Residential Design and Planning Services in California
From custom homes and ADUs to fire rebuild projects and multifamily developments, NTS Engineering and Design creates permit-ready plans that get approved and built — on time and on budget.
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Residential Design and Planning Services Throughout California
NTS Engineering and Design provides comprehensive residential design, planning, drafting, permit preparation, and engineering coordination services for homeowners, developers, investors, and builders throughout California. Our experienced design professionals specialize in creating functional, attractive, and permit-ready plans for new homes, custom residences, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs), home additions, remodels, multifamily developments, and residential communities.
We work closely with clients to transform ideas into practical designs while maintaining compliance with local building codes, zoning regulations, and development standards. From initial concept development through permit approval and construction support, NTS Engineering and Design provides integrated design, civil engineering, structural engineering, and geotechnical engineering services that help streamline project delivery and reduce costly delays.
Residential Design Services
From initial concept to permit-ready plans — we provide the complete residential design and planning services your project requires.
Custom Home Design
Luxury, contemporary, modern farmhouse, hillside, coastal, and estate home design. Personalized plans that maximize functionality, aesthetics, and long-term value.
Homeowners and builders creating new custom or luxury residences throughout California.
ADU and JADU Design
Detached ADU plans, attached ADU plans, garage conversions, junior ADU (JADU) plans, guest house design, and permit-ready ADU packages with full engineering coordination.
Homeowners adding rental income or living space. Investors and developers with ADU projects at scale.
Home Additions and Remodels
Room additions, second-story additions, kitchen expansions, master suite additions, open floor plan conversions, whole-house remodels, and structural modification coordination.
Homeowners expanding or modernizing existing residential structures.
Multifamily and Small Lot Development
Duplex and triplex planning, small lot subdivision design, multifamily residential design, and residential community planning tailored to local zoning and development standards.
Developers and investors pursuing multifamily or infill residential development.
Permit-Ready Construction Plans
Complete construction documents for building permit submittal — floor plans, elevations, sections, details, Title 24 coordination, and engineering plan coordination.
Homeowners, developers, and contractors who need complete permit packages accepted by local agencies.
Fire Rebuild Design Services
Replacement home design, custom home redesign, permit-ready rebuild plans, hillside reconstruction design, and full engineering coordination for fire-affected properties.
Homeowners rebuilding after the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, or other wildfire events.
Complete Residential Design Services
Our team provides a full range of residential planning and design solutions including:
- Custom home design
- Multifamily residential design
- New home planning
- Duplex and triplex planning
- ADU and JADU design
- Small lot development planning
- Home additions
- Residential site planning
- Second-story additions
- Permit-ready construction plans
- Whole-home remodels
- 3D renderings and visualizations
- Interior reconfigurations
- Title 24 coordination
- Garage conversions
- Engineering coordination
Whether you are building a custom residence, expanding an existing home, or developing a residential investment property, our team creates efficient and buildable solutions tailored to your goals and budget.
Custom Home Design Services
Building a custom home is one of the most significant investments a property owner can make. NTS Engineering and Design works closely with homeowners and builders to create personalized home designs that maximize functionality, aesthetics, and long-term value. Our custom home design services include:
- Luxury home design
- Estate home planning
- Contemporary home design
- Energy-efficient home design
- Modern farmhouse design
- Indoor-outdoor living concepts
- Hillside home planning
- Open-concept floor plans
- Coastal residence design
- Multi-generational housing design
We focus on creating homes that reflect each client's lifestyle while meeting structural, civil, and regulatory requirements.
ADU and Garage Conversion Design
California's housing demand has created tremendous opportunities for homeowners to add additional living space and rental income through accessory dwelling units. NTS Engineering and Design provides:
- Detached ADU plans
- Backyard cottage design
- Attached ADU plans
- Rental unit planning
- Garage conversion plans
- Permit-ready ADU packages
- Junior ADU plans
- Site planning and code compliance
- Guest house design
- Engineering coordination
Our team understands California ADU regulations and develops efficient designs that maximize property value and permit success.
Home Additions and Remodeling Design
Whether you are expanding your living space, modernizing an older home, or reconfiguring interior layouts, our design professionals create practical solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing structures. Services include:
- Room additions
- Whole-house remodels
- Kitchen expansions
- Aging-in-place improvements
- Master suite additions
- Multi-generational living conversions
- Second-story additions
- Structural modification coordination
- Open floor plan conversions
Our integrated approach helps homeowners improve functionality, comfort, and property value.
Fire Rebuild Design Services for Palisades and Eaton Fire Recovery
NTS Engineering and Design proudly supports homeowners rebuilding after the devastating Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire. We understand the challenges families face when replacing homes lost to wildfire events and provide responsive design and engineering solutions to help accelerate recovery.
