New Construction in San Bernardino
A tear-down rebuild is often the cleaner path when an existing house is too small, sits on a tired foundation, or cannot support a second story without rebuilding most of it anyway. San Bernardino’s housing stock spans a remarkable range, from prewar bungalows near downtown to the postwar tract homes that went up rapidly during the Norton Air Force Base era, and many of those lots hold structures that make more sense to replace than to salvage. Horizon Construction and Remodeling manages new construction in San Bernardino from the initial lot review through design, engineering, permits with the City of San Bernardino Building and Safety Division, 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 San Bernardino
New construction in San Bernardino starts with the ground beneath your feet, not the floor plan. Because much of the city’s housing stock dates to the wartime and postwar Norton Air Force Base era, older lots often carry utility conditions or soil histories that a boundary survey and soils report will surface before a single drawing is produced. Zoning review happens at the same time, so we know exactly what the City of San Bernardino Building and Safety Division will expect before the plan set goes together. Structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents are prepared alongside the site plan, floor plans and elevations, which means plan check submissions arrive complete rather than in pieces.
While the plans are in review we answer any comments, coordinate utility work and handle the asbestos survey and air district notification required before demolition on an existing structure. Once permits issue, the sequence runs in order: foundation, framing, rough plumbing, electrical, mechanical and fire sprinkler lines, insulation, then exterior and interior finishes. One project manager oversees the work from groundbreaking through final inspection, staying on site for every scheduled check the Building and Safety Division requires.
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Permits for new construction in San Bernardino run through the City of San Bernardino Building and Safety Division. Because no unusual local overlay applies here, what governs the review process is the building code itself and the age of any existing structure on the lot. For a full new build, that review touches several departments at once. Planning checks setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, and floor area against the zoning for your parcel. Building plan check goes through the structural documents and energy calculations. The fire department reviews sprinkler systems and site access, and public works handles grading, drainage, street trenching, and the new driveway approach.
If you are clearing an older structure first, demolition carries its own permit and its own sequence of steps. Gas and electric service typically must be disconnected and the sewer lateral capped before most building departments will issue that permit. The South Coast AQMD, which covers most of this region, requires an asbestos survey and advance notification before demolition begins. Given that a large share of San Bernardino’s housing stock went up during the wartime and postwar Norton Air Force Base era, older materials on the site are a real consideration worth addressing early in the schedule.
Utilities on a new house are sized for the new structure, not whatever was there before. Required fire sprinklers often call for a larger water meter and service line. A bigger home with solar and modern electrical loads may need a new utility service drop, which adds lead time that has to be planned for. Subsurface conditions require a geotechnical report before foundation design can begin. The report identifies expansive clay, old fill, groundwater, 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, then lays out shear walls, hold-downs, and beams for California’s seismic loads. On a sloped lot, the same report drives the retaining wall design and grading plan, and the soils engineer typically signs off on footing excavations before concrete is placed.
Energy compliance follows the 2025 Title 24 standards, which apply to permits filed on or after January 1, 2026. New single-family homes must include solar PV, and some measures require field verification by a third-party HERS rater. If the lot falls within a CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone, wildland-urban interface standards apply: 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 reinforcing 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 San Bernardino
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 standing directly with the CSLB before signing anything, which is exactly what we encourage you to do on a project this size.
New construction in San Bernardino moves through the City of San Bernardino Building and Safety Division, and what governs your project is the current building code alongside the specific conditions of your lot and any existing structures on it. Because no unusual local overlay applies here, the path from permit application to final inspection is straightforward when the drawings are prepared correctly from the start. We work design-build, meaning design, engineering coordination, permit submittals, and construction all sit under one contract with one project manager. The team that prepares the drawings is the same team responding to plan check comments and building the structure, so nothing gets lost between stages.
Requirements like CALGreen compliance and fire sprinkler provisions go into the design at the first sketch rather than arriving later as change orders. Cost and schedule vary by scope. Call (714) 449-9035 to discuss your San Bernardino lot and what it can hold.
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New Construction FAQ
Should I rebuild or remodel my house in San Bernardino?
Whether a rebuild makes more sense than a remodel depends on the condition of the house and what the lot allows. If the foundation has serious problems, if nearly every system needs replacing and most walls would move anyway, or if you want a second story the existing structure cannot carry, new construction is often the better path. San Bernardino’s older single-story stock, particularly the postwar tract homes in areas like Del Rosa or Verdemont, frequently falls into that category. When the structure is sound and the goal is a new layout and finishes, a whole-home remodel is usually simpler to permit through the City of San Bernardino Building and Safety Division. We walk the property with you and give a straight comparison before you commit to either direction.
What permits does a new home need?
New construction in San Bernardino typically requires a demolition permit for the existing structure, a building permit for the replacement home, and grading, utility, and driveway permits through public works. Plans go to the City of San Bernardino Building and Safety Division, where planning, fire, and public works all sign off. Because no unusual local overlay applies here, the building code and the age of the lot govern the review. We prepare the submittals and manage every round of comments and resubmittals.
How long does it take to build a new home?
New construction timelines in San Bernardino vary widely depending on your lot, your design, and how smoothly permitting moves through the City of San Bernardino Building and Safety Division. Design and plan check alone can run several months before a shovel goes in the ground, and the construction phase of a custom home often takes around a year, longer on sloped lots or sites that need heavy prep work. Weather, utility scheduling, and inspection availability all play a role, so we work out a realistic schedule for your specific property after the feasibility review.
What drives the cost of building a new home?
What drives cost on a new construction project in San Bernardino is a combination of size, structural complexity, site conditions, and finish level. A two-story layout, long roof spans, or an irregular footprint all add to the frame budget. Foundation design depends on soil type and slope, and lot-specific site work like grading, demolition, retaining walls, and utility connections can shift costs considerably. City impact fees and school district fees apply to new square footage, and the age of the lot’s existing infrastructure, common across San Bernardino’s long development history from prewar downtown parcels to postwar Norton-era tracts, often shapes what utility upgrades are necessary. Permits route through the City of San Bernardino Building and Safety Division, and because no unusual local overlay applies here, the governing factors are the California building code and whatever the existing conditions on your specific site require. Once we complete a feasibility review, we break the budget into these categories so you can see exactly where your decisions have the most impact.
Do new homes in California need solar and fire sprinklers?
Yes, new single-family homes in San Bernardino are subject to California Residential Code requirements for automatic fire sprinklers, which affects both water service sizing and how ceiling layouts are planned. Solar PV has been required on new single-family construction since the 2019 Title 24 energy standards, and updates taking effect January 1, 2026 build on that baseline. CALGreen adds water efficiency, construction waste recycling, indoor air quality, and EV charging readiness requirements. We work all of it into the design from day one.
Can you build an ADU along with the new house?
Yes, an ADU is straightforward to include with new construction in San Bernardino. Sizing water, sewer, and electrical service for both units at the same time is far more efficient than retrofitting later, and the site plan can be arranged from the start to give each unit a separate entry and private outdoor space. State law permits ADUs on most single-family lots, though setbacks, height limits, and parking rules still apply. The ADU can be permitted alongside the main house or handled 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 San Bernardino and the surrounding San Bernardino County communities.