Custom Home Design in San Clemente
Custom architectural designs and permit services for San Clemente’s most prestigious coastal communities. With over 10 years of experience, we specialize in creating stunning coastal homes we design.





Why Build Custom Homes in San Clemente?
A custom home is the only way to truly capture the essence of coastal living and maximize the value of your San Clemente property.

Maximize Ocean Views
Standard plans often fail to capture the specific view corridors of San Clemente lots. Our custom designs are oriented to frame ocean vistas, sunsets, and canyon views perfectly from your primary living spaces.

Navigate Coastal Terrain
From the bluffs of Cyprus Shores to the hills of Talega, San Clemente’s topography requires specialized site planning. We design homes that work with the land, reducing grading costs and maximizing usable yard space.

Historic & Modern Harmony
Whether adhering to the Ole Hanson style requirements or pushing the boundaries with modern coastal architecture, a custom design ensures your home stands out while respecting the community’s character.
Your Expert Partner for Custom Home Design & Permits in San Clemente
Building in San Clemente comes with a unique set of regulatory hurdles. We are not just designers; we are your advocates throughout the pre-construction process.
Coastal Commission Expertise
We have extensive experience navigating the California Coastal Commission requirements, ensuring your dream home doesn’t get stuck in red tape or face unexpected delays.
HOA & Architectural Review
From the strict guidelines of Talega to the specific requirements of Cyprus Shores, we handle all HOA submissions and presentations, leveraging our 10+ years of local experience.
Design-Only Focus
Because we don’t build, our plans are detailed and unbiased. You can take our bid-ready sets to any contractor, ensuring you get the best construction price without conflict of interest.





Start Designing Your Dream Home in San Clemente Today
Custom Homes Tailored to Your Unique Vision
Our Proven Custom Home Design Process in San Clemente
With over 10 years of perfecting our process, we follow a proven approach to designing and planning custom homes in San Clemente, ensuring every detail exceeds expectations.

Schedule Your Free Consultation
We begin with an in-depth discussion of your vision, property, and specific requirements for your San Clemente location.

Design Development & Refinement
Our team creates initial concepts and works closely with you through iterations until every detail reflects your vision.

Site Planning & Adaptation
We adapt the design to your property’s unique topography, view corridors, and Coastal Commission guidelines.

Permit Processing & Plan Corrections
We navigate city and HOA approval processes, managing all submissions and required plan corrections.

Final Design & Delivery
You receive complete architectural plans and permits, ready for your selected builder to bring to life.
Begin your custom home design journey with us, where trust, clarity, and expert craftsmanship lead every step of the way.




We Specialize in Custom Home Design, Not Construction
Our expertise is focused solely on the creative and regulatory phases of your custom home in San Clemente. From the initial concept to securing final permit approval, we manage every detail—except construction.
This dedicated approach allows us to pour 100% of our attention into crafting precisely detailed plans that builders trust and municipalities approve without delay.



