New Construction in San Dimas
A tear-down rebuild is often the cleaner path when an existing house is too small, sits on a tired foundation, or can’t support a second story without rebuilding most of it anyway. San Dimas grew out of an 1887 railroad townsite and decades of citrus farming, and the majority of its single-family tract homes on suburban foothill lots were built after the city incorporated in 1960, meaning many properties are reaching the point where starting fresh makes more sense than remodeling. Horizon Construction and Remodeling handles new construction in San Dimas from the first lot review through design, engineering, permitting with the City of San Dimas 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 Dimas
New construction in San Dimas starts well before any floor plan takes shape. Because much of the city’s residential land sits on suburban foothill tract lots developed after incorporation in 1960, a zoning review, boundary and topographic survey, and soils report are essential first steps. They tell us what the site can carry and what the foundation will need. From there, design moves through site plan, floor plans, and elevations, worked through with you until the house fits the way you actually live. Structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents are prepared alongside the drawings so the plan set enters the City of San Dimas Building and Safety Division complete and ready for review.
While plans are in review, we answer comments, line up utility coordination, and handle the asbestos survey and air district notification required before any demolition. Once permits issue, the build runs in sequence: foundation, framing, rough plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fire sprinkler lines, insulation, and then exterior and interior finishes. One project manager runs the job from start to finish and is present for every inspection through final sign-off.
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Permits, Design Review, and the Approval Process in San Dimas
All permit applications for new construction in San Dimas run through the City of San Dimas Building and Safety Division, and the path to a building permit involves several review desks working in sequence rather than all at once. Planning checks setbacks, building height, lot coverage, and floor area against the zoning code. Building plan check reviews structural drawings and energy compliance documents. The fire department evaluates sprinkler systems and site access, and public works covers grading, drainage, street trenching, and the new driveway approach. Because much of San Dimas developed as single-family suburban tracts after the city incorporated in 1960, most lots carry clear zoning parameters, but each project still moves through each desk on its own schedule.
For properties inside the city’s specific plan areas, exterior design carries additional weight. Those zones enforce Early California and Western architectural guidelines, and exterior work is subject to the design review process outlined in Chapter 18.12 of the zoning code. On a new house, that review typically adds at least one more approval step before building plan check can proceed. Homeowners replacing an older structure in areas like Via Verde or near the Bonita Avenue downtown corridor should factor design review lead time into the project schedule from the start.
If an existing structure is being removed first, demolition requires its own separate permit. Before that permit is issued, the building department typically requires the gas and electric service to be disconnected and the sewer lateral capped. The South Coast AQMD requires an asbestos survey and advance notification before most demolitions proceed. Utility sizing for the new house is based on the new building’s load, not the old one. Required fire sprinklers frequently mean 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 outside the city’s control.
A geotechnical report is prepared before foundation design begins. It identifies expansive clay, old fill, groundwater conditions, and slope stability issues, and in state-mapped liquefaction or landslide zones a site-specific investigation is required. The structural engineer uses those findings to size footings, design post-tensioned slabs or grade beams, and lay out shear walls and hold-downs for California’s seismic requirements. On sloped lots, which appear throughout San Dimas’s foothill tracts, the same report drives 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 current Title 24 standards, new single-family homes must include solar PV, and some measures require field verification by a third-party HERS rater. Where a lot falls within a CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone, wildland-urban interface standards apply: Class A roofing, ember-resistant vents, ignition-resistant exterior materials, and multipane tempered-glass windows. Inspections are staged from foundation forms and steel through framing, rough mechanical and electrical, 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 San Dimas
Horizon Construction and Remodeling has been building in Southern California since 2009 as a licensed Class B general building contractor, and we are bonded. You can verify our license and bond directly on the CSLB website before committing to anything, which we encourage every homeowner to do.
We work design-build, meaning design, engineering coordination, permits, and construction all run under one contract with one project manager. That matters in San Dimas because permits go through the City of San Dimas Building and Safety Division, and if your lot sits inside one of the city’s specific plan areas with Early California or Western architectural guidelines, exterior decisions need to clear the design review process early. Having the same team handle planning and construction means those requirements are addressed from the start rather than surfacing mid-project.
Code requirements like fire sprinklers, solar readiness, and CALGreen compliance are worked into the design at the beginning, not added later as change orders. Most of the residential tracts here are detached single-family homes on suburban foothill lots, and we are familiar with that building type. Call (714) 449-9035 to talk through what your San Dimas lot can support.
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New Construction FAQ
Should I rebuild or remodel my house in San Dimas?
The right choice depends on your specific house and lot. A full rebuild usually makes sense when the foundation has serious problems, when nearly every system needs replacing and most walls are coming down anyway, when you want a second story the existing frame cannot carry, or when zoning allows a larger or better-sited structure. San Dimas permits go through the City of San Dimas Building and Safety Division, and if your lot falls inside one of the city’s specific plan areas, exterior decisions also move through a design review process. When the structure is sound and you mainly want a new layout and updated finishes, a whole-home remodel is typically simpler to permit. 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?
Permits for new construction in San Dimas run through the City of San Dimas Building and Safety Division, and a typical project draws demolition, building, grading, utility, and driveway permits before a shovel hits the ground. Planning, fire, and public works departments each sign off as well. Because parts of San Dimas fall inside specific plan areas with Early California and Western architectural guidelines, exterior design may also move through the design review process. We prepare all submittals and manage every round of comments and resubmittals.
How long does it take to build a new home?
A realistic timeline depends heavily on your specific lot and project scope. Plan check with the City of San Dimas Building and Safety Division commonly runs several months, and that window stretches further when planning review or fire-zone considerations are part of the picture. For homes in areas subject to the city’s Early California or Western architectural guidelines, exterior design goes through an additional review process before permits move forward. Custom home construction itself often runs around a year, more for larger builds, sloped foothill lots, or sites requiring significant grading. Weather, utility scheduling, and inspection availability all factor in, so we work through a feasibility review with you before putting a specific schedule together.
What drives the cost of building a new home?
Budget for new construction in San Dimas depends on several overlapping factors, and complexity drives cost more than almost anything else. A second story, long structural spans, or a floor plan with many corners all push numbers up. Foundation design follows soil conditions and slope, which matter on the foothill tract lots common throughout the city, and site work including demolition, grading, retaining walls, and utility upgrades can shift significantly from one parcel to the next. Fire-zone requirements add cost where they apply, and finish level affects every line item. City and school district impact fees on new square footage vary and should be confirmed early. After a feasibility review we organize the budget into these categories so you can see clearly where your decisions have the most effect.
Do new homes in California need solar and fire sprinklers?
Yes, new single-family construction in San Dimas must meet California Residential Code requirements for automatic fire sprinklers, which affect water service sizing and ceiling layout, along with solar PV under the 2019 energy standards and the updated Title 24 requirements taking effect for permits filed from January 1, 2026. CALGreen adds rules covering water use, construction waste recycling, indoor air quality, and EV charging readiness. For homes in San Dimas’s Early California or Western design corridors, exterior plans also go through the city’s design review process. We account for all of it from day one.
Can you build an ADU along with the new house?
Yes, and starting from the ground up is actually the simplest time to plan for an ADU. Water, sewer, and electrical service can be sized to serve both units in a single design phase, and the site plan can position each unit with its own entry and private outdoor area. State law permits ADUs on most single-family lots, though setbacks, height limits, and parking requirements still apply. On San Dimas foothill tracts, exterior design may also need to work within the Early California or Western architectural guidelines that govern parts of the city. We can pull permits for the ADU alongside the main house 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 San Dimas and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.