New Construction in Long Beach
New construction in Long Beach most often starts with a lot that already has a structure on it. The city grew in distinct waves, from the 1897 incorporation and the 1920s oil boom through dense postwar tract development in the 1940s and 1950s, so the housing stock ranges widely by district, from compact 1920s bungalows in neighborhoods like California Heights to postwar homes across the northern parts of the city. When an existing house is too small, sits on a compromised foundation, or cannot support a second story without rebuilding most of it regardless, a tear-down rebuild is usually the cleaner path. Horizon Construction and Remodeling manages new construction in Long Beach from the initial lot review through design, engineering, permitting, 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 Long Beach
How New Construction in Long Beach Actually Gets Built
New construction in Long Beach starts with the lot, not the floor plan. We open with a zoning review, a boundary and topographic survey, and a soils report so we understand what the site can carry and what the foundation will require. From there, design takes shape through site plans, floor plans, and elevations worked out with you directly. Structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents are prepared alongside the drawings, so the plan set enters the City of Long Beach Community Development Department Building and Safety Bureau ready for review, not partway there.
While plans are in review we handle comment responses, utility coordination, and the asbestos survey and air district notification required before any demolition. Properties within the coastal zone also need a local coastal development permit or a categorical exclusion, and some parcels remain appealable to the California Coastal Commission, so we account for that early. Once permits issue, the sequence runs foundation, framing, rough trades, insulation, and finishes, with one project manager on site for every inspection through final.
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Building a new home in Long Beach moves through several overlapping review tracks before a permit is issued. The City of Long Beach Community Development Department Building and Safety Bureau handles the building permit itself, but planning staff check the design against zoning requirements first, confirming that setbacks, height, lot coverage, and floor area all comply with what the zone allows. The fire department reviews sprinkler systems and site access, and public works covers grading, drainage, any street trenching, and the new driveway approach. Each of those reviews can run on a parallel track, but all of them have to close before the permit issues.
If the property sits inside the coastal zone, an additional layer applies. Coastal zone parcels need either a local coastal development permit or a categorical exclusion from the city, and some mapped areas remain appealable to the California Coastal Commission after the city acts. This matters especially for projects near Belmont Shore or Naples, where the coastal zone boundary runs close to or through established neighborhoods. Timing for these approvals is separate from the building permit schedule, so we account for it early in the project timeline rather than treating it as an afterthought.
When an existing structure is coming down first, demolition requires its own permit. Before that permit issues, most building departments require the gas and electric services to be disconnected and the sewer lateral capped. The South Coast AQMD requires an asbestos survey before demolition begins, along with advance notification for most projects. Once the site is clear, utilities are sized for the new house rather than the old one. Fire sprinkler requirements often call for a larger water meter and service line, and a house with modern electrical loads and solar may need a new utility service, which carries its own lead time with the utility company.
A geotechnical report comes before foundation design. It identifies expansive clay, old fill, groundwater, and slope conditions, and in state-mapped liquefaction zones a site-specific investigation is required. The structural engineer uses the report to size footings or design post-tensioned slabs and grade beams, and lays out shear walls, hold-downs, and beams to meet California seismic requirements. Energy compliance follows Title 24 standards, and new single-family homes must include solar PV. If the lot falls within a designated Fire Hazard Severity Zone, the house is built to wildland-urban interface standards, including a Class A roof, ember-resistant vents, ignition-resistant exterior materials, and multipane tempered windows. Inspections run from foundation forms and steel through framing, rough-ins, and insulation to 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 Long Beach
Horizon Construction and Remodeling has held an active Class B general building contractor license since 2009, and we are licensed and bonded. You can verify our license and bond directly on the CSLB website before you commit to anything, which is exactly what we would encourage any homeowner to do.
New construction in Long Beach means working through the City of Long Beach Community Development Department Building and Safety Bureau, and if your lot sits inside the coastal zone, the process adds a local coastal development permit or a categorical exclusion before a shovel goes in the ground. Some mapped parcels remain appealable to the California Coastal Commission, so understanding your property’s status early matters. We coordinate design, engineering, permitting and construction under a single contract, which means the same team handling plan check comments is the team that drafted the drawings.
Long Beach lots range from tight infill parcels in neighborhoods like Bixby Knolls and California Heights to larger footprints further north where postwar tract development left more room to work. Code requirements including CALGreen, Title 24 energy standards and fire sprinklers are folded into the design from the start rather than surfacing later. Call (714) 449-9035 to talk through what your lot can support.
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New Construction FAQ
Should I rebuild or remodel my house in Long Beach?
Whether a rebuild or a whole-home remodel makes more sense depends on the condition of the house and what the lot allows. A new build tends to be the right call when the foundation has serious problems, when nearly every system needs replacing and most walls would move anyway, when you need a second story the existing frame cannot carry, or when zoning permits a larger or better-positioned structure. Long Beach homes range from 1920s bungalows in neighborhoods like California Heights to postwar tract houses in the north end, and the structural realities of those two eras are very different. If the frame is sound and the project is mostly about layout and finishes, a whole-home remodel is generally the simpler path through the City of Long Beach permitting process. We walk the property with you and give a straight comparison before you commit.
What permits does a new home need?
Building new in Long Beach typically requires a demolition permit for the structure coming down, plus a building permit, and often grading, utility, and driveway permits coordinated through public works. The City of Long Beach Community Development Department Building and Safety Bureau reviews the plans, with planning, fire, and public works each signing off. Lots inside the coastal zone may also need a coastal development permit, and properties in a fire hazard severity zone face additional fire-code review. We prepare all submittals and manage the comments and resubmittals.
How long does it take to build a new home?
Timelines for new construction in Long Beach vary significantly by project, and design and permitting can take just as long as the build itself. Plan check commonly runs several months, and that extends further when planning review, a coastal development permit, or a categorical exclusion review through the City of Long Beach Community Development Department Building and Safety Bureau is part of the process. Construction of a custom home often runs around a year, with larger homes, sloped lots, or heavy site work pushing that longer. Weather, utility scheduling, and inspection availability all play a role, so we work out a realistic schedule for your specific lot after the feasibility review.
What drives the cost of building a new home?
Budget for new construction in Long Beach depends on several overlapping factors. Size and complexity drive costs first, particularly if the design includes a second story, long spans, or an irregular footprint. Foundation requirements shift with soil conditions and slope, and site work such as demolition, grading, retaining walls, and utility upgrades can differ significantly from one lot to the next. Properties inside the coastal zone may also require a local coastal development permit, which adds both time and cost. Finish level, city impact fees, and school fees on new square footage vary by district. Once we assess feasibility, we organize the budget into these categories so you can see clearly where your decisions carry the most weight.
Do new homes in California need solar and fire sprinklers?
Yes, new one- and two-family homes in California are required to include automatic fire sprinklers under the California Residential Code, which affects both your water service size and how ceilings are laid out. Solar PV has been mandatory on new single-family homes since the 2019 energy standards, and the 2025 Title 24 update raises the bar further for permits filed on or after January 1, 2026. CALGreen layers on additional requirements covering water efficiency, construction waste recycling, indoor air quality, and EV charging readiness. For properties near the Long Beach coastline, a local coastal development permit may also apply. We account for all of it from day one of design.
Can you build an ADU along with the new house?
Yes, building a new home in Long Beach is the right time to add an ADU. Sizing the water, sewer, and electrical service for two units from the start costs less than retrofitting later, and the site plan can give each unit a separate entry and outdoor space. State law allows ADUs on most single-family lots, though setbacks, height, and parking rules still apply. 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 Long Beach and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.