Expertise in Luxury Custom Home Design for San Clemente Residents
With more than 10 years of experience in San Clemente, we specialize in a wide range of architectural styles and property types, tailored to the unique needs of the region.
Oceanfront Custom Home
Coastal Contemporary
Coastal contemporary design for San Clemente oceanfront gated community with panoramic Pacific views.
Spanish Colonial Revival
Spanish Revival
Classic red tiles, arches, and stucco honoring San Clemente’s ‘Spanish Village’ heritage.
Talega Estate
Mediterranean
Large family estate in Talega maximizing indoor-outdoor living and hill views.
Modern Coastal
Modern
Sleek lines and glass walls designed for a central San Clemente infill lot.
Cyprus Shores Retreat
Transitional
Elegant transitional design balancing luxury with the relaxed beach lifestyle.
Hillside Modern
Contemporary
Multi-level design adapted to steep terrain with cantilevered decks.
*Our clients value their privacy. Images shown are representative of design styles, not specific projects.
Tailored Custom Home Design Solutions for San Clemente’s Exclusive Neighborhoods
We excel in overcoming the unique challenges of San Clemente’s varied landscapes, from coastal bluffs to expansive inland estates.
San Clemente – Coastal
Cyprus Shores & Cotton Point
Oceanfront gated custom homes with expertise in coastal regulations, bluff-top engineering, and breathtaking ocean views.
San Clemente – Inland
Talega
Large inland custom lots offering panoramic hill views and requiring adherence to specific master-plan architectural styles.
San Clemente – City
Coastal & Central
Serving Sea Pointe Estates, The Reserve, and custom infill lots throughout the city, respecting the ‘Spanish Village’ heritage.
We also provide custom home design services throughout other areas of San Clemente and South Orange County.
Top Questions About Custom Home Design in San Clemente Answered
What is custom home design in San Clemente?
A custom home is “a one‑of‑a‑kind house designed to fulfill the requirements and preferences of a particular client and location.
In San Clemente this means working with architecture, design and site‑specific constraints (coastal view lots, hillside parcels, oceanair exposure) to create a home uniquely tailored to the homeowner and lot.
How does custom home design work in San Clemente?
While a full step‑by‑step specific to San Clemente is rarely published in public sources, one local builder outlines process phases for San Clemente:
- -Preliminary design & engineering (feasibility study of lot).
- -Architectural & engineering plans, including HOA & structural drawings.
- – HOA / building permit submittals & approvals for San Clemente’s terrain/locational constraints.
- – Construction begins once permits are in place.
So effectively: consultation → design/concept → engineering & permitting → build.
What is the process of designing a custom home in San Clemente?
Similar to above, the process can be summarised as:
- – Property/lot evaluation (topography, views, orientation)
- – Conceptual design/architectural planning
- – Engineering and plan set development (structural, mechanical)
- – Submissions for design review & permit approvals (including any coastal/hillside/HOA reviews)
- – Construction once all approvals secured.
This aligns with industry sources referencing the phases for clients in San Clemente.
How much does it cost to design a custom home in San Clemente?
There’s limited data specific to purely design fees in San Clemente. However: In California broadly, hiring an architect for a custom home may cost around 5%‑20% of the final build cost.
Thus if a custom home build is $2,000,000, design fees might approximate $100,000‑$400,000 (depending on scope, complexity). You would need to adapt this for your local market.
What is the average price per square foot for a custom home in San Clemente?
Again, specific to San Clemente is not widely published. But in California:
- – Building a custom home in California in 2025 ranges from $400 to $700+ per square foot for high‑end projects.
- – More moderate custom builds may run $150‑$500 per square foot depending on finish, location, and scope.
You should communicate that for San Clemente’s premium coastal/hillside market, expect costs toward the upper end of the spectrum.
What factors affect the cost of custom home design in San Clemente?
Major cost‑drivers include:
- – Location/site conditions (hillside lots, oceanfront exposures, soils) – e.g., hillside terrain often increases cost.
- – Design/finish complexity: high‑end materials, bespoke features = higher cost.
- – Permits/regulatory complexity: coastal and hillside lots often require more engineering and reviews.
- – Architectural/design fees: as noted above, may represent 5‑20% of build cost.
- – Market conditions/labor/materials: California labor and materials tend to be high.
These factors are applicable directly to San Clemente’s coastal luxury market.
How much should I budget for custom home design services in San Clemente?
Given the above: If the expected build cost for a custom home in San Clemente is say $500+ per square foot (for premium coastal lots), and you hire an architect/design service that charges ~10% of build cost, then for a 4,000 sq ft home:
- – Build cost: 4,000 × $500 = ~$2,000,000
- – Design services budget ~10% → ~$200,000
Use that as a ballpark guideline for premium custom homes in San Clemente.
What are the popular custom home designs in San Clemente?
Custom home builders in San Clemente emphasise designs that:
- – Maximise indoor‑outdoor flow, especially for coastal lots.
- – Feature large windows to capture views and sea breezes.
- – Blend styles: modern coastal, Spanish Colonial Revival, contemporary hillside villas. For example, one architect indicates their homes span “Custom Single‑Family … $1.5M+ … customised to your lifestyle”.
Thus, your marketing should highlight your expertise in hillside/coastal/luxury design styles.
How do I design a custom home that maximizes ocean views in San Clemente?
Guidance:
- – Orient living spaces and large glazing toward the ocean/major view corridor.
- – Use larger windows, sliding glass walls or balconies to capture the view and natural light.
- – Minimise obstructions: place terraces and outdoor spaces toward the view.
- – Use site‑specific design: on hillside lots design floor plates to step down or up following the terrain to optimise view exposure. One builder in San Clemente notes they “work with lots that are bluff‑top, narrow hillside parcels, coastal‑view corridors …”.
- – Use materials and finishes that handle the salt/coastal environment (durability).
These are practical steps you can convey to clients.
What permits are needed to design and build a custom home in San Clemente?
According to the city’s Planning Services:
- – A building permit is required for new construction.
- – Design review may be required for projects in architectural overlay districts.
- – If the lot is in a Specific Plan area (e.g., Forster Ranch, Marblehead, Talega) then there may be additional Specific Plan design guidelines.
- – HOA approvals may also be required (for gated/coastal communities) though specific documents vary by association.
Thus your design service should emphasise your expertise in navigating these permitting steps.
Are there specific HOA guidelines for custom home designs in San Clemente?
While I did not find a publicly listed comprehensive HOA guideline document for every community, it is indicated that:
- – Projects in San Clemente’s Architectural Overlay and other districts may need discretionary design review.
- – Builders report needing to prepare material/finish submittals to HOA or architectural review boards in San Clemente.
Thus yes, specific HOA/design review guidelines apply, particularly in coastal and hillside neighborhoods.
What are the zoning requirements for custom homes in San Clemente?
From the city’s zoning information:
- – Zoning Ordinance and Specific Plans determine what uses and designs are allowed in each zone.
- – Projects within overlay districts or special plan areas must adhere to Design Guidelines.
Therefore, your design process needs to begin by verifying the zoning classification of the lot and whether any overlay or special plan applies.
How can I design a custom home on a steep hill in San Clemente?
Practical considerations:
- – Use stepped floor plates and retain natural slope rather than flattening large areas, to reduce grading costs.
- – Ensure structural design addresses hillside challenges. One builder notes they “have experience with many of the area’s most complex lots — bluff‑top, narrow hillside parcels, coastal‑view corridors.”
- – Orient living spaces upward toward the view, use terraces and outdoor spaces accordingly.
- – Work early with geotechnical/structural engineers to optimise cost and risk.
These are key aspects you should highlight in your service offering.
How long does it take to design and build a custom home in San Clemente?
One local builder states: “While timelines vary, most of our homes take between 12 to 18 months from design approval to move‑in” in San Clemente.
Note: Pre‑design and permitting may add several months before design approval, especially with coastal/hillside, HOA, or complex site conditions.
What are the key features I should include in a custom home design in San Clemente?
Key features relevant to the market include:
- – Indoor‑outdoor living and large glass walls to capture sunsets/coast.
- – High-end finishes/materials, durable for coastal environment.
- – Smart home/technology integrations (given premium market).
- – Site‑specific features: ocean views, hillside integration, terraces, private outdoor space.
- – Design for lifestyle: e.g., multi‑generation suites, equestrian facilities, entertainment areas (depending on lot).
These align with what luxury buyers in San Clemente expect.
What makes a custom home in San Clemente unique compared to regular homes?
- – Custom homes are tailored to the lot and homeowner: unlike production homes, every layout and finish is personalized.
- – In San Clemente, you have unique geographic/site features (oceanfront, hillside, bluff‑top) that standard homes don’t optimise.
- – The regulatory, topographic and coastal conditions demand higher expertise, so custom solutions are more common for premium sites.
Hence a custom home in San Clemente can significantly differentiate itself in aesthetics, value, functionality and site use.
How do custom homes in San Clemente compare to those in other parts of Orange County?
While direct comparative data is sparse, a general observation:
- – Coastal/hillside custom homes (like San Clemente) tend to have higher cost per square foot and more complex design/regulation than inland tract homes.
- – Custom homes near coast in California are listed in cost ranges $400‑$700+ per square foot.
Thus, San Clemente custom homes will typically be at the premium end relative to many inland Orange County locations.
What is the resale value of a custom home in San Clemente?
I did not locate a publicly cited percentage uplift specific to San Clemente. However, industry literature states custom homes “stand out from other homes and can be designed to fit the specific characteristics of the land they are built on” which tends to support higher resale value.
You may need proprietary market‑data (MLS, local brokers) to quantify % uplift for your region.
Are custom homes in San Clemente a good investment?
Yes, based on the considerations:
- – They exploit premium sites (ocean/hillside) and tailored design → higher perceived and actual value.
- – They provide differentiation in a luxury market.
- – If built with quality, they tend to retain value and command premium resale.
The caveat: you must manage cost, process, site complexity and regulatory risk to ensure investment return.
Have More Questions? Find Answers in Our FAQ Section!
Hear From Our Clients About Our Custom Home Design Services in San Clemente
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
When we moved to San Clemente, we worried that designing a custom home on our oceanfront lot would be too complicated and cost more than expected. Jean-Prescott worked with us every step of the way to ensure our vision was perfectly executed, all while keeping costs in check. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome!
John & Sarah W. – The Coast District
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I was concerned that the HOA guidelines in San Clemente would limit what we could do with our custom home design. Thankfully, Jean-Prescott handled all the approvals and worked seamlessly with the city, saving us months of delays. Now, we have a home that perfectly suits our family’s needs.
Mark & Emily T. – Marblehead
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We wanted to build a home with panoramic ocean views, but I was unsure how to maximize the design with the unique layout of the lot. Jean-Prescott made the process easy, transforming what seemed like a complex project into a smooth experience. Now, we have the best view in San Clemente!
James & Karen F. – San Clemente Pier Bowl
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