New Construction in Ontario
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. Ontario’s housing stock reflects more than a century of layering, from the Chaffey-era grid platted after the city’s 1881 founding and 1891 incorporation, through postwar tracts, to the two-story homes in Ontario Ranch that have gone up since the New Model Colony was annexed in 1999. We handle new construction in Ontario from the first lot review through design, engineering, permits with the City of Ontario Building Department, demolition, and the final inspection, all under one contract.
Services We Offer
Engineering & Title 24
Permits & Plan Check
New Build ADUs
Our New Construction Process in Ontario
How We Build New Construction in Ontario from the Ground Up
Every new construction in Ontario starts with the site, not the floor plan. A zoning review, boundary and topographic survey, and soils report tell us what the lot can support and what the foundation will require. From there, design takes shape through site plans, floor plans, and elevations developed alongside you until the layout fits the way your household actually lives. Structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents are prepared with the drawings so the complete plan set enters the City of Ontario Building Department ready for review. If the property sits in a historic neighborhood or carries a landmark designation, exterior work may require a Certificate of Appropriateness before permits can issue, and we factor that process into scheduling from the start.
While plans are in review, we address comments, coordinate utility work, and arrange any required asbestos survey and air district notification ahead of demolition. Once permits issue, the build runs in sequence: foundation, framing, rough plumbing, electrical, mechanical and fire sprinkler lines, insulation, then exterior and interior finishes. One project manager carries the job from start to finish and is present for every inspection through final sign-off.
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Pulling a building permit in Ontario means working through several city departments at once. The City of Ontario Building Department handles plan check for structural and energy documents, but the file also moves through planning for zoning review, the fire department for sprinkler design and site access, and public works for grading, drainage, and any work that touches the street. If the site involves demolition first, that work requires its own separate permit, and most building departments want gas and electric service disconnected and the sewer lateral capped before that permit issues. The South Coast AQMD also requires an asbestos survey and advance notification before most demolitions can begin.
One factor that matters specifically in Ontario is the city’s standing as a Certified Local Government. Ontario has its own historic preservation ordinance and commission, which means exterior work on designated landmarks or within recognized historic neighborhoods can require a Certificate of Appropriateness before building plan check even begins. This is worth considering if the site sits along the Chaffey-era grid on the north side of the city, where older bungalows in the original 1881 street network may fall within areas the commission reviews. Starting a new construction project without confirming historic review status first can add time to an already layered approval process.
Before a foundation design can be finalized, a geotechnical report has to characterize the soil. The report identifies expansive clay, old fill, groundwater depth, and slope stability issues, and in state-mapped liquefaction or landslide zones a site-specific investigation is required by California law. The structural engineer draws on that report to size footings or design a post-tensioned slab, then lays out the shear walls, hold-downs, and beams the building needs to meet seismic requirements. Retaining walls and grading plans on sloped lots follow the same report, and the soils engineer typically signs off on footing excavations before any concrete is poured.
Utility sizing is based on the new house, not the structure being replaced. Required fire sprinklers often call for a larger water meter and service line. A larger home with solar and modern electrical loads may need a new service from the utility, which carries its own lead time outside anyone’s control. 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. Inspections run in sequence through the entire build, covering foundation forms and steel, framing, rough-ins, insulation, and 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 Ontario
Horizon Construction and Remodeling has been a licensed and bonded Class B general building contractor since 2009, and new home construction is the most complex work we take on. Ontario’s housing stock tells the whole story of how the city grew, from the Chaffey-era grid streets on the north side through postwar bungalows to the two-story tract homes that filled Ontario Ranch after the New Model Colony was annexed in 1999. Understanding that range matters when we start talking about what a new build on your lot needs to accomplish.
We work design-build, meaning design, engineering coordination, permitting, and construction all sit under one contract with one project manager. Permits for new construction go through the City of Ontario Building Department, and if your lot sits near a designated landmark or within a historic neighborhood, exterior work may also require a Certificate of Appropriateness under Ontario’s historic preservation ordinance. We account for those review layers at the start, not after plan check.
California Title 24 energy requirements, CALGreen standards, and fire sprinkler provisions are built into the design from the first set of drawings, so they do not arrive late as change orders. Call (714) 449-9035 to talk through what your Ontario lot can support.
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New Construction FAQ
Should I rebuild or remodel my house in Ontario?
Whether a full rebuild or a 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 issues, when nearly every system needs replacing and most walls are moving anyway, when the existing structure cannot carry a second story, or when zoning permits a larger or better-positioned footprint. In older north-side neighborhoods built on the original Chaffey-era grid, that calculation comes up often, since those bungalows sometimes have foundations and framing that simply cannot support what a family needs today. If the bones are solid and the goal is mainly a new layout and updated finishes, a whole-home remodel is usually the more straightforward path to permitting through the City of Ontario Building Department. We walk the property with you and give you a clear comparison of both directions before you make any commitment.
What permits does a new home need?
Plans for new construction in Ontario go through the City of Ontario Building Department, where planning, fire, and public works departments typically sign off as well. You can expect a demolition permit for the existing structure, a building permit for the new home, and usually separate grading, utility, and driveway permits through public works. Properties in a fire hazard severity zone receive additional fire-code review. We prepare all submittals and manage comments and resubmittals through every round.
How long does it take to build a new home?
Timelines for new construction in Ontario vary by project, but expect design and permitting alone to take as long as the build itself. Plan check through the City of Ontario Building Department commonly runs several months, and projects touching designated landmarks or historic neighborhoods may also require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the city’s preservation commission, which adds time. Construction of a custom home often runs close to a year, longer for larger footprints or sites needing heavy grading. Weather, utility scheduling, and inspection availability all shift the calendar, so we work out a realistic schedule for your specific lot after the feasibility review.
What drives the cost of building a new home?
What drives the cost of new construction in Ontario is a combination of factors that vary significantly from one lot to the next. Complexity plays the largest role: second stories, long structural spans, and buildings with many corners all require more material and labor than a simple rectangular footprint. Foundation design depends on soil conditions and how much grading, demolition, or retaining wall work the site needs before framing can begin. Utility upgrades add another variable. Finish level throughout the structure affects the budget considerably, and the City of Ontario Building Department also collects impact fees and school fees tied to new square footage, which shift depending on the district. If the project sits within a designated historic area along the Euclid Avenue corridor or Downtown Ontario, exterior work may require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the city’s historic preservation commission before permits move forward. Once we complete a feasibility review, 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 single-family homes in Ontario must meet several stacked code requirements, and we design to all of them from the start. The California Residential Code requires automatic fire sprinklers, which affects both water service sizing and how ceilings are laid out. Solar PV has been mandatory under Title 24 since the 2019 energy standards, with the 2025 update applying to permits filed from January 1, 2026. CALGreen adds water efficiency, construction waste recycling, indoor air quality, and EV charging readiness to that list.
Can you build an ADU along with the new house?
Building an ADU alongside new construction in Ontario is straightforward because water, sewer, and electrical service can be sized for both units during the same phase of work, and the site plan can give each unit a private entry and outdoor space from the start. State law permits ADUs on most single-family lots, though setbacks, height limits, and parking rules still apply. We can pull permits for the ADU together with the main house through the City of Ontario Building Department, or handle it 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 Ontario and the surrounding San Bernardino County communities.