UCP (UCP) 10-K 17 Mar 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 07, 2014
			Common Class A [Member]
Entity Registrant Name	'UCP, Inc.	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001572684	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Non-accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	'	7,835,562
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	$0	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$87,503	$10,324
Real estate inventories	176,848	125,367
Fixed assets, net	1,028	680
Receivables	785	243
Other assets	1,156	920
Total assets	267,320	137,534
Liabilities and equity:	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	18,654	6,107
Debt	30,950	29,112
Total liabilities	49,604	35,219
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)	'	'
Memberbs equity	'	'
Memberbs equity	'	102,315
Stockholdersb equity	'	'
Preferred stock	0	'
Additional paid-in capital	93,117	'
Accumulated Deficit	-1,941	'
Total UCP, Inc. stockholdersb equity	91,254	0
Noncontrolling interest	126,462	0
Total liabilities and equity	217,716	102,315
Total liabilities and equity	267,320	137,534
Common Class A [Member]	'	'
Stockholdersb equity	'	'
Common stock	78	'
Common Class B [Member]	'	'
Stockholdersb equity	'	'
Common stock	'	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0
Common Class A [Member]	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	7,750,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	7,750,000
Common Class B [Member]	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	1,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	100
Common stock, shares outstanding	100

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income or Loss (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
REVENUE:	'	'	'
Homebuilding	$72,511	$14,060	$8,285
Land development	20,215	44,066	15,893
Total revenue	92,726	58,126	24,178
COSTS AND EXPENSES:	'	'	'
Cost of sales - homebuilding	57,500	9,832	5,621
Cost of sales - land development	13,820	32,876	17,280
Sales and marketing	6,647	2,875	1,414
General and administrative	19,368	10,103	6,464
Total costs and expenses	97,335	55,686	30,779
(Loss) income from operations	-4,609	2,440	-6,601
Other income, net	322	578	34
Net (loss) income before income taxes	-4,287	3,018	-6,567
Provision for income taxes	0	0	0
Net (loss) income	-4,287	3,018	-6,567
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-2,346	3,018	-6,567
Net loss attributable to UCP, Inc.	-1,941	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	0	0
Comprehensive (loss) income	-4,287	3,018	-6,567
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-2,346	3,018	-6,567
Comprehensive loss attributable to UCP, Inc.	($1,941)	$0	$0
Weighted average common shares:	'	'	'
Basic and diluted shares outstanding (in shares)	7,750,000	'	'
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (usd per share)	($0.25)	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)

Total

Post IPO [Member]

Common Class A [Member]

Common Class B [Member]

Member equity [Member]

Member equity [Member]

Member equity [Member]

Common stock [Member]

Common stock [Member]

Additional paid-in capital [Member]

Additional paid-in capital [Member]

Additional paid-in capital [Member]

Accumulated deficit [Member]

Accumulated deficit [Member]

Noncontrolling interest [Member]

Noncontrolling interest [Member]

Noncontrolling interest [Member]

Noncontrolling interest [Member]

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Pre IPO [Member]

Common Class B [Member]

Common Class A [Member]

Common Class B [Member]

USD ($)

Common Class A [Member]

Common Class B [Member]

USD ($)

Post IPO [Member]

USD ($)

Post IPO [Member]

Common Class A [Member]

Common Class B [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2010

'

'

'

'

$87,339

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Member contributions

-30,531

'

'

'

30,531

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayments of member contributions

18,311

'

'

'

-18,311

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net (loss) income

-6,567

'

'

'

-6,567

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2011

'

'

'

'

92,992

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Member contributions

-41,005

'

'

'

41,005

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayments of member contributions

34,700

'

'

'

-34,700

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net (loss) income

3,018

'

'

'

3,018

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2012

102,315

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2012

102,315

'

'

'

102,315

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Member contributions

-37,512

'

'

'

37,512

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayments of member contributions

25,443

'

'

'

-25,443

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net (loss) income

-4,287

-2,078

'

'

'

-2,209

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,941

'

-137

'

'

Issuance of common of Common Class A (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,750,000

100

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance of common Class A Stock

'

'

105,454

0

'

'

'

78

'

'

105,376

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Allocation of Class B issuance to noncontrolling interest

'

'

'

112,175

'

'

-112,175

'

'

'

'

47,394

'

'

'

'

'

64,781

Changes in ownership of noncontrolling interest

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-60,899

'

'

'

'

60,899

'

'

'

Stock-based compensation expense

'

'

2,165

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,246

'

'

'

'

'

919

'

Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2013

$217,716

'

'

'

$0

'

'

$78

'

$93,117

'

'

($1,941)

'

$126,462

'

'

'

Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013

'

'

7,750,000

100

'

'

'

7,750,000

100

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating activities:	'	'	'
Net (loss) income	($4,287)	$3,018	($6,567)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	2,165	0	0
Abandonment charges	309	665	338
Impairment charges	0	0	5,184
Depreciation	271	147	36
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Real estate inventories	-45,137	735	-13,005
Receivables	-542	641	-883
Other assets	-236	29	-471
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	12,547	3,562	2,153
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-34,910	8,797	-13,215
Investing activities:	'	'	'
Purchases of fixed assets	-619	-712	-96
Net cash used in investing activities	-619	-712	-96
Financing activities:	'	'	'
Cash contributions from member	37,512	41,005	30,531
Repayments of member contributions	-25,443	-34,700	-18,311
Proceeds from debt	33,637	7,392	5,520
Repayment of debt	-38,452	-13,734	-3,787
Proceeds from IPO (net of offering costs)	105,454	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	112,708	-37	13,953
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	77,179	8,048	642
Cash and cash equivalents b beginning of period	10,324	2,276	1,634
Cash and cash equivalents b end of period	87,503	10,324	2,276
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'	'
Debt incurred to acquire real estate inventories	$6,653	$5,420	$5,276

