From El Dorado Hills custom homes to foothill acreage and Tahoe basin lots.
El Dorado County covers El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, Shingle Springs, Placerville, the Highway 50 foothills, and the South Lake Tahoe area. Ken Clark Jr. helps buyers, landowners, veterans, and builders finance new homes and rebuilds across the county through PRMG programs.
Short answer: PRMG construction programs are available throughout El Dorado County, subject to eligibility and program guidelines.
| Program | Often fits | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| VA one-time close | Eligible veterans building a primary residence | VA construction |
| FHA one-time close | Smaller down payments, 3.5% minimum for eligible borrowers | FHA construction |
| USDA one-time close | Income-eligible buyers in eligible rural areas | USDA construction |
| Conventional one-time close | Primary or second homes, land equity | Conventional construction |
| Jumbo construction | Custom homes above conforming and high-balance limits | Jumbo loans |
| Investor and builder | Ground-up, spec, fix and flip (business purpose) | Builder construction . Fix and flip |
El Dorado Hills custom homes often exceed conforming limits, so jumbo construction is common here.
Short answer: unincorporated lots, including El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, and Shingle Springs, go through the El Dorado County Building Division, which has offices in Placerville and South Lake Tahoe. The cities of Placerville and South Lake Tahoe issue their own permits.
See the El Dorado County Building Division, which offers online applications and a permit fee estimator. For California one-time close loans, permits are typically required before closing.
Short answer: septic systems require a permit application, review, and approval by the El Dorado County Environmental Management Department, and wells require a well permit.
See the county's Private Sewage Disposal System Ordinance. Foothill lots can involve significant septic, well, grading, and driveway costs, which belong in the line-item budget.
Short answer: much of the county is in fire hazard severity zones, and some owners are rebuilding after wildfires. Rebuilds can often be financed as construction on owned land, subject to program guidelines.
Homes in hazard zones must meet wildfire-resistant construction standards, and insurance should be confirmed early. Check the address on the State Fire Marshal FHSZ page. For rebuilds, land equity and any existing loan payoff are handled at the construction closing. See land equity.
Short answer: lots in the Tahoe basin, including South Lake Tahoe and nearby unincorporated areas, are subject to Tahoe Regional Planning Agency rules on land coverage and development in addition to local permits.
Those rules can limit how much of a lot can be covered and add review time. Check with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency early. Second homes may be financed with conventional construction.
Educational illustration only. Not an actual client, loan offer, or commitment to lend.
A move-up buyer owns a lot in El Dorado Hills worth $425,000, free and clear. The custom build is $1,150,000 and the as-completed value is $1,700,000. Because the loan amount exceeds conforming limits, jumbo construction may fit, with the owned land equity counting toward the required down payment, subject to program guidelines.
Answered by Ken Clark Jr., Certified Mortgage Advisor. Program availability and requirements vary and are subject to change.
Yes. PRMG construction programs are available throughout El Dorado County, subject to eligibility and program guidelines.
El Dorado Hills is unincorporated, so permits come from the El Dorado County Building Division.
The El Dorado County Environmental Management Department reviews and approves septic system permits.
Yes. Jumbo construction is available for eligible borrowers above conforming and high-balance limits.
Often yes. A rebuild on land you own can be financed as construction, with land equity and any existing loan payoff handled at closing, subject to program guidelines.
Yes. Lots in the Tahoe basin are subject to Tahoe Regional Planning Agency rules in addition to local permits.
For California one-time close loans, permits are typically required before closing.
Guidelines change. Verify current program requirements with Ken Clark Jr. before relying on them for a transaction.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend, a guarantee of approval, or a rate quote. Loan programs, down payment requirements, terms, and eligibility depend on borrower, property, project, builder, and program qualifications, are subject to underwriting, and vary by state. Not all applicants or projects will qualify. Builder registration is a documentation review for program eligibility and is not an endorsement of any builder. Equal Housing Opportunity. Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. (PRMG), NMLS #75243. Ken Clark Jr., NMLS #225375. PRMG is licensed in 49 states, excluding New York.
Certified Mortgage Advisor and Branch Manager at PRMG Mortgage (NMLS #75243). 28 years in mortgage lending. Specializes in FHA, VA, conventional, DPA, jumbo, Non-QM, renovation, and construction financing for buyers and investors in Sacramento, New Jersey, and nationwide. PRMG is licensed in 49 states, excluding New York. Three-time Gold Award winner for Highly Reviewed Mortgage Team in Sacramento (2023, 2024, 2025). NMLS #225375.
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