New Home Construction in Lafayette, CA
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Building New in Lafayette
Lafayette’s flat land is mostly built out, so new homes here are usually rebuilds on existing lots or homes on hillside parcels. Either way, the approval path is more involved than in most Bay Area cities, and we plan for it from the start. Axiom Renovation (CA Lic. #1105006) builds custom homes and coordinates the architect, engineers and consultants.
Construction in Progress
Ask us about recent new-home and rebuild projects during your consultation.
Lafayette's Two-Phase Hillside Review
A new home on vacant hillside land goes through a Hillside Development Permit in two phases: Phase I, siting and massing, heard by the Planning Commission; then Phase II, design, heard by the Design Review Commission. Appeals move from the Zoning Administrator to the Design Review Commission, Planning Commission and City Council, each within 14 days.
In Lafayette’s single-family zones, a Design Review Permit is required when total structures on the lot exceed 6,000 sq ft, or any building is taller than 17 feet, measured from average grade at the lowest foundation wall. Minor projects are decided by the Zoning Administrator; larger ones go to the Design Review Commission. Pending design review and hillside applications need story poles or ground staking, certified by a surveyor or civil engineer and usually up at least 14 days before the hearing. Owners within 300 feet are mailed notice.
What Every New Lafayette Home Needs
- Fire sprinklers, required in all new one- and two-family homes.
- California’s Title 24 energy code, including solar where required. Lafayette has not adopted an all-electric reach code.
- Wildfire building standards where the parcel is in a High or Very High fire hazard zone. The 2025 state map, effective July 2025, shows a small Very High area in Lafayette.
- Tree permits for protected natives, decided before the building permit.
- Soils and drainage engineering on sloped lots.
Permit Path
3675 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite 210, Lafayette, CA 94549
City Hall (925) 284-1968 · Planning (925) 284-1976
Zoning plan check is submitted online through the City’s idtPlans portal. Counter time is limited and Fridays are by appointment only, so book ahead.
- Zoning plan check with the City through idtPlans: site plan, floor plans and elevations.
- Central San review if the work affects sewer.
- Contra Costa County Fire Protection District review if applicable.
- County building plan check after the City stamps the drawings.
- County inspections and final.
Lafayette contracts with the County for plan check and inspection. Submit the City-stamped plans digitally through the County ePermits Center. County offices: 30 Muir Road, Martinez · (925) 655-2700. Inspections: ePermits or (925) 646-4108.
Explore More
Other Lafayette services: ADUs · Bathrooms · Kitchens · Additions · Lafayette overview
Same service nearby: Orinda · Moraga · Walnut Creek
See our custom home builder page.
Lafayette New Home Construction FAQ
How does Lafayette review a new hillside home?
Through a two-phase Hillside Development Permit: siting and massing at the Planning Commission, then design at the Design Review Commission.
Are story poles required?
Yes, for pending design review and hillside applications, as staff direct.
Does Lafayette require all-electric new homes?
Lafayette has not adopted an all-electric reach code. New homes must meet the state energy code.
Who issues the building permit?
Contra Costa County, after City approvals.