DESCRIPTION_OF_BUSINESS_AND_NA

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS:	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS	'
	DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS:
	As used in this report, unless the context otherwise requires or indicates, references to “the Company,” and “UCP” refer (1) prior to the July 23, 2013 completion of the initial public offering of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share ( “Class A common stock”) of UCP, Inc. (the “IPO”) and related transactions, to UCP, LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries and (2) after the IPO and related transactions, to UCP, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries including UCP, LLC. UCP, Inc. had nominal assets and no liabilities, and conducted no operations prior to the completion of the Company’s IPO. Presentation of the historical results of UCP, Inc. would not be meaningful and accordingly the historical financial information prior to the IPO represents those of UCP, LLC.
	Business Description and Organizational Structure of the Company:
	Company’s Business
	The Company is a homebuilder and land developer with land acquisition and entitlement expertise in California and Washington State.
	Company’s History
	The Company’s operations began in 2004, and principally focused on acquiring land, entitling and developing it for residential construction, and selling residential lots to third-party homebuilders. In January 2008, the Company’s business was acquired by PICO Holdings, Inc. (“PICO”), a NASDAQ -listed, diversified holding company, which allowed the Company to accelerate the development of its business and gain access to a capital partner capable of funding its growth. In 2010, the Company formed Benchmark Communities, LLC, its wholly owned homebuilding subsidiary, to design, construct and sell high quality single-family homes.
	Company’s Reorganization and the IPO
	UCP, Inc. was incorporated in the State of Delaware on May 7, 2013 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of PICO for the purpose of facilitating the IPO and to become a holding company owning, as its principal asset, membership interests in UCP, LLC. UCP, LLC is a holding company for the entities that directly or indirectly own and operate the Company’s business. The net proceeds of $105.5 million from the IPO, were used by UCP, Inc. for acquiring the 42.3% ownership in UCP, LLC.
	As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company's capital structure was comprised solely of PICO's membership interests and the Company did not have any outstanding shares. During the years ended December 31, 2013 (prior to the completion of the IPO), 2012 and 2011, the Company received $37.5 million, $41.0 million and $30.5 million, respectively in contributions from PICO. As the Company generated excess cash, primarily from the sale of real estate inventories, it repaid $25.4 million, $34.7 million and $18.3 million of the contributions to PICO during the years ended December 31, 2013 (prior to the completion of the IPO), 2012 and 2011, respectively. Subsequent to the IPO, the Company has not received additional contributions from PICO or repaid any additional contributions to PICO, and does not anticipate receiving additional contributions from PICO or repaying any remaining contributions to PICO.
	Prior to the completion of the IPO, PICO allocated expenses to the Company for certain corporate services and other expenses. The material expenses allocated were payroll and benefits, which were allocated based on estimated time for the services provided. The service costs allocated included executive management, information technology, legal, finance and accounting, human resources, risk management, tax and treasury. The total amounts of the expense allocations from PICO to the Company for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 were $0.6 million, $1.2 million and $0.9 million, respectively. Of these expenses, $0.6 million, $0 and $0 were payable as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These expense allocations are primarily reflected within general and administrative expenses in the Company's consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income or loss. The Company's management believes the basis on which the expenses have been allocated is a reasonable reflection of the services and other benefits received by the Company during the periods presented, and that the financial statements reflect all of the costs of doing business related to the Company's operations, including expenses incurred by PICO on the Company's behalf.
	Upon completion of the IPO, UCP, Inc. issued 7,750,000 shares of Class A common stock (par value $0.01 per share) at a public offering price of $15.00 per share and received net proceeds of $105.5 million after deducting the underwriting discount, and other offering costs. UCP, Inc. invested these net proceeds into UCP, LLC and acquired UCP, LLC’s newly-issued Series B Units (as defined below), which represents a 42.3% economic interest in UCP, LLC; PICO, through its ownership of UCP, LLC Series A Units (as defined below), holds the remaining 57.7% economic interest in UCP, LLC.
	In connection with the IPO, UCP, LLC's Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement was amended and restated to, among other things, designate UCP, Inc. as the sole managing member of UCP, LLC and establish a new series of units (“UCP, LLC Series B Units”), are held solely by UCP, Inc., and reclassify PICO's units into 10,593,000 UCP, LLC Series A Units (the “UCP, LLC Series A Units”), which are held solely by PICO (and its permitted transferees). UCP, Inc. purchased 7,750,000 UCP, LLC Series B Units through its investment in UCP, LLC with the net proceeds from the IPO. The UCP, LLC Series B Units rank on a parity with the UCP, LLC Series A Units as to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, winding up or dissolution. Subsequent to the IPO and related transactions, as the sole managing member of UCP, LLC, UCP, Inc. operates and controls all of the business and affairs and consolidates the financial results of UCP, LLC and its subsidiaries.
	The amended and restated certificate of incorporation of UCP, Inc. authorizes two classes of common stock: Class A common stock, and Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class B common stock”). Shares of Class A common stock represent 100% of the economic rights of the holders of all classes of UCP, Inc.'s common stock. Shares of Class B common stock, which are held exclusively by PICO, are not entitled to any dividends paid by, or rights upon liquidation of, UCP, Inc. PICO holds 100 shares of Class B common stock of UCP, Inc., providing PICO with no economic rights but entitling PICO, without regard to the number of shares of Class B common stock held by PICO, to one vote on matters presented to stockholders of UCP, Inc. for each UCP, LLC Series A Unit held by PICO. Holders of the Company’s Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters presented to the Company’s stockholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise required by applicable law. As of July 23, 2013, PICO held 10,593,000 UCP, LLC Series A Units and 100 shares of Class B common stock, which provide PICO with 57.7% of the aggregate voting power of UCP, Inc.'s outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock, effectively providing PICO with control over the outcome of votes on all matters requiring approval by the Company’s stockholders.
	The Company's charter provides that its board of directors has the authority, without action by the stockholders, to designate and issue up to 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series and to fix for each class or series the powers, rights, preferences and privileges of each series of preferred stock, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any class or series, which may be greater than the rights of the holders of the Class A common stock or Class B common stock. The Company has no present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.
	Exchange Agreement
