New Home Construction in Orinda, CA
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Building New in Orinda
A new home in Orinda is usually a teardown-and-rebuild or a hillside lot. Either way, the project starts with the site: geotechnical investigation, grading, drainage, access for equipment, oaks and wildfire planning. Axiom Renovation (CA Lic. #1105006) builds custom homes and manages engineers, consultants and inspections from first sketch to move-in.
Construction in Progress
Photos from projects in progress. Ask us about recent new-home and rebuild projects during your consultation.
Every New Orinda Home Goes Through Design Review
Orinda requires design review for all new homes. The review looks at siting, massing, height, views and how the house fits the neighborhood, so we plan the design with that review in mind from the start.
Orinda City Hall, Planning Department
22 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563 · (925) 253-4200
Planning applications and building permit authorizations are filed online through the City’s Cloudpermit portal.
What New Construction Must Meet
- Wildfire code: The Moraga-Orinda Fire District treats its whole district as a Wildland-Urban Interface community, so new construction must meet California’s wildfire building standards, now the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code that replaced CBC Chapter 7A in the 2025 code cycle.
- Fire sprinklers: California requires automatic sprinklers in all new one- and two-family homes.
- Soils and grading: hillside sites usually need a geotechnical report, engineered foundations and a grading and drainage plan.
- Energy code: Title 24, including solar where required.
- Trees and creeks: protected oaks and creek setbacks shape where the house can sit.
From Lot to Move-In
- Feasibility: zoning, slope, trees, utilities, sewer or septic, access.
- Design and design review with the City of Orinda.
- Engineering and County plan check through ePermits.
- Demolition, grading, foundation, framing, systems, finishes.
- County final inspection and move-in.
Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development
30 Muir Road, Martinez, CA 94553 · Permit Center (925) 655-2700
Submittals are digital through the County ePermits Center. The County’s Lamorinda field office closed in March 2023. Inspections are requested through ePermits or the County inspection line, (925) 646-4108.
Building a new home and an ADU at the same time can share site work and utilities.
Keep Exploring
More Axiom services in Orinda: ADU Builder · Bathroom Remodeling · Kitchen Remodeling · Home Additions · Orinda overview
Nearby: Lafayette · Moraga · Walnut Creek · All service areas
See our custom home builder page.
Orinda New Home Construction FAQ
Does every new home in Orinda need design review?
Yes. Orinda requires design review for all new homes before the County building permit.
Are fire sprinklers required in a new Orinda home?
Yes. California requires sprinklers in all new one- and two-family homes.
Who issues the building permit for a new home in Orinda?
Contra Costa County, through its ePermits Center, after the City of Orinda approves the planning side.
How long does a new home take?
On a hillside lot, design and approvals often take many months, and construction commonly takes a year or more.