. Our office is in Fullerton, and we work regularly with the City of Glendale Building and Safety Division, which means we understand how plan check moves locally and what reviewers typically expect to see.
Glendale’s permit process adds layers that not every contractor is prepared for. If your lot sits within a Historic District Overlay Zone, alterations or demolition work on a designated property must go through the Community Development Department or the Historic Preservation Commission before a building permit is issued. We account for that review timeline at the start of the project rather than discovering it mid-schedule.
We run design-build, so engineering coordination, permit drawings, and construction stay under one contract with one project manager. Code requirements like Title 24 energy compliance and CALGreen standards are built into the early drawings, not added later. Call (714) 449-9035 to discuss what your Glendale lot can support.
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New Construction FAQ
Should I rebuild or remodel my house in Glendale?
Whether a rebuild makes sense depends on the house and the lot, and in Glendale that calculation varies widely from block to block. A property in Rossmoyne or Verdugo Woodlands might sit on a sound 1920s foundation that supports a full remodel, while a postwar house elsewhere on the same street could need every system replaced, most walls moved, and a second story the original frame was never built to carry. When the scope reaches that level, new construction often becomes the cleaner path. If the structure is solid and you mainly want a new layout and updated finishes, a whole-home remodel is typically simpler to permit through the City of Glendale Building and Safety Division. We walk the property with you and give a straight comparison of both options before you commit to anything.
What permits does a new home need?
Demolishing what stands and building new in Glendale typically calls for a demolition permit, a building permit, and grading, utility, and driveway permits through public works. Plans go to the City of Glendale Building and Safety Division, where planning, fire, and public works each sign off as well. On a designated historic property, the Community Development Department or the Historic Preservation Commission must approve the work before anything else moves forward. We prepare every submittal and manage comments and resubmittals on your behalf.
How long does it take to build a new home?
Plan check alone commonly runs several months, and that timeline stretches further when planning review, hillside conditions, or fire-zone requirements are added. Design and permitting together can take as long as construction itself. Building a custom home typically runs around a year, more for larger homes, sloped lots, or sites that need heavy grading. In Glendale, properties within a Historic District Overlay Zone require approval before work begins, which can add steps to the process. Weather, utility scheduling, and inspection availability all affect the final pace, so we provide a project-specific schedule after the feasibility review.
What drives the cost of building a new home?
Budget for new construction in Glendale breaks down into categories that reflect your specific choices, and the biggest drivers are size and complexity. Second stories, long spans, and a high corner count all push costs up. Foundation type follows soils and slope conditions, and site work varies lot to lot because demolition, grading, retaining walls, and utility upgrades are never identical. If your property falls within Glendale’s Historic District Overlay Zone, alterations or demolition require approval before work begins. Fire-zone requirements, finish level, city impact fees, and school fees on new square footage add further layers. We walk through each category with you after the feasibility review so you can see exactly where your decisions land.
Do new homes in California need solar and fire sprinklers?
Yes, new one- and two-family homes in California require automatic fire sprinklers under the California Residential Code, which affects both water service sizing and how ceilings are laid out. Solar PV has been mandatory for new single-family homes since the 2019 energy standards, and the 2025 Title 24 cycle adds further requirements for permits filed from January 1, 2026. CALGreen layers on top of that with rules covering water use, construction waste recycling, indoor air quality, and EV charging readiness. In Glendale, where new construction permits run through the Building and Safety Division, we account for all of it from the first day of design.
Can you build an ADU along with the new house?
Yes, a new construction project is the easiest point at which to include an ADU, because water, sewer, and electrical service can be sized for both units in a single scope of work. The site plan can give each unit a private entry and outdoor space from the start. State law allows ADUs on most single-family lots in Glendale, though setbacks, height, and parking rules still apply, and any work on a designated historic property must be reviewed by the Community Development Department or the Historic Preservation Commission. We can permit the ADU alongside the main house or as a separate project, and we build guest houses as well.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Glendale and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.