	In connection with the IPO, UCP, Inc. entered into an Exchange Agreement, pursuant to which PICO (and its permitted transferees) have the right to cause UCP, Inc. to exchange PICO's UCP, LLC Series A Units for shares of UCP, Inc. Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to equitable adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications. As of December 31, 2013, giving effect to the Class A common stock that the Company would issue if PICO were to elect to exchange all of its UCP, LLC Series A Units for shares of Class A common stock, the Company would have 18,343,000 shares of Class A common stock outstanding. In addition, in connection with the IPO, the Company issued an aggregate of 430,333 Class A restricted stock units to the members of its management team, other officers and employees and directors. These Class A restricted stock units vest at various points in time beginning December 31, 2013 through 2015, and the Company will issue Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis in connection with the vesting of each Class A restricted stock unit. Any UCP, LLC Series A Units being exchanged will be reclassified as UCP, LLC Series B Units in connection with such exchange. Exchanges by PICO of its UCP, LLC Series A Units for shares of UCP, Inc. Class A common stock are expected to result, with respect to UCP, Inc., in increases in the tax basis of the assets of UCP, LLC that otherwise would not have been available. These increases in tax basis may reduce the amount of tax that UCP, Inc. would otherwise be required to pay in the future. These increases in tax basis may also decrease gains (or increase losses) on future dispositions of certain assets to the extent tax basis is allocated to those assets.
	Tax Receivable Agreement
	In connection with the IPO, the Company entered into a tax receivable agreement (“TRA”) with PICO. When PICO sells or exchanges its UCP, LLC Series A Units for shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, such a sale or exchange by PICO would result in an adjustment to the tax basis of the assets owned by UCP, LLC at the time of an exchange. An increase in tax basis is expected to increase the depreciation and amortization income tax deductions and create other tax benefits and therefore may reduce the amount of income tax that the Company would otherwise be required to pay in the future. Under the TRA, the Company generally is required to pay to PICO 85% of the applicable cash savings in U.S. federal and state income tax that the Company actually realizes (or is deemed to realize in certain circumstances) as a result of sales or exchanges of the Series A units held by PICO for shares of Class A common stock, leaving the Company with 15% of the benefits of the tax savings. Cash savings in income tax will be computed by comparing the Company’s actual income tax liability to the amount of income taxes that the Company would have been required to pay had there been no increase in the tax basis of the tangible and intangible assets of UCP, LLC as a result of the exchanges. If the Company does not have taxable income in a given taxable year, no payment under the TRA for that taxable year is required because no tax savings will have been realized.
	As of December 31, 2013, PICO has not exchanged any of its UCP, LLC Series A Units. Estimating the amount of future payments to be made under the TRA cannot be done reliably at this time because any increase in tax basis, as well as the amount and timing of any payments will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
	•	the timing of any exchanges of UCP, LLC Series A Units for shares of the Company’s Class A common stock by PICO, as the increase in any tax deductions will vary depending on the allocation of fair market value to the assets of UCP, LLC at the time of any such exchanges, and this value allocation may fluctuate over time;
	•	the price of the Company’s Class A common stock at the time of any exchanges of UCP, LLC Series A Units for shares of the Company’s Class A common stock (since the increase in the Company’s share of the basis in the assets of UCP, LLC, as well as the corresponding increase in any tax deductions, will be related to the price of the Company’s Class A common stock at the time of any such exchanges);
	•	the tax rates in effect at the time the Company uses the increased amortization and depreciation deductions or realize other tax benefits; and
	•	the amount, character and timing of the Company’s taxable income.
	The effects of the TRA on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet if PICO elects to exchange all or a portion of its UCP, LLC Series A Units for the Company’s Class A common stock will be as follows:
	•	an increase in deferred tax assets for the estimated income tax effects of the increase in the tax basis of the assets owned by UCP, LLC based on enacted federal, state and local income tax rates at the date of the relevant transaction. To the extent the Company believes that it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize the full tax benefit represented by the deferred tax asset, the Company will reduce the deferred tax asset with a valuation allowance;
	•	the Company may record 85% of the applicable cash tax savings in U.S. federal and state income taxes resulting from the increase in the tax basis of the UCP, LLC Series A Units and certain other tax benefits related to entering into the TRA, including tax benefits attributable to payments under the TRA as an increase in a payable due to PICO; and
	•	an increase to additional paid-in capital equal to the difference between the increase in deferred tax assets and the increase in the liability due to PICO.
	The Company has the right to terminate the TRA at any time. In addition, the TRA will terminate early if the Company breaches obligations under the TRA or upon certain mergers, asset sales, other forms of business combinations or other changes of control. In either case, the Company’s payment obligations under the TRA would be accelerated and would become due and payable based on certain assumptions, including that (a) all the UCP, LLC Series A Units are deemed exchanged for their fair value, (b) the Company would have sufficient taxable income to fully utilize the deductions arising from the increased tax deductions and tax basis and (c) the subsidiaries of UCP, LLC will sell certain nonamortizable assets (and realize certain related tax benefits) no later than a specified date. In each of these instances, the Company would be required to make an immediate payment to PICO equal to the present value of the anticipated future tax benefits (discounted over the applicable amortization and depreciation periods for the assets the tax bases of which are stepped up (which could be as long as fifteen years in respect of intangibles and goodwill) at a discount rate equal to LIBOR plus 100 basis points). The benefits would be payable even though, in certain circumstances, no UCP, LLC Series A Units are actually exchanged at the time of the accelerated payment under the TRA, thereby resulting in no corresponding tax basis step up at the time of such accelerated payment under the TRA.
	Transition Services Agreement and Investor Rights Agreement
	UCP, Inc. also entered into a Transition Services Agreement (“TSA”) with PICO, pursuant to which PICO provides certain services to UCP, Inc., including, among other things, accounting, human resources and information technology services.
	Additionally, pursuant to an Investor Rights Agreement that UCP, Inc. entered into with PICO in connection with the IPO, PICO has the right to nominate two individuals for election to UCP, Inc.'s board of directors for as long as PICO owns 25% or more of the combined voting power of UCP, Inc.'s outstanding Class A and Class B common stock and one individual for as long as it owns at least 10% (in each case, excluding shares of any of UCP, Inc.'s common stock that are subject to issuance upon the exercise or exchange of rights of conversion or any options, warrants or other rights to acquire shares). However, the Investor Rights Agreement does not entitle PICO to nominate individuals for election to UCP, Inc.'s board of directors if their election would result in PICO nominees comprising more than two of UCP, Inc.'s directors (for as long as PICO owns 25% or more of the combined voting power of UCP, Inc.'s outstanding Class A and Class B common stock) or one of UCP, Inc.'s directors (for as long as PICO owns at least 10% of the combined voting power of UCP, Inc.'s outstanding Class A and Class B common stock).