Our fire rebuild services include:
- Replacement home design
- Structural engineering coordination
- Custom home redesign
- Civil engineering coordination
- Permit-ready construction plans
- Geotechnical engineering support
- Hillside home rebuilding
- Permit processing assistance
- Luxury home reconstruction
- Agency coordination
- Site planning and development
- Construction support services
We work with homeowners, builders, and consultants throughout Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, and surrounding communities to create modern, code-compliant homes that are safer, more resilient, and better suited for long-term performance.
Pacific Palisades Fire Rebuild Design Services
Pacific Palisades rebuilding projects often require specialized coordination due to hillside conditions, retaining walls, coastal influences, drainage requirements, and updated building regulations. NTS Engineering and Design provides comprehensive planning and design solutions for:
- Custom luxury home rebuilds
- Estate home replacement projects
- Hillside residence reconstruction
- ADU additions during reconstruction
- Coastal residential development
- Modern fire-resistant home designs
Our team helps property owners navigate the rebuilding process while maximizing the potential of their properties.
Eaton Fire Rebuild Design Services
For homeowners rebuilding in Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, and neighboring communities affected by the Eaton Fire, NTS Engineering and Design delivers practical and efficient solutions tailored to post-fire reconstruction.
We help clients move from concept to permit approval through coordinated design and engineering services that simplify the rebuilding process and reduce project timelines.
Design Services with Integrated Engineering Expertise
Unlike traditional design-only firms, NTS Engineering and Design offers the advantage of in-house engineering coordination. Our multidisciplinary team includes professionals specializing in:
- Geotechnical engineering
- Grading and drainage design
- Civil engineering
- Foundation recommendations
- Structural engineering
- Retaining wall design
- Site development
- Construction support
This integrated approach improves communication, reduces redesign costs, and helps projects move through permitting and construction more efficiently.
Who We Work With
NTS Engineering and Design is the design firm developers and contractors call when they need permit-ready residential plans coordinated with civil, structural, and geotechnical engineering from the start. One team, fewer delays, first-submittal approvals.
- Coordinated design + engineering under one roof
- Permit-ready plan sets on first submittal
- ADU and multifamily design expertise
- 24h response
Whether you're building a custom home, adding an ADU, remodeling your kitchen, or rebuilding after a wildfire — NTS Engineering and Design makes the design and permit process straightforward. We handle the plans, the engineering, and the city coordination.
- Plain English process — no surprises
- Permit-ready plans accepted by all SoCal cities
- Integrated engineering coordination
- We coordinate with your contractor and architect
Residential Design in Action
A selection of custom homes, ADUs, and rebuild projects designed and permitted across California — from luxury estates and modern farmhouses to fire rebuilds and backyard accessory dwellings.
Newport Beach Custom Home
Newport Beach, CA
Beverly Hills Custom Home
Beverly Hills, CA
Monrovia Custom Home
Monrovia, CA
Kamuela Custom Home
Kamuela, HI
Cabezon Residence
San Diego, CA
Pasadena Fire Rebuild
Pasadena, CA
Robertson Synagogue
Los Angeles, CA
Robertson Synagogue Interior
Los Angeles, CA
San Bernardino Assisted Living
San Bernardino, CA
Manteca Restaurant
Manteca, CA
Serving All of California
Orange County
- Santa Ana
- Huntington Beach
- Fountain Valley
- Orange
- Costa Mesa
Los Angeles County
- Long Beach
- Glendale
- Pasadena
- Torrance
- Pomona
- Lancaster
- Palmdale
Riverside County
- Riverside
- Moreno Valley
- Corona
San Bernardino County
- San Bernardino
- Fontana
- Rancho Cucamonga
San Diego County
- Escondido
Ventura County
- Ventura
Santa Clara County
- San Jose
- Sunnyvale
San Francisco County
- San Francisco
Alameda County
- Fremont
- Hayward
Sacramento County
- Sacramento
Fresno County
- Fresno
Stanislaus County
- Modesto
Kern County
Countywide coverage
San Mateo County
Countywide coverage
Santa Barbara County
Countywide coverage
Sonoma County
Countywide coverage
Marin County
Countywide coverage
Santa Cruz County
Countywide coverage
+ surrounding communities
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Most California jurisdictions require permit-ready construction plans prepared by a licensed design professional before issuing a building permit for an ADU, addition, or new home.
Ready to Move Your Project Forward?
Whether you need custom home plans, an ADU permit package, a remodeling design, or full design and engineering support for a fire rebuild — NTS Engineering and Design is ready to help.