New Construction Homes in Santa Clarita: What's Available in 2026
Santa Clarita doesn't have a lot of new construction โ and that's by design. The valley is geographically constrained, and most prime land within established neighborhoods like Valencia, Stevenson Ranch, and Saugus was developed in previous decades.
But new construction is happening. It's just concentrated in a few specific areas โ primarily Castaic โ and it's moving fast.
Here's the full picture for buyers considering new versus resale in Santa Clarita.
Where New Construction Is Active in 2026
Castaic โ The Epicenter of New SCV Construction
Castaic is where the overwhelming majority of Santa Clarita's new construction activity is concentrated. Two major master-planned developments are actively building and selling as of 2026:
Williams Ranch โ Castaic
Williams Ranch is the largest new master-planned community in the Santa Clarita Valley in over a decade. Located in Castaic, it sits adjacent to Castaic Lake with access to one of the best recreational resources in LA County.
Key details:
- Builder: Multiple builders (Pardee Homes, Tri Pointe Homes, and others)
- Price range: Approximately $700,000 โ $1,200,000
- Home sizes: ~1,800โ3,800 sq ft
- Lot sizes: Standard suburban lots; some larger
- HOA: Yes, includes community amenities
- Schools: Castaic Union Elementary District / Castaic High School
What makes Williams Ranch notable:
- Planned community amenities including parks, trails, and recreational facilities
- New construction with modern energy efficiency standards
- Access to Castaic Lake recreation area for water sports and outdoor activities
- One of the few places in SCV where you can buy a brand-new home under $800K
The trade-off: Castaic school ratings are lower than the Hart Union District schools in Valencia and Stevenson Ranch. Families prioritizing school ratings should weigh this carefully.
North Lake โ Castaic
North Lake is another new community in the Castaic area, featuring homes in a scenic setting with mountain and open space views.
Key details:
- Price range: Approximately $750,000 โ $1,100,000
- Home sizes: ~2,000โ4,000 sq ft
- Builder mix: KB Home, TRI Pointe Homes, and others
- HOA: Yes
- Schools: Castaic Union Elementary / Castaic High School
North Lake appeals to buyers who want a newer, more contemporary home than what the resale market in Valencia or Saugus typically offers โ and are willing to accept the Castaic school district in exchange for a lower price point and fresh construction.
Canyon Country โ Pelona Hills (Active Tract Development)
Canyon Country has a significant new tract community now under construction: Pelona Hills by Intracorp Homes in the Sand Canyon area.
Pelona Hills โ Sand Canyon, Canyon Country
Pelona Hills is a 119-home single-family community on a hilltop setting with 360-degree views of the Santa Clarita Valley and the Sierra Pelona Mountains. Notably, it carries no Mello-Roos โ a rare advantage in Santa Clarita new construction that saves buyers $300โ$600/month compared to communities with these assessments.
Key details:
- Builder: Intracorp Homes
- Homes: 119 single-family detached
- Sizes: 1,830โ2,191 sq ft ยท 3โ4 bed ยท 2.5โ3 bath
- Garage: 2-car side-by-side
- Mello-Roos: None
- HOA: Yes (private streets + common area landscaping)
- Style: Early California architecture by Bassenian Lagoni Architects
- Grand Opening: March 28, 2026
- Address: 28926 Sand Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91387
- Near Vista Canyon Metrolink station and Sand Canyon Village retail
Pricing: Not publicly listed โ contact builder or call (818) 445-6354 for current pricing.
โ See the full Pelona Hills community page
In addition to Pelona Hills, Sand Canyon also has some custom and semi-custom homes on larger parcels:
Price range for custom Canyon Country builds: $900,000 โ $3M+
Valencia โ Very Limited
New construction in Valencia is extremely limited. The neighborhood is essentially built out. When new development does occur, it tends to be infill development โ small-lot projects or mixed-use developments near the Town Center corridor.
Price range: $900,000 โ $1.8M where available
Stevenson Ranch โ Nearly Zero New Construction
Stevenson Ranch is a finished neighborhood. There is no meaningful new tract construction happening here. Occasional custom builds on remaining large lots exist, but true new-construction opportunities are rare and expensive.