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	'
	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned, majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries, and have been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). Inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The consolidated financial statements for the period prior to the completion of the Company’s IPO, which was completed on July 23, 2013, have been prepared on a stand-alone basis and have been derived from PICO’s consolidated financial statements and accounting records. These stand-alone financial statements have been prepared using the historical results of operations and assets and liabilities attributed to the Company’s operations.
	As an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, the Company intends to take advantage of certain temporary exemptions from various reporting requirements, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements. The Company could be an emerging growth company until the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of its IPO, although a variety of circumstances could cause it to lose that status earlier.
	Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements:
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for each reporting period. The significant estimates made in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements relate to the assessment of real estate impairments, warranty reserves, income taxes and contingent liabilities. While management believes that the carrying value of such assets and liabilities are appropriate as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, it is reasonably possible that actual results could differ from the estimates upon which the carrying values were based.
	Related Party Transactions:
	In connection with certain financings that occurred prior to the IPO, PICO agreed to indemnify the lenders for any losses they may suffer in connection with hazardous materials on certain financed properties. Those indemnities are provided in perpetuity.
	The Company is often required to provide performance bonds to governmental authorities and others to ensure the completion of its projects. PICO had guaranteed certain performance bonds with an aggregate amount of $10.3 million as of the IPO, but was released from those guarantees subsequent to the IPO. As of December 31, 2012, PICO had guaranteed certain performance bonds with an aggregate amount of $6.9 million. The Company does not expect PICO to provide additional guarantees, indemnities or any other forms of credit support.
	As described above, in connection with the IPO, the Company entered into the Exchange Agreement, Investor Rights Agreement, Transition Services Agreement and TRA with PICO. The Company also entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with PICO, with respect to the shares of its Class A common stock that it may receive in exchanges made pursuant to the Exchange Agreement. In connection with the IPO, the amendment and restatement of UCP, LLC's Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement was approved by PICO; the sole member of UCP, LLC prior to completion of the IPO.
	Under the TSA, the Company paid PICO $0.4 million for administrative support services for the year ended December 31, 2013. The agreement was not in effect during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.
	Segment Reporting:
	The Company determined that its operations are organized into two reportable segments: homebuilding and land development. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company considered similar economic and other characteristics, including product types, average selling prices, gross margins, production processes, suppliers, subcontractors, regulatory environments, land acquisition results and underlying supply and demand in determining its reportable segments.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents:
	Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid instruments purchased with original maturities of three months or less.
	Real Estate Inventories and Cost of Sales:
	The Company capitalizes pre-acquisition costs, the purchase price of real estate, development costs and other allocated costs, including interest, during development and home construction. Applicable costs incurred after development or construction is substantially complete are charged to sales and marketing or general and administrative as appropriate. Pre-acquisition costs, including non-refundable land deposits, are expensed to cost of sales when the Company determines continuation of the related project is not probable.
	Land, development and other common costs are typically allocated to real estate inventories using the relative-sales-value method. Direct home construction costs are recorded using the specific identification method. Cost of sales-homebuilding includes the allocation of construction costs of each home and all applicable land acquisition, real estate development and related common costs based upon the relative-sales-value of the home. Changes to estimated total development costs subsequent to initial home closings in a community are generally allocated on a relative-sales-value method to remaining homes in the community. Cost of sales-land development includes land acquisition and development costs, capitalized interest, impairment charges, abandonment charges for projects that are no longer economically viable, and real estate taxes. Abandonment charges during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, were $0.3 million, $0.7 million, and $0.3 million, respectively. Inventory is stated at cost, unless the carrying amount is determined not to be recoverable, in which case inventory is written down to fair value.
	All real estate inventories are classified as held until the Company commits to a plan to sell the real estate, the real estate can be sold in its present condition, is being actively marketed for sale, and it is probable that the real estate will be sold within the next twelve months. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had real estate inventories of $8.6 million and $2.9 million, respectively, classified as held for sale.
	Impairment of Real Estate Inventories:
	The Company records an impairment loss when conditions exist where the carrying amount of real estate is not fully recoverable and exceeds its fair value. Indicators of impairment include, but are not limited to, significant decreases in local housing market values and selling prices of comparable homes, significant decreases in gross margins and sales absorption rates, costs in excess of budget, and actual or projected cash flow losses. The Company prepares and analyzes cash flows at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets.
	If events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired, such impairment will be measured based upon the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of such assets determined using the estimated future discounted cash flows, excluding interest charges, generated from the use and ultimate disposition of the respective real estate inventories. Such losses, if any, are reported within cost of sales. No such losses were recorded during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company recorded $5.2 million in impairment charges related to its land development segment.
	When estimating undiscounted future cash flows of its real estate assets, the Company makes various assumptions, including: (i) expected sales prices and sales incentives to be offered, including the number of homes available on the market, pricing and incentives being offered by it or other builders in other communities, and future sales price adjustments based on market and economic trends; (ii) expected sales pace and cancellation rates based on local housing market conditions, competition and historical trends; (iii) costs incurred to date and expected to be incurred, including, but not limited to, land and land development costs, home construction costs, interest costs, indirect construction costs, and selling and marketing costs; (iv) alternative product offerings that may be offered that could have an impact on sales pace, sales price and/or building costs; and (v) alternative uses for the property. As of December 31, 2013, the Company did not have any real estate assets for which the estimated undiscounted future cash flows were not in excess of their carrying values.
	Capitalization of Interest:
	The Company capitalizes interest to real estate inventories during the period of development. Interest capitalized as a cost of real estate inventories is included in cost of sales-homebuilding or cost of sales-land development as related homes or real estate are sold. To the extent the Company’s debt exceeds the related asset under development, the Company expenses that portion of the interest incurred. Qualifying assets include projects that are actively selling or under development.
	Fixed Assets, Net:
	Fixed assets are carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation.  Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.  Computer software and hardware are depreciated over three years, office furniture and fixtures are depreciated over seven years, vehicles are depreciated over five years and leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their useful life or lease term and range from one to three years.  Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, while significant improvements are capitalized.  Depreciation expense is included in general and administrative expenses, and gains or losses on the sale of fixed assets are included in other income.
	Receivables:
	Receivables include amounts due from buyers for homes sold and from utility companies for reimbursement of costs. At December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company had no allowance for doubtful accounts recorded.
	Other Assets:
	The detail of other assets is set forth below (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-12
	Customer deposits in escrow	$	350		$	388
	Prepaid expenses	441			207
	Other deposits	365			325
		$	1,156		$	920
	Homebuilding and Land Development Sales and Profit Recognition:
	In accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Codification Topic 360 (“ASC Topic 360”), Property, Plant, and Equipment, revenue from home sales and other real estate sales are recorded and any profit is recognized when the respective sales are closed. Sales are closed when all conditions of escrow are met, title passes to the buyer, appropriate consideration is received and collection of associated receivables, if any, is reasonably assured and the Company has no continuing involvement. The Company does not offer financing to any buyers. Sales price incentives are accounted for as a reduction of revenues when the sale is recorded. If the earnings process is not complete, the sale and any related profits are deferred for recognition in future periods. Any profit recorded is based on the calculation of cost of sales, which is dependent on an allocation of costs.
