New Construction in Pomona
Most new construction projects in Pomona begin with a lot that already carries an existing structure. The city’s housing stock spans a remarkably wide range, from older wood-framed homes with small closed kitchens near downtown to the larger two-story tract homes that fill the Phillips Ranch hillside subdivisions south of downtown, a range that reflects more than a century of growth since Pomona’s 1888 incorporation. An older or undersized house may be worth remodeling, but when the foundation is tired, the footprint is too small, or adding a second story would require rebuilding most of the structure anyway, a tear-down and rebuild is often the cleaner path. Horizon Construction and Remodeling manages new construction in Pomona from the initial lot review through design, engineering, permits with the City of Pomona Building Safety Division, 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 Pomona
How We Approach New Construction in Pomona
New construction in Pomona starts well before anything gets built, because the age and location of a property shape almost every early decision. Homes near downtown sit on older parcels that often carry outdated utility connections and soil conditions worth examining closely, while hillside lots in areas like Phillips Ranch come with grading and drainage questions that need answers before a foundation can be designed. We open with a zoning review, a boundary and topographic survey, and a soils report, then move into site plans, floor plans, and elevations developed alongside structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents so the plan set goes into the City of Pomona Building Safety Division complete and ready for review.
While the plans are in review we respond to any comments, coordinate utility work, and handle the asbestos survey and air district notification required before demolition. Once permits issue, the old structure comes down and the build runs in sequence: foundation, framing, rough plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fire sprinkler lines, insulation, then exterior and interior finishes. One project manager carries the job from that first site visit through every inspection to the final sign-off.
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Permits, Engineering, and Code Requirements for New Construction in Pomona
Getting permits through the City of Pomona Building Safety Division, part of the Development Services Department, involves multiple review desks on a new home. Planning checks setbacks, height, lot coverage, and floor area against zoning. Building plan check reviews structural and energy documents. The fire department looks at sprinklers and site access, and public works addresses grading, drainage, street trenching, and the new driveway approach. Because no unusual local overlay applies here, the building code and the age and condition of the existing lot are what drive requirements. Demolition carries its own separate permit, and before that permit issues, most departments require the gas and electric service to be disconnected and the sewer lateral capped. The South Coast AQMD also requires an asbestos survey and advance notification before demolition work begins.
Pomona’s housing stock spans well over a century, from wood-framed houses near downtown that date to the late 1800s and early 1900s, to the larger two-story tract homes that have been built across the Phillips Ranch hillside subdivisions since the 1980s. That range matters for utilities. A new house gets sized from scratch, not carried over from whatever was there before. Fire sprinkler requirements often push the need for a larger water meter and service line. A bigger modern home with solar and today’s electrical loads may also require a new utility service, which adds lead time to the schedule that has to be planned for early.
A geotechnical report comes before foundation design on every new build. It identifies expansive clay, old fill, groundwater depth, and slope stability. In state-mapped liquefaction or landslide zones, a site-specific investigation is required. The structural engineer uses those findings to size footings or design a post-tensioned slab or grade beams, then lays out the shear walls, hold-downs, and beams that California’s seismic requirements call for. On a sloped lot, the same report also drives the retaining wall design and grading plan, and the soils engineer typically must approve footing excavations before any concrete is placed.
Energy compliance follows 2025 Title 24 standards for permits filed on or after January 1, 2026, and new single-family homes must include solar PV. Some measures also require field verification by a third-party HERS rater. If the lot sits within a CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone, construction must meet wildland-urban interface standards: a Class A roof, ember-resistant vents, ignition-resistant exterior materials, and multipane windows with tempered glass. Inspections follow each stage of the build, from foundation forms and steel 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 Pomona
Why Pomona Homeowners Choose Horizon for New Construction
Horizon Construction and Remodeling Inc. has been building in Southern California since 2009, and we operate as a licensed and bonded Class B general building contractor. That classification covers the full scope of a new home: structural framing, coordinated trades, and every phase from foundation to final inspection. Because Pomona’s housing ranges from older wood-framed properties near downtown to larger two-story tract homes in the Phillips Ranch hillside subdivisions, the age of the existing lot improvements and the applicable building code are what shape the project, and we account for both from the start.
We work design-build, meaning design, engineering coordination, permit submittals to the City of Pomona Building Safety Division, and construction all run under one contract with one project manager. The same team that produces the drawings is the team responding to plan check comments and supervising the build. CALGreen compliance, Title 24 energy requirements, and fire sprinkler provisions enter the design in the earliest planning stage rather than appearing later as additions to the budget.
Specialty trade portions, including electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work, are performed by appropriately licensed subcontractors we coordinate directly. Call (714) 449-9035 to discuss your lot and what it can support.
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New Construction FAQ
Should I rebuild or remodel my house in Pomona?
Whether a rebuild or a remodel makes more sense depends on the condition of the house and what you want the finished result to be. If the foundation has serious problems, if you are replacing nearly every system and moving most walls anyway, or if zoning allows a larger footprint than the existing structure occupies, a new build is often the right call. In Pomona, where housing ranges from older wood-framed houses near downtown to two-story tract homes in Phillips Ranch, the age of the house and the building code are the main factors that govern the decision. When the structure is sound and the goal is a new layout with updated finishes, a whole home remodel is typically simpler to permit through the City of Pomona Building Safety Division. We walk the property with you and give you a straight comparison before you commit to either path.
What permits does a new home need?
Replacing a home in Pomona typically requires a demolition permit for the structure coming down, a building permit for the new construction, and grading, utility, and driveway permits coordinated through public works. The City of Pomona Building Safety Division, part of the Development Services Department, reviews the plans, with planning, fire, and public works also signing off. Because no unusual local overlay applies here, the building code and the age of the existing house are what primarily govern the scope of review. We prepare all submittals and manage comments and resubmittals through each round.
How long does it take to build a new home?
Building a new home in Pomona takes longer than most people expect, because design and permitting alone can run as long as the construction phase itself. Plan check through the City of Pomona Building Safety Division commonly takes several months, and construction of a custom home often runs close to a year, sometimes more on sloped lots or sites that need heavy grading work. Weather, utility scheduling, and inspection availability all factor in, so we give you a realistic timeline 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 Pomona is size, complexity, and what the site itself demands. A second story, long spans, or an irregular footprint all add to the structural budget, and foundation decisions depend on soil conditions and slope, which can differ significantly between a flat lot near downtown and a hillside parcel in Phillips Ranch. Site work, including demolition, grading, retaining walls, and utility upgrades, varies from lot to lot. City impact fees and school fees on new square footage are set by the City of Pomona and the applicable district. During our feasibility review we break the budget into these categories so you can see clearly where your choices land.
Do new homes in California need solar and fire sprinklers?
Yes, new construction in Pomona is subject to California’s full set of baseline 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 update raises the bar further for 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 starting from the ground up is the best time to plan for an ADU. Sizing water, sewer, and electrical service to cover both units at once is far simpler than retrofitting later, and the site plan can give each unit a private entry and outdoor area from the start. State law allows ADUs on most single-family lots, though setbacks, height, and parking rules still apply and are reviewed by the City of Pomona Building Safety Division. 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 Pomona and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.