New Construction in Palm Springs
Most new construction in Palm Springs begins with a lot that already carries an existing house. The city was built heavily between the late 1940s and the mid 1960s, and the Alexander Construction Company alone added roughly 2,200 homes during that period, nearly doubling the housing stock. Those post and beam houses with low slope roofs, deep overhangs and floor to ceiling glass have real character, but when a home sits on a tired foundation, runs too small or cannot support a second story without rebuilding most of the structure anyway, a tear-down rebuild is often the cleaner path. Horizon Construction and Remodeling manages new construction in Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs
New construction in Palm Springs starts not with a floor plan but with the lot itself. A zoning review, a boundary and topographic survey, and a soils report establish what can be built and what the foundation will require before a single line gets drawn. From there, design takes shape through site plans, floor plans, and elevations refined with you 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 the City of Palm Springs Building Safety Department’s plan check complete and ready for review.
While plans are under review, we respond to any comments, coordinate utility work, and arrange the asbestos survey and air district notification required before demolition can begin. Once permits issue, the old structure comes down and the build moves in sequence: foundation, framing, rough plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fire sprinkler lines, insulation, and then exterior and interior finishes. One project manager carries the job from groundbreaking through every inspection to the final sign-off.
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Permits, Plans, and Local Requirements for New Construction in Palm Springs
All permit applications for new construction in Palm Springs run through the City of Palm Springs Building Safety Department, and the review process typically touches more than one department. Planning checks setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, and floor area against current zoning. Building plan check reviews the structural drawings and energy compliance documents. The fire department evaluates sprinkler systems and site access, while public works covers grading, drainage, street trenching, and any new driveway approach. If an existing structure has to come down first, demolition carries its own permit, and most building departments require the gas and electric services disconnected and the sewer lateral capped before that permit is issued. The South Coast AQMD requires an asbestos survey and advance notification before most demolitions proceed.
Palm Springs built the bulk of its housing stock between the late 1940s and the mid 1960s, and a significant share of those homes now carry historic designations. Properties classified as Class 1 or Class 2 historic resources require a Certificate of Appropriateness before any exterior alteration or demolition can begin, with that decision resting with the Historic Site Preservation Board or the Historic Preservation Officer. Interior-only work is exempt from that review. In neighborhoods like Racquet Club Estates, Twin Palms, Vista Las Palmas, and Deepwell Estates, confirming a property’s historic classification early keeps the schedule from stalling at an unexpected approval step. Utilities for the new structure also get sized fresh, not carried over from whatever stood before. Required fire sprinklers often call for a larger water meter, and a house with modern electrical loads and a solar array may need a new service from the utility, which adds lead time on its own.
A geotechnical report is ordered before the foundation is designed. It identifies expansive clay, old fill, groundwater depth, 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 or specify a post-tensioned slab or grade beams, then designs the shear walls, hold-downs, and beams that California’s seismic requirements demand. On sloped lots, the same report drives both the retaining wall design and the grading plan, and the soils engineer typically signs off on footing excavations before any concrete is placed.
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 property falls within a CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone, wildland-urban interface standards apply, covering the roof class, ember-resistant vents, ignition-resistant exterior materials, and multipane tempered windows. Inspections follow every major stage, from foundation forms and reinforcing steel through framing, rough mechanical and electrical, insulation, and ultimately the final sign-off that clears the project for occupancy.
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 Palm Springs
Why Palm Springs Homeowners Build With Horizon
Horizon Construction and Remodeling is a licensed Class B general building contractor, bonded, and in business since 2009. You can verify our license and bond directly on the CSLB website before you commit to anything, and we encourage you to do exactly that.
We work design-build, meaning design, engineering coordination, permitting, and construction all sit under one contract with one project manager. That matters in Palm Springs, where permits move through the City of Palm Springs Building Safety Department and where properties carrying a Class 1 or Class 2 historic resource designation require a Certificate of Appropriateness before any exterior alteration or demolition can begin. Having one team handle plan check responses and coordinate with the Historic Site Preservation Board keeps the process from stalling at critical points.
California’s Title 24 energy requirements, CALGreen standards, and fire sprinkler rules enter the design at the first sketch rather than arriving later as change orders. If your lot sits in one of the established neighborhoods built out during the mid-century era, we look carefully at what the site can hold and what the review process will require. Call (714) 449-9035 to talk through your lot and get a free estimate.
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New Construction FAQ
Should I rebuild or remodel my house in Palm Springs?
Whether a rebuild or a whole home remodel makes more sense depends on the condition of the house and what your lot allows. In Palm Springs, where so much of the housing stock dates to the late 1940s through the mid 1960s, the answer often comes down to how much is actually worth keeping. A 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 would allow a larger or better-positioned house on the lot. If the structure is sound and the goal is mainly a new layout and updated finishes, a whole home remodel is usually simpler to permit through the City of Palm Springs Building Safety Department. We walk the property with you and give a straight comparison before you commit to either path.
What permits does a new home need?
New construction in Palm Springs moves through several permit types at once: the City of Palm Springs Building Safety Department reviews your building plans alongside planning, fire, and public works, while separate permits typically cover demolition of the existing structure, grading, utilities, and driveway work. Before any exterior work or demolition touches a property classified as a Class 1 or Class 2 historic resource, a Certificate of Appropriateness must be approved by the Historic Site Preservation Board or Historic Preservation Officer. We prepare the submittals and manage every round of comments and resubmittals on your behalf.
How long does it take to build a new home?
New construction timelines in Palm Springs vary more than most homeowners expect. Design and permitting alone can take as long as the build itself, with plan check through the City of Palm Springs Building Safety Department commonly running several months, and longer when planning review or fire-zone considerations are involved. Building a custom home often takes around a year, and more when the lot has grade changes or requires heavy site work. Weather, utility scheduling, and inspection availability all shift the calendar, so we give you a realistic schedule tied to your specific lot after the feasibility review.
What drives the cost of building a new home?
New construction costs in Palm Springs depend on several overlapping factors, and the biggest driver is usually the scope of the structure itself. Second stories, long spans, and irregular footprints all add to the labor and material budget before a single finish decision is made. Foundation design follows soil conditions and lot slope, and those vary considerably across neighborhoods like Racquet Club Estates, Twin Palmas, and Deepwell Estates, where site work covering demolition, grading, retaining walls, and utility upgrades can shift costs significantly from one parcel to the next. If your property carries a Class 1 or Class 2 historic designation, the City of Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board or the Historic Preservation Officer must issue a Certificate of Appropriateness before any exterior work or demolition proceeds, which is a step we account for early in planning. Wildfire-zone material requirements can add cost as well, and so can a higher finish level carried throughout the home. City impact fees and school fees tied to 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 clearly where your decisions carry the most weight.
Do new homes in California need solar and fire sprinklers?
Yes, new single-family homes in Palm Springs must include automatic fire sprinklers under the California Residential Code, which affects both water service sizing and how ceiling layouts are planned. Solar PV has been required on new 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. We account for all of it at the design stage.
Can you build an ADU along with the new house?
Building an ADU alongside new construction is genuinely the most efficient approach, because water, sewer, and electrical service can be sized for both units during the same phase of work rather than revisited later. The site plan can position each unit with its own entry and private outdoor area from the start. California law allows ADUs on most single-family lots, though setbacks, height limits, and parking requirements still apply. In Palm Springs, where permits go through the City of Palm Springs Building Safety Department, we can file for the ADU together with the main house or handle it as a separate permit package. We also build detached guest houses where the lot and zoning allow.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Palm Springs and the surrounding Riverside County communities.