	Stock-Based Compensation:
	Stock- based compensation expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the period in which the awards vest in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. The Company has issued 430,333 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) under its 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”). See Note 9 for a description of the RSUs and the LTIP.
	Warranty Reserves:
	Estimated future direct warranty costs are accrued and charged to cost of sales-homebuilding in the period in which the related homebuilding revenue is recognized. Amounts accrued are based upon estimates of the amount the Company expects to pay for warranty work. The Company assesses the adequacy of its warranty reserves on a quarterly basis and adjusts the amounts recorded, if necessary. Warranty reserves are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	Changes in warranty reserves are detailed in the table set forth below (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-12
	Warranty reserves, beginning of period	$	141		$	102
	Warranty reserves accrued	487			51
	Warranty expenditures	(20		)	(12		)
	Warranty reserves, end of period	$	608		$	141
	Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities:
	The Company enters into purchase and option agreements for the purchase of real estate as part of the normal course of business. These purchase and option agreements enable the Company to acquire real estate at one or more future dates at pre-determined prices. The Company believes these acquisition structures reduce its financial risk associated with real estate acquisitions and holdings and allow the Company to better manage its cash position.
	Based on the provisions of the relevant accounting guidance, the Company concluded that when it enters into a purchase agreement to acquire real estate from an entity, a variable interest entity (“VIE”), may be created. The Company evaluates all option and purchase agreements for real estate to determine whether they are a VIE. The applicable accounting guidance requires that for each VIE, the Company assess whether it is the primary beneficiary and, if it is, the Company consolidates the VIE in its consolidated financial statements in accordance with ASC Topic 810 - Consolidations, and would reflect such assets and liabilities as “Real estate inventories not owned.”
	In order to determine if the Company is the primary beneficiary, it must first assess whether it has the ability to control the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance. Such activities include, but are not limited to, the ability to determine the budget and scope of land development work, if any; the ability to control financing decisions for the VIE; the ability to acquire additional land into the VIE or dispose of land in the VIE not under contract with us; and the ability to change or amend the existing option contract with the VIE. If the Company is not determined to control such activities, the Company is not considered the primary beneficiary of the VIE. If the Company does have the ability to control such activities, the Company will continue its analysis by determining if it is also expected to absorb a potentially significant amount of the VIE’s losses or, if no party absorbs the majority of such losses, if the Company will benefit from a potentially significant amount of the VIE’s expected gains.
	In substantially all cases, creditors of the entities with which the Company have option agreements have no recourse against the Company and the maximum exposure to loss on the applicable option or purchase agreements is limited to non-refundable option deposits and any capitalized pre-acquisition costs. Some of the Company’s option or purchase deposits may be refundable to the Company if certain contractual conditions are not performed by the party selling the lots. The Company did not consolidate any VIE at December 31, 2013 or 2012.
	Price Participation Interests:
	Certain land purchase contracts and other agreements include provisions for additional payments to the land sellers. These additional payments are contingent on certain future outcomes, such as, selling homes above a certain preset price or achieving an internal rate of return above a certain preset level. These additional payments, if triggered, are accounted for as cost of sale, when they become due, however, they are neither fully determinable, nor due, until the transfer of title to the buyer is complete. Accordingly, no liability is recorded until the sale is complete.
	Income Taxes:
	The Company’s provision for income tax expense includes federal and state income taxes currently payable and those deferred because of temporary differences between the income tax and financial reporting bases of the assets and liabilities.  The liability method of accounting for income taxes also requires the Company to reflect the effect of a tax rate change on accumulated deferred income taxes in income in the period in which the change is enacted.
	In assessing the realization of deferred income taxes, the Company considered whether it is more likely than not that any deferred income tax assets will be realized.  The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of sufficient future taxable income during the period in which temporary differences become deductible.  If it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded. The Company considered many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization of its deferred tax assets, including recent cumulative earnings experience by taxing jurisdiction, expectations of future transactions, the carryforward periods available to the Company for tax reporting purposes and availability of tax planning strategies. These assumptions require significant judgment about future events. These judgments are consistent with the plans and estimates that the Company uses to manage the underlying businesses.   In evaluating the objective evidence that historical results provide, the Company considered three years of cumulative operating income or loss of UCP LLC.
	As a result of the analysis of all available evidence as of December 31, 2013, the Company recorded a full valuation allowance on its net deferred tax assets.  Consequently, the Company reported no income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2013. If the Company’s assumptions change and the Company believes it will be able to realize these deferred tax assets, the tax benefits relating to any reversal of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets will be recognized as a reduction of income tax expense.  If the assumptions do not change, each period the Company could record an additional valuation allowance on any increases in the deferred tax assets.
	The Company recognizes any uncertain income tax positions on income tax returns at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority.  An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized unless it has a greater than 50% likelihood of being sustained. The Company recognizes any interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.
	The Company prior to the IPO was a limited liability company which was treated as an entity that was disregarded from its owner for income tax purposes and was subject to certain minimal taxes and fees. However, income taxes on taxable income or losses realized by the Company were the obligation of PICO.
	Noncontrolling Interest:
The Company reports the share of the results of operations that are attributable to other owners of its consolidated subsidiaries that are less than wholly-owned, as noncontrolling interest in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  In the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income or loss, the income or loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest is reported separately, and the accumulated income or loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest, along with any changes in ownership or adjustments of the subsidiary, is reported as a component of total equity.  For the year ended December 31, 2013, the noncontrolling interest reported in the consolidated financial statements includes PICO’s share of 100% of the loss related to UCP, LLC prior to the completion of the IPO, and 57.7% of UCP, LLC’s loss subsequent to the completion of the IPO - see Note 12.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards:
Other than as described below, no new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during the fiscal year has had or is expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. The amendment requires that an unrecognized tax benefit be presented in financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. If an applicable deferred tax asset is not available or a company does not expect to use the applicable deferred tax asset, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability in the financial statements and should not be combined with an unrelated deferred tax asset. The amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The amendments should be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date; however, retrospective application is permitted. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-04, Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation is Fixed at the Reporting Date. The standard provides guidance on the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this update is fixed at the reporting date, except for obligations addressed within existing guidance in U.S. GAAP. This update is effective for reporting periods after December 15, 2013. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this standard will have on the consolidated financial statements.
In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance that requires the presentation of comprehensive income to report the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both cases, the Company is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. The revised guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, applied on a prospective basis. The Company conformed to the presentation, which did not have a material impact on the presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

