Service Area
Custom Home Builder in Kenwood & Glen Ellen
Luxury estates, fire rebuilds, and vineyard properties in the heart of Sonoma Valley's most beautiful communities.
Schedule a ConsultationKenwood & Glen Ellen, CA
Where the valley meets the mountains — and resilience meets beauty.
Kenwood and Glen Ellen sit at the northern end of the Sonoma Valley, where the flatlands give way to the foothills of Sugarloaf Ridge and Hood Mountain. It's some of the most beautiful landscape in all of Sonoma County — rolling vineyards, ancient oaks, and views that stretch for miles. Jack London chose to live here for a reason.
It's also an area that has been profoundly affected by wildfire. The 2017 Nuns Fire burned through large sections of Glen Ellen and Kenwood, destroying homes and reshaping the community. The 2019 Kincade Fire and 2020 Glass Fire brought further devastation. For many homeowners here, building isn't just about aesthetics — it's about creating a home that can withstand the next fire.
We understand this deeply. Kelly's family lost their home in the 2017 fires, and that experience drives our commitment to fire-resilient construction. When we build in Kenwood and Glen Ellen, we think about materials, defensible space, ember resistance, and evacuation routes — not as afterthoughts, but as fundamental design principles.
Building in Kenwood & Glen Ellen
What makes this area unique for builders.
01
Fire-Resilient Design
Most properties in Kenwood and Glen Ellen fall within the Wildland-Urban Interface zone, which means stricter building codes and a genuine need for fire-resilient construction. We use Class A roofing, ember-resistant vents, non-combustible siding, tempered dual-pane windows, and defensible space planning as standard practice. It's not optional here — it's essential.
02
Luxury Estate Properties
Kenwood and Glen Ellen are home to some of Sonoma County's most prestigious properties — vineyard estates, hilltop retreats, and multi-structure compounds. Building on these properties requires coordination between architects, landscape designers, and sometimes vineyard managers. We bring the project management expertise to keep these complex projects on track and on budget.
03
Rural & Hillside Building
Many properties in this area are on hillsides, in wooded settings, or on larger rural parcels. This means dealing with access roads, septic systems, well water, and terrain that requires specialized engineering. We're experienced with the unique challenges of rural construction in Sonoma County and work with civil engineers who know this landscape well.
Representative Work
Poplar Restoration & Bennett Valley Remodel
The SRS Difference
We've rebuilt from the ashes. We understand what's at stake.
Sonoma Residential Services is a family-owned, veteran and woman-owned construction firm. When the 2017 fires swept through Sonoma County, Kelly's family lost their home. That experience didn't just change their lives — it changed how they build. Every home we construct in fire-prone areas like Kenwood and Glen Ellen is built with the understanding that it needs to protect the people inside it.
Ryan brings over a decade of construction experience and a Master's Degree in Construction Management, along with the discipline and attention to detail from his service in the U.S. Air Force. Kelly brings deep local knowledge and a genuine empathy for homeowners navigating the rebuild process. Together, they lead a team that treats every project as if it were their own home.
50+
Years Family Legacy
Fire
Rebuild Specialists
Veteran
& Woman-Owned
Our Services in Kenwood & Glen Ellen
What we build in the Valley of the Moon.
Kenwood & Glen Ellen FAQs
Common questions about building in Kenwood & Glen Ellen.
Yes — this is something we feel strongly about. The 2017 fires devastated parts of Kenwood and Glen Ellen, and the threat of wildfire remains a reality for properties in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). We build with fire-resilient materials and techniques: Class A fire-rated roofing, ember-resistant vents, tempered glass, non-combustible siding, and defensible space planning. Our Poplar Insurance Restoration project is a direct example of this approach — a home rebuilt from the ground up with fire resilience as a core design principle.
Kenwood and Glen Ellen are unincorporated areas of Sonoma County, so permitting goes through the county's Permit Sonoma department rather than a city planning office. The process can be more involved for rural properties, particularly those in hillside areas or the WUI zone, where additional fire safety and environmental reviews may be required. We're experienced with the county's process and handle all permitting for our clients.
We can. Many of the most beautiful properties in Kenwood and Glen Ellen are on hillsides with views of the valley or Sugarloaf Ridge. Building on these lots requires specialized engineering — retaining walls, proper drainage, and sometimes pier-and-beam foundations. There are also additional county requirements for hillside development. We work with experienced civil engineers and have completed projects on challenging terrain.
Absolutely. The Kenwood and Glen Ellen area is home to some of Sonoma County's most beautiful estate properties — many with vineyards, orchards, or significant acreage. Projects on these properties often involve more than just the main residence. We've worked on guest houses, pool houses, outdoor entertaining spaces, and agricultural structures. We coordinate with landscape architects and vineyard managers to ensure the construction process respects the property as a whole.
We recommend reaching out 4-6 months before you'd like to start construction, particularly for new construction or major remodels. The design and permitting phase for rural properties in Sonoma County can take 3-6 months on its own, depending on the complexity of the project and any environmental or fire safety reviews required. For fire rebuilds, the timeline can sometimes be expedited, and we're happy to discuss your specific situation.
Get Started
Ready to build in Kenwood or Glen Ellen?
Whether it's a fire rebuild, a luxury remodel, or a new home on a vineyard estate — let's talk about your project.