Active Builders in Santa Clarita (2026)
| Builder | Active Communities | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Intracorp Homes | Pelona Hills (Canyon Country) | Contact for pricing |
| Pardee Homes | Williams Ranch, Castaic | $700Kโ$1.1M |
| Tri Pointe Homes | Williams Ranch, North Lake | $800Kโ$1.2M |
| KB Home | North Lake and scattered | $700Kโ$950K |
| William Lyon Homes | Legacy communities | Resale only |
| Lennar | Limited SCV presence | $800Kโ$1.1M |
Builder rosters shift frequently. Verify current active communities directly with each builder.
New Construction vs. Resale in Santa Clarita
Reasons to Choose New Construction
Everything is new. No deferred maintenance, no aging systems, no surprises in the first few years. Roof, HVAC, appliances, plumbing โ all new.
Energy efficiency. New California buildings comply with Title 24 energy codes, meaning significantly lower utility bills than a 1990s or 2000s resale home. Solar is often standard or optionally included.
Customization. Depending on where you are in the build cycle, you may be able to choose flooring, cabinets, countertops, and other finishes.
Builder warranties. New construction typically includes a 1-year workmanship warranty, 2-year systems warranty, and 10-year structural warranty.
No bidding wars. You buy from the builder at a set price (though negotiation on upgrades and incentives is possible, especially in slower markets).
Reasons to Choose Resale
Established neighborhoods. Resale homes in Valencia, Saugus, and Stevenson Ranch are in neighborhoods with decades of community character, mature landscaping, and proven infrastructure.
Better school access. The Hart Union district high schools (Valencia, West Ranch, Saugus, Hart) are not accessible from the Castaic new-construction areas without an inter-district transfer, which is not guaranteed.
More price diversity. Resale markets offer a wider range of price points across more neighborhoods.
Faster move-in. Resale homes don't require waiting for construction completion โ often 6โ18 months for new builds.
No construction zone. Living in an active new-construction community can mean years of construction noise, traffic, and dust as surrounding phases are built.
The New Construction Process: What Buyers Often Miss
Builder Representation
Many buyers don't realize that the builder's on-site sales agent represents the builder โ not you. Having your own buyer's agent costs you nothing (the builder pays the commission) but ensures someone is looking out for your interests during the contract and construction process.
Incentives and Negotiation
Builders often offer incentives โ rate buydowns, closing cost contributions, or upgrade credits โ especially toward end of quarter when they're trying to hit sales targets. These are negotiable. Never accept the first offer.
Lender Pressure
Builders often strongly encourage (sometimes pressure) buyers to use their preferred lender. You are not obligated to do so. Always get an independent mortgage quote to compare.
Upgrades Add Up Fast
Model home upgrades look beautiful. They also typically cost $50,000โ$200,000+ extra. Set a firm upgrade budget before you start the design center visit or you'll easily overspend.
What to Know About Mello-Roos in New Communities
New construction communities in California almost universally carry Mello-Roos โ special tax assessments that fund community infrastructure (schools, roads, utilities). In Castaic's new communities, Mello-Roos assessments can add $300โ$700/month to your effective housing cost.
This is not included in the advertised home price or the builder's mortgage quote โ ask specifically what the Mello-Roos assessment is for any property. Our Buying Power Calculator lets you input this cost to see the full monthly payment.
Is New Construction Right for You?
If you want to live in Valencia, Stevenson Ranch, or Saugus โ resale is your only realistic option. New construction in those neighborhoods is effectively unavailable.
If you're open to Castaic and value a brand-new home over school district prestige, Williams Ranch and North Lake offer compelling options at price points that don't exist anywhere else in the SCV new-build market.
Know Your Numbers Before You Tour Model Homes
The builder's sales office is designed to sell you on the dream. Walk in knowing your actual budget first. Our Buying Power Calculator gives you a precise maximum purchase price based on your income, debts, and down payment โ including Mello-Roos input.
Then explore all Santa Clarita neighborhoods:
- Castaic Neighborhood Guide
- Valencia Neighborhood Guide
- Stevenson Ranch Neighborhood Guide
- Neighborhood Match Quiz โ Find Your Fit
Builder availability, pricing, and community details are subject to change. Verify current availability and pricing directly with builders. Information current as of March 2026.