Earnings_Loss_per_share

Earnings (Loss) per share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings (Loss) per share	'
	Earnings (Loss) per share
	Basic earnings (loss) per share of Class A common stock is computed by dividing net income/(loss) attributable to UCP, Inc. earnings by the weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share of Class A common stock is computed similarly to basic earnings or loss per share except the weighted average shares outstanding are increased to include additional shares from the assumed exercise of any Class A common stock equivalents using the treasury method, if dilutive. The Company’s RSUs are considered Class A common stock equivalents for this purpose.
	All losses prior to and up to the IPO were entirely allocable to noncontrolling interest. Consequently, only the loss allocable to UCP, Inc. from the period subsequent to the IPO is included in the net loss attributable to the stockholders of Class A common stock for the year ended December 31, 2013. Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share of Class A common stock from IPO to December 31, 2013 have been computed as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
		IPO to December 31, 2013
	Numerator
	Net loss attributable to UCP, Inc.	$	(1,941	)
	Denominator
	Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding - basic and diluted	7,750,000
	Net loss per share of Class A common stock - basic and diluted	$	(0.25	)

Real_Estate_Inventories

Real Estate Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Real Estate [Abstract]	'
Real Estate Inventories	'
	Real Estate Inventories
	Real estate inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-12
	Deposits and pre-acquisition costs	$	4,517		$	2,177
	Land held and land under development	117,808			110,463
	Homes completed or under construction	46,639			9,441
	Model homes	7,884			3,286
		$	176,848		$	125,367
	Model homes and homes completed or under construction include all costs associated with home construction, including land, development, indirect costs, permits and fees, and vertical construction. Land under development includes costs incurred during site development, such as land, development, indirect costs and permits. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had $3.7 million of deposits pertaining to land purchase contracts for 1,350 lots with an aggregate purchase price of approximately $87.9 million, net of deposits. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had $1.5 million of deposits pertaining to land purchase contracts for 258 lots with an aggregate remaining purchase price of approximately $20.1 million, net of deposits.
	Interest Capitalization
	Interest is capitalized on real estate inventories during development. Interest capitalized is included in cost of sales as related sales are recognized. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, interest incurred of $2.9 million, $1.9 million, and $1.7 million, respectively, was capitalized in each respective period. Amounts capitalized to home inventory and land inventory were as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Interest expense capitalized as cost of home inventory	$	2,259		$	369		$	68
	Interest expense capitalized as cost of land inventory	642			1,580			1,649
	Total interest expense capitalized	2,901			1,949			1,717
	Previously capitalized interest expense included in cost of sales - homebuilding	(1,174		)	(122		)	(35		)
	Previously capitalized interest expense included in cost of sales - land development	(9		)	(638		)	(476		)
	Net activity of capitalized interest	1,718			1,189			1,206
	Capitalized interest expense in beginning inventory	4,620			3,431			2,225
	Capitalized interest expense in ending inventory	$	6,338		$	4,620		$	3,431

Fixed_Assets_Net

Fixed Assets, Net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Fixed Assets, net	'
	Fixed Assets, Net
	Fixed assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-12
	Computer hardware and software	$	1,118		$	667
	Office furniture and equipment and leasehold improvements	337			169
	Vehicles	79			79
		1,534			915
	Accumulated depreciation	(506		)	(235		)
	Fixed assets, net	$	1,028		$	680
	Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011was $271,000, $147,000 and $36,000, respectively, and is recorded in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income or loss.

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_L

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	'
	Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13		31-Dec-12
	Accrued expenses	$	14,162	$	4,084
	Accounts payable	2,118		1,179
	Accrued payroll liabilities	1,766		703
	Warranty reserves (Note 2)	608		141
		$	18,654	$	6,107

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Debt
	The Company enters into acquisition, development and construction debt agreements to purchase and develop real estate inventories and for the construction of homes, which are secured primarily by the underlying real estate. Certain of the loans are funded in full at the initial loan closing and others are revolving facilities under which the Company may borrow, repay and redraw up to a specified amount during the term of the loan. Acquisition debts are due at various dates but are generally repaid when lots are released from the loans based upon a specific release price, as defined in each respective loan agreement, or the loans are refinanced at current prevailing rates. The construction and development debt is required to be repaid with proceeds from home closings based upon a specific release price, as defined in each respective loan agreement. Certain of the construction and development debt agreements include provisions that require minimum loan-to-value ratios. During the term of the loan, the lender may require the Company to obtain a third-party written appraisal of the underlying real estate collateral. If the appraised fair value of the collateral securing the loan is below the specified minimum, the Company may be required to make principal payments in order to maintain the required loan-to-value ratios. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the lenders have not requested, and the Company has not obtained, any such appraisals. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had approximately $56.4 million of aggregate loan commitments of which approximately $25.4 million was unused. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the weighted average interest rate on the Company’s outstanding debt was 4.7% and 6.7%, respectively. Interest rates charged under variable rate debt are based on either a prime rate index plus 1.75% or LIBOR plus 3.75% to 4.0%.
	Debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13		31-Dec-12
	Acquisition Debt:
	Variable Interest Rate:
	Interest rate of 3.94% to 4.5%, payments due through 2013	$	—	$	5,551
	Interest rate of 3.94% to 4.19%, payments due through 2014	1,830		—
	Interest rate of 3.94%, payments due through 2015	1,591		—
	Fixed Interest Rate:
	Interest rate of 5%, payments due through 2014	425		425
	Interest rate of 5%, payments due through 2015	5,048		—
	Interest rate of 6%, payments due through 2014	—		4,136
	Interest rate of 6.5%, payments due through 2036	548		558
	Interest rate of 10%, payments due through 2014	1,604		1,604
	Total acquisition debt	11,046		12,274
	Construction and Development Debt:
	Variable Interest Rate:
	Interest rate of 3.94%, payments due through 2014	1,705		—
	Interest rate of 3.94%, payments due through 2015	12,181		—
	Interest rate of 5%, payments due through 2015	6,018		—
	Fixed Interest Rate:
	Interest rate of 6%, payments due through 2014	—		10,838
	Interest rate of 10%, payments due through 2014	—		6,000
	Total construction and development debt	19,904		16,838
	Total debt	$	30,950	$	29,112
	The Company's future minimum debt repayments are as follows (in thousands):
	Year ending December 31,
	2014	$	5,565
	2015	24,837
	2016 -2018	—
	Thereafter	548
	Total	$	30,950

Fair_Value_Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Disclosure	'
	Fair Value Disclosures
	The accounting guidance regarding fair value disclosures defines fair value as the price that would be received for selling an asset or the price paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
	The Company determines the fair values of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy established in accordance with ASC Topic 820 - Fair Value Measurements, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The classification of a financial asset or liability within the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three levels that may be used to measure fair value:
	•Level 1—Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets
	•Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are inactive; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets at measurement date
	•Level 3—Valuations derived from techniques where one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable in active markets at measurement date
	Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value:
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and receivable approximated their carrying values because of the short-term nature of these assets or liabilities. The estimated fair value of the Company’s debt is based on cash flow models discounted at current market interest rates for similar instruments, which are based on Level 3 inputs. There were no transfers between fair value hierarchy levels during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.
	The following presents the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s financial instruments which are not carried at fair value (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13				31-Dec-12
		Carrying		Estimated Fair		Carrying		Estimated Fair
		Amount		Value		Amount		Value
	Financial liabilities:
	Debt	$	30,950	$	32,044	$	29,112	$	28,184
	Non-Financial Fair Value Measurements:
	Non-financial assets and liabilities include items such as inventory and long lived assets that are measured at fair value when acquired and resulting from impairment, if deemed necessary. There were no non-financial fair value measurements during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Stock_Based_Compensation

