Monterey County New Construction Homes for Sale

By Matthew Martinez, Founder, CEO & Managing Broker, Diamond Real Estate Group. California DRE #01869679.

New construction homes in Monterey County are concentrated in two places: the Salinas Future Growth Area, where the city has approved the West Area and Central Area specific plans, and the former Fort Ord, home to the county’s East Garrison community and Marina’s University Villages Specific Plan. Before you sign with a builder, know that California’s Right to Repair Act (SB 800) sets your warranty and claim rights, and that a newly built home is reappraised on completion and on sale, producing supplemental tax bills.

At a glance

Where to look in Monterey County

These are the plan areas we confirmed on city, county and state sites. We do not predict prices or timing; ask the planning office or the builder which phases are active.

Salinas Future Growth Area. The city is planning new neighborhoods in three specific plan areas in what it calls the North of Boronda Future Growth Area. The West Area Specific Plan was approved by the City Council in 2019 and the Central Area Specific Plan in 2020; the East Area Specific Plan is in early stages. In August 2024 the council approved a tentative map for a 187-acre subdivision along Boronda Road in the Central Area plan, with 1,674 single-family and multifamily homes plus parks, as the first of several phases. Environmental documents for both approved plans are on the city’s approved plans page. See Salinas real estate and North Salinas homes for sale.

East Garrison. On former Fort Ord land off Reservation Road between Davis and Blanco Roads, East Garrison is a county project, not a city one. The county’s project page lists an approved combined development permit for a specific plan, a mixed-use zoning district and a subdivision for 1,400 or more homes, with commercial and public uses. See East Garrison real estate, and our page on East Garrison association and assessment costs.

Marina. The city of Marina is the lead agency for the University Villages Specific Plan at Highway 1 and Imjin Parkway. Its 2004 state environmental filing (CEQAnet) described 429 acres with 1,237 proposed homes at a range of affordability levels, plus retail, office and hotel space, replacing former military buildings. Check the city’s current planning records for what has been built and what remains. See Marina real estate.

Elsewhere. Smaller subdivisions and infill projects appear in Seaside, Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield and King City. On the Monterey Peninsula, including Monterey, water is a key check for any new home: the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District runs a water permit process, with guidance on topics such as ADUs and added bathrooms (MPWMD). Our page on water use and property plans in Monterey County explains what to check. For a town-by-town comparison, see where to live in Monterey County.

What to check before you buy

City or county. East Garrison and other unincorporated communities are permitted by the county; Salinas, Marina and Seaside projects by the city. The jurisdiction decides which planning conditions, fees and services apply. Our unincorporated Monterey County page covers the county side.

The DRE public report. A builder must obtain a subdivision public report from the Department of Real Estate before marketing a new subdivision. The DRE says it covers use restrictions, HOA costs and assessments and other material disclosures, and you must receive it before you are obligated to buy.

Special taxes and assessments. New neighborhoods may sit inside a Community Facilities District or other assessment district that funds roads, parks or services. The subdivider must give you a notice of special tax before you sign (Gov. Code 53341.5), and the tax follows a rate and method of apportionment set when the district was formed (Gov. Code 53321). Ask the builder for every district on the parcel and confirm amounts with the levying agency. Our Mello-Roos guide explains the notice.

HOA documents. Most new subdivisions have an association. In an early phase the budget is a projection, so read the CC&Rs, budget and reserve study; see our HOA documents guide.

Water, hazards and disclosures. Confirm the water provider and any water allocation tied to the lot, and review the Natural Hazard Disclosure statement before contingencies end (NHD guide).

Supplemental tax bills on new construction

The Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector explains that a supplemental assessment is created when a property is reappraised at market value after a change in ownership or completion of new construction, and covers the difference between the prior roll value and the new value. The tax is a lien as of the change date. Due dates depend on when the bill is mailed: for a bill mailed July through October, the first installment is delinquent after December 10 and the second after April 10; for a bill mailed November through June, the first is delinquent at the end of the month after mailing and the second four months later. On a new home you may see a bill for the completed construction and another for your purchase. Ask your lender whether it will pay supplemental bills from your impound account, and budget for them in case it does not. See our supplemental tax bill guide and Prop 13 guide.

Builder warranties and SB 800

California’s Right to Repair Act (Civil Code 895 through 945.5) covers newly built homes:

• Fit and finish: at least a one-year written limited warranty on cabinets, mirrors, flooring, walls, countertops, paint and trim (Civil Code 900).
• Documents at sale: maintenance recommendations, product warranties, the builder’s warranties, a copy of the statute, a recorded notice of the claim procedures and the builder’s agent for notice (Civil Code 912). On written request, the builder must also provide plans and soils reports within 30 days.
• Notice before suing: a written claim sent to the builder by certified mail, overnight mail or personal delivery (Civil Code 910).
• Time limit: most claims within 10 years of substantial completion (Civil Code 941).

Hire your own inspector anyway. Code inspections are not workmanship reviews; a pre-drywall and pre-closing inspection gives you a list while the builder’s crews are still on site. See our home inspection guide and how a builder warranty differs from a home warranty plan.

Your own agent at the sales office

The builder’s on-site team represents the builder. You can have your own agent, but check the builder’s registration policy before your first visit, since some require your agent to be with you or named then. Your agent can compare incentives and lot premiums, review the builder’s contract and track deadlines. See buyer broker agreements in California and our guide to buying new construction in California.

Questions people ask

Where are new homes being built in Monterey County?

Mainly in the Salinas Future Growth Area under the West Area and Central Area specific plans, at East Garrison on former Fort Ord, and in Marina under the University Villages Specific Plan, with smaller projects in Seaside and the Salinas Valley cities.

Is East Garrison in a city?

No. It is an unincorporated community, and the County of Monterey approved its specific plan and subdivision.

What should I check about water on the Monterey Peninsula?

Within the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, building and some remodels go through the district’s water permit process. Confirm water availability with the district’s Permits and Conservation Office before you buy a lot or plan to build.

When are supplemental taxes due?

It depends on when the bill is mailed. For a bill mailed July through October, installments go delinquent after December 10 and April 10; for one mailed November through June, the first goes delinquent at the end of the next month.

What warranty does a builder owe me?

At least one year on fit-and-finish items under Civil Code 900. SB 800 performance standards generally allow claims for up to 10 years after substantial completion.

Should I inspect a brand-new home?

Yes. An independent inspector can catch workmanship issues that code inspections do not, while the builder can still fix them.

Can I use my own agent with a builder?

Yes. Check the builder’s registration rules before your first visit so your agent can represent you.

Sources & notes

1. City of Salinas: East Area Specific Plan: the three Future Growth Area plans and approval years.
2. City of Salinas: Council approves first step toward new subdivision and Approved plans.
3. County of Monterey HCD: East Garrison.
4. CEQAnet: University Villages Specific Plan, SCH 2004091167: 2004 notice of preparation; figures are as proposed then.
5. Monterey Peninsula Water Management District: water permit process and Permits and Conservation Office.
6. Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector: Supplemental property tax.
7. California DRE: Public Reports.
8. Civil Code 900, 910, 912 and 941; Gov. Code 53341.5 and 53321.

Plans, phases and water rules change; confirm with the city or county planning office and with MPWMD or your water provider. Statutes can be amended; check current text on leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.

General information, not legal, tax or lending advice. Updated November 2026. Primary sources are linked in this guide.

Related: Monterey County real estate · Where to live in Monterey County · Mello-Roos in California · Supplemental tax bills · New construction vs. existing homes