Beverly Hills is almost entirely built out, so new construction here nearly always means a teardown-rebuild or a major ground-up custom project on an existing lot. The specific rules depend heavily on where in the city you’re building. In Trousdale Estates, the 1987 Trousdale Ordinance imposes a 14-foot height limit, restricts graded building pads, and requires hillside fences to remain open rather than solid — protections written into the city’s zoning code under Article 26 after decades of advocacy by the Trousdale Estates Homeowners Association. In the Flats, buyers more often pursue full teardown-rebuilds on the neighborhood’s generous
50-to-75-foot-wide lots, working within the city’s Spanish Colonial Revival and French Chateau architectural traditions or pursuing contemporary designs.
Financing a project like this with two separate loans — construction, then a refinance into permanent — adds cost and risk at exactly the wrong points, particularly given how much of Beverly Hills’s construction activity involves architecturally significant, high-budget projects. A One-Time Close structure avoids that by combining both into a single closing.
A One-Time Close Construction loan combines your construction financing and your permanent mortgage into a single closing, structured in three phases:
Construction phase: Funds are disbursed in draws as your project is built, whether that's a Trousdale Estates rebuild working within the Trousdale Ordinance's height and pad restrictions or a Flats teardown-rebuild.
Conversion Phase: Once construction is complete and the certificate of occupancy is issued, the loan converts automatically into permanent financing — no second closing, no second round of underwriting or appraisal.
Permanent Phase: You begin making standard mortgage payments on the converted loan, at the rate and terms locked in from the start of your project.
Key Features:
Single closing covers both construction and permanent financing
Rate can be locked before demolition begins, reducing exposure to rate movement during your build
Draw schedules structured around your architect and builder's timeline through Beverly Hills's design review process
Financing available for the property purchase and the subsequent rebuild
Eliminates the cost of a second set of closing fees
For construction projects with all-in budgets within or near Los Angeles County’s conforming loan range — a rare scenario in Beverly Hills’s core neighborhoods, but relevant to smaller-scale remodels and additions.
Given Beverly Hills’s citywide median sale price near $5.62 million, and Trousdale Estates and Flats rebuild budgets frequently exceeding that once land and construction are combined, most Beverly Hills construction projects require Jumbo-level One-Time Close financing.
For buyers working with an architect through Beverly Hills’s Architectural Commission or the Trousdale Estates-specific review process, with draw schedules built around the specific phased permitting this city requires.
Trousdale Estates
The city's most architecturally distinctive rebuild corridor, where mid-century originals by architects like A. Quincy Jones and Richard Neutra are either sympathetically restored or replaced with ground-up contemporary homes, always within the Trousdale Ordinance's height and pad restrictions.
The Flats
The city's highest-volume rebuild market, where generous lot widths of 50 to 75 feet support substantial ground-up construction within the neighborhood's classic Spanish Colonial Revival and French Chateau architectural character.
Beverly Hills Post Office (BHPO)
Technically unincorporated LA County rather than the city proper, BHPO offers larger, more varied lots for new construction, though sales here above certain thresholds fall under the City of Los Angeles's Measure ULA transfer tax, unlike comparable sales within Beverly Hills city limits.
Experience financing rebuilds under the Trousdale Ordinance's specific height and design requirements
Jumbo One-Time Close structuring for Beverly Hills's high per-square-foot construction costs
Rate-lock strategy built around Beverly Hills's design review and permitting timelines
Direct coordination with architects and builders on draw schedules
Understanding of how BHPO's LA jurisdiction differs from Beverly Hills proper for tax purposes
Ryan Lehrman, NMLS #235295
Credit profile: Generally 700+ credit score, higher for Jumbo-level construction amounts
Down payment or equity: Typically 10-20% for the combined land and construction budget
Builder verification:: Confirmation of your contractor's license, project plans, and Beverly Hills permit status, including Trousdale-specific review where applicable
Reserves: Sufficient liquid reserves to cover the build timeline, including the city's design review and permitting process
Initial consultation — We review your project, target sub-market, and total budget, including land, permitting, and construction.
Pre-approval and rate lock — We lock your rate structure before demolition begins, protecting you from rate movement during your build.
Draw coordination — I work directly with your architect and builder to structure disbursements against Beverly Hills's design review and permitting schedule.
Completion and conversion — Once your home receives its certificate of occupancy, the loan converts to permanent financing with no second closing.
Permanent phase begins — You move into standard mortgage payments on the terms locked in from day one.
The Trousdale Ordinance's 14-foot height limit and restrictions on graded building pads primarily affect your design and permitting timeline rather than the loan structure itself, but I build extra time into your draw schedule to account for the review process this ordinance requires.
Yes. I structure One-Time Close construction loans for physicians using contract or practice income documentation, the same approach used on our Physician Mortgage Loans page, so your build timeline can align with your practice or employment situation.
It can. BHPO falls under City of Los Angeles jurisdiction despite sharing the 90210 zip code, which means a completed new-construction sale there may be subject to the City of Los Angeles's Measure ULA transfer tax at certain price thresholds, unlike a comparable sale within Beverly Hills city limits. I'd recommend confirming your parcel's exact jurisdiction early in the planning process.
Because the city's citywide median sale price already sits near $5.62 million, and rebuild budgets in Trousdale Estates or the Flats routinely exceed Los Angeles County's $1,249,125 conforming limit once land and construction costs are combined, making Jumbo or Super-Jumbo One-Time Close financing the standard rather than the exception here.
Building your new home in Beverly Hills starts here. Let’s talk through your builder, your site, and your timeline.
Originally from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, I moved to Phoenix to attend Arizona State University and have proudly called Phoenix home ever since.
My journey into the mortgage industry began with a friend’s encouragement, who saw how my energy and people-first mindset could make a difference. He was right — I found my calling.
I’ve always embraced what makes me different. With ADHD as my secret weapon, I thrive in fast-paced, detail-heavy environments. I’ve built my career on clear communication, creative problem-solving, and putting clients first, always.
Outside of work, my greatest motivation is my wife and three amazing kids. I’d be honored to help guide you through your lending journey with care, clarity, and commitment.
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