Stock Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock Based Compensation
	The LTIP was adopted in July 2013 and provides for the grant of equity-based awards, including options to purchase shares of Class A common stock, Class A stock appreciation rights, Class A restricted stock, Class A restricted stock units and performance awards. The LTIP will automatically expire on the tenth anniversary of its effective date. The Company’s board of directors may terminate or amend the LTIP at any time, subject to any stockholder approval required by applicable law, rule or regulation.
	The number of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock that may be issued under the LTIP is 1,834,300 shares. To the extent that shares of the Company’s Class A common stock subject to an outstanding option, stock appreciation right, stock award or performance award granted under the LTIP are not issued or delivered by reason of the expiration, termination, cancellation or forfeiture of such award or the settlement of such award in cash, then such shares of the Company’s Class A common stock generally shall again be available under the LTIP, subject to certain exceptions.
	On July 23, 2013, the Company granted an aggregate of 430,333 RSUs under the LTIP to certain of its employees and members of its board of directors. The RSUs granted to the Company’s employees are subject to the following vesting schedule: a) one-third vested on December 31, 2013, b) one-third will vest on the first anniversary of the grant date and c) one-third will vest on the second anniversary of the grant date. The RSUs granted to certain members of the Company’s board of directors will vest on the first anniversary of the grant date. 140,778 RSUs vested during the year ended December 31, 2013. No RSUs were forfeited during the year ended December 31, 2013. The grant-date fair value of the equity based incentive units granted during the period ended December 31, 2013 was $6.5 million.
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recognized $2.2 million as stock based compensation expense, which is included in general and administrative expense. No stock based compensation awards were outstanding during 2012 and 2011, accordingly, no stock based compensation expense was recognized during 2012 and 2011.
	A summary of RSU activity is as follows:
		RSU
	Outstanding and unvested at January 1, 2013	—
	Granted	430,333
	Vested	(140,778	)
	Outstanding and unvested at December 31, 2013	289,555

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes:
	The Company was incorporated in the State of Delaware during May 2013 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of PICO for the purpose of facilitating the IPO, which became effective in July 2013, and to become a holding company owning, as its principal asset, membership interests in UCP, LLC. UCP, LLC is a holding company for the entities that directly or indirectly own and operate the Company’s business. Given that the Company was in its first year of operation during the period ended December 31, 2013, income tax disclosures relating to prior years were omitted because prior to July 2013 UCP, LLC was a "disregarded entity" for federal and state income tax purposes.
	Because of the Company's current year loss and the full valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets, there was no provision for federal or state income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	A reconciliation of income tax computed at the statutory federal income tax rate to the provision (benefit) for income taxes included in the accompanying statements of operations and comprehensive income or loss is as follows for the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		2013
	Income tax (benefit) provision at federal statutory rate	(35	)%
	State income tax, net of federal benefit	(2	)%
	Non-benefited losses from valuation allowance	17	%
	Noncontrolling interest	19	%
	Other permanent items	1	%
	Effective tax rate	—	%
	Total deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss carry forwards	$	1,689
	Outside basis difference in partnership	5,061
	Valuation allowance	(6,750		)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	—
	The Company had deferred tax assets of approximately $6.8 million at December 31, 2013 relating principally to net operating losses and the deductible temporary differences attributable to the Company’s investment in UCP, LLC. In assessing the recoverability of deferred tax assets, Management considers whether it is more likely than not that the assets will be realized.  The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of sufficient future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.
	The Company has considered the following possible sources of taxable income when assessing the realization of its deferred tax assets: (1) future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences; (2) taxable income in prior carryback years; (3) future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards; and (4) tax planning strategies. Based upon the assessment of these possible sources of taxable income, there is not sufficient positive evidence to enable the Company to conclude that the benefits of its deferred tax assets will be realized. Therefore, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2013.
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of approximately $6.8 million. The Company will continue to assess the recoverability of its deferred tax assets and the need for a valuation allowance on an ongoing basis. In making this assessment, management is required to consider all available positive and negative evidence to determine, whether, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized in future periods.
	At December 31, 2013, the Company had net operating loss carry-forwards of approximately $4.1 million for federal and $4.1 million for California. The net operating loss carry-forwards, if not utilized, will begin to expire in 2033 for both federal and California purposes.
	Measurement of uncertain tax positions is based on judgment regarding the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon the ultimate settlement with a taxing authority. As a result of the implementation of this guidance, the Company has not identified any uncertain tax positions and accordingly, has no unrecognized tax benefits as of the tax year ended December 31, 2013.
	The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. There were no accrued interest or penalties associated with any unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2013.
	The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and various state jurisdictions. There are no ongoing examinations by taxing authorities at this time.  As the tax year ended December 31, 2013 is the first tax year of the Company, there is no open tax year in any jurisdiction.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	The Company’s operations are organized into two reportable segments: homebuilding and land development. The Company’s homebuilding operations construct and sell single-family homes, primarily in California. The homebuilding segment includes real estate of similar economic characteristics, including similar historical and expected future long-term gross margin percentages, similar product types, production processes and methods of distribution. The land development operations develop and sell lots, primarily in California, and include real estate of similar economic characteristics, including similar historical and expected future long-term gross margin percentages, similar product types, production processes and methods of distribution. The reportable segments follow the same accounting policies as the consolidated financial statements described in Note 2. Operating results of each reportable segment are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have been achieved had the reportable segment been an independent, stand-alone entity during the periods presented.
	Financial information relating to reportable segments is as follows (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-12
	Assets
	Homebuilding	$	108,594		$	31,427
	Land development	68,254			93,940
	Corporate and other assets	90,472			12,167
	Total	$	267,320		$	137,534
	Corporate and Other Assets primarily include cash and cash equivalents which are maintained centrally and used according to the cash flow requirements of each of the two segments. The increase in cash and cash equivalents was a result of proceeds from the completion of the IPO.
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012		2011
	Revenue
	Homebuilding	$	72,511		$	14,060	$	8,285
	Land development	20,215			44,066		15,893
	Total	92,726			58,126		24,178
	Gross margin
	Homebuilding	15,011			4,228		2,664
	Land development	6,395			11,190		(1,387		)
	Total	21,406			15,418		1,277
	Sales and marketing	6,647			2,875		1,414
	General and administrative	19,368			10,103		6,464
	Other income	322			578		34
	Net (loss) income	$	(4,287	)	$	3,018	$	(6,567	)
	The Company evaluates the performance of the operating segments based upon gross margin. “Gross Margin” is defined as operating revenues (homebuilding and land development) less cost of sales (cost of construction and acquisition, interest, abandonment, impairment and other cost of sales related expenses). Corporate sales, general and administrative expense and other non-recurring gains or losses are reflected within overall corporate expenses as this constitutes the Company’s primary business objective supporting both segments; corporate expenses are not particularly identifiable to any one segment.. There is no intersegment activity.

Noncontrolling_Interest

Noncontrolling Interest	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'
Noncontrolling Interest	'
	Noncontrolling interest
	Prior to the completion of its IPO and related transactions on July 23, 2013, UCP, LLC was a wholly owned subsidiary of PICO. Subsequent to the IPO and related transaction, the Company holds a 42.3% economic interest in UCP, LLC and is its sole managing member; UCP, LLC is fully consolidated. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, these transactions are accounted for at historical cost which resulted in recording an initial carrying value for the noncontrolling interest of $125.7 million and a $782,000 increase in members’ equity during the year ended December 31, 2013.
	The initial carrying value and ending balance at December 31, 2013 of the noncontrolling interest was calculated as follows (in thousands):
	Carrying value of UCP, LLC (includes net proceeds for exchange of UCP, LLC Series B Units)	$	217,816
	Voting ownership percentage of noncontrolling interest	57.7		%
	Initial carrying value of noncontrolling interest	125,680
	Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(137		)
	Stock-based compensation related to noncontrolling interest	919
	Ending balance of noncontrolling interest at December 31, 2013	$	126,462
	For details of IPO and related transactions and its subsequent impact, and the Company’s TSA and TRA with PICO, please refer to Note 1.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Lawsuits, claims and proceedings have been or may be instituted or asserted against the Company in the normal course of business, including actions brought on behalf of various classes of claimants. The Company is also subject to local, state and federal laws and regulations related to land development activities, house construction standards, sales practices, employment practices and environmental protection. As a result, the Company is subject to periodic examinations or inquiries by agencies administering these laws and regulations.
	The Company records a reserve for potential legal claims and regulatory matters when they are probable of occurring and a potential loss is reasonably estimable. The accrual for these matters is based on facts and circumstances specific to each matter and the Company revises these estimates when necessary.
	In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting outcomes of legal claims and related contingencies, the Company generally cannot predict their ultimate resolution, related timing or any eventual loss. If the evaluations indicate loss contingencies that could be material are not probable, but are reasonably possible, disclosure of the nature with an estimate of possible range of losses or a statement that such loss is not reasonably estimable is made. The Company is not involved in any material litigation nor, to the Company's knowledge, is any material litigation threatened against it. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company did not have any accruals for asserted or unasserted matters.
	The Company obtains surety bonds in the normal course of business to ensure completion of certain infrastructure improvements at its projects. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had outstanding surety bonds totaling $10.3 million and $6.9 million, respectively. The beneficiaries of the bonds are various municipalities. In the event that any such surety bond issued by a third party is called because the required improvements are not completed, the Company could be obligated to reimburse the issuer of the bond.
	The Company leases some of its offices under non-cancelable operating leases that expire at various dates through 2019.  Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, for office space was $541,000, $270,000, and $246,000, respectively.
	Future minimum payments under all operating leases for the years ending December 31 are as follows (in thousands):
	2014	$	809
	2015	756
	2016	520
	2017	507
	2018	492
	Thereafter	69
	Total	$	3,153

Employee_Benefits

Employee Benefits	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefits	'
	Employee Benefits
	Incentive Compensation Plan
	Certain employees of the Company are eligible to receive an annual incentive compensation award based various performance measures. The incentive compensation plan is discretionary.  For the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 compensation of $0.9 million and $0.2 million was earned under this plan, respectively. No compensation under the plan was earned in 2011. The 2013 and 2012 incentive compensation was paid in cash. The incentive award is recorded within general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
	Employee Benefits
	The Company maintains a 401(k) defined contribution plan, sponsored by PICO, covering substantially all employees of the Company.  Matching contributions are based on a percentage of employee compensation.  In addition, the Company may make a discretionary profit sharing contribution at the end of the fiscal year within limits established by the Employee Retirement Income Securities Act.  Total contribution expense to the plan for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $403,000, $305,000 and $189,000, respectively.

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	'
	Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
	The following tables presents certain unaudited consolidated quarterly financial information for each of the eight fiscal quarters in the period ended December 31, 2013.  This quarterly information has been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the information for the periods presented.  The results for these quarterly periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for a full year or any future period.
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2013			2013			2013
		(Unaudited)
		(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
	Homebuilding revenue	$	4,333		$	20,907		$	21,369		$	25,902
	Land development revenue	7,470			6,815			2,250			3,680
	Total revenue	11,803			27,722			23,619			29,582
	Gross margin – homebuilding	873			4,425			4,811			4,902
	Gross margin – land development	2,890			1,679			817			1,009
	Gross margin	3,763			6,104			5,628			5,911
	Sales and marketing expenses	1,132			2,099			1,516			1,900
	General and administrative expenses	3,480			5,326			4,503			6,059
	Total expenses	4,612			7,425			6,019			7,959
	Other income	39			224			55			4
	Net loss	$	(810	)	$	(1,097	)	$	(336	)	$	(2,044	)
	Net loss attributable to stockholders	$	—		$	—		$	(15	)	$	(1,926	)
	Net loss per common share:
	Basic and diluted	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(0.25	)
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar-12			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
					2012			2012			2012
		(Unaudited)
		(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
	Homebuilding revenue	$	1,533		$	1,435		$	1,356		$	9,736
	Land development revenue	2,002			—			21,945			20,119
	Total revenue	3,535			1,435			23,301			29,855
	Gross margin – homebuilding	471			378			368			3,011
	Gross margin – land development	653			(9		)	5,325			5,221
	Gross margin	1,124			369			5,693			8,232
	Sales and marketing expenses	221			238			873			1,543
	General and administrative expenses	2,208			2,386			2,481			3,028
	Total expenses	2,429			2,624			3,354			4,571
	Other income	208			93			227			50
	Net (loss) income	$	(1,097	)	$	(2,162	)	$	2,566		$	3,711
	Net (loss) income attributable to stockholders	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Net (loss) income per common share:
	Basic and diluted	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT1

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned, majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries, and have been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). Inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The consolidated financial statements for the period prior to the completion of the Company’s IPO, which was completed on July 23, 2013, have been prepared on a stand-alone basis and have been derived from PICO’s consolidated financial statements and accounting records. These stand-alone financial statements have been prepared