Do You Need an NHD Report for New Construction in California?
Yes, new construction in California requires a Natural Hazard Disclosure. Builders, developers, and their agents are "transferors" under Civil Code §1103 and must disclose the same statutory hazard zones as resellers.
The law applies to new construction
Civil Code §1103 applies to any "transfer by sale" of real property — it doesn't distinguish between new and existing homes. A developer selling a newly built home is a transferor. The NHD obligation exists regardless of when the structure was built.
Common misconception: new means no hazards
A brand-new home can sit in a flood zone, a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ), a seismic hazard zone, or a liquefaction zone. The age of the building is irrelevant — the land underneath carries the same natural hazard exposure.
For a complete overview of the six statutory zones, read our guide to California natural hazard zones.
Developer NHD report tiers
For subdivision builders, a Subdivision Master Report covers the entire tract, and individual Lot Reports are generated for each parcel. This is more efficient than ordering individual reports for every lot.
See how residential and developer tiers are structured on the pricing page.
Fire zones and new construction
New homes in VHFHSZ must comply with Chapter 7A building standards (ignition-resistant materials, defensible space). The NHD report documents the zone designation — the builder must comply with construction standards AND disclose the zone to the buyer.
Learn more about fire zone classifications in our guide to California fire hazard severity zones.
Bottom line
New construction carries the same NHD disclosure obligation as resale. Builders and developers should order NHD reports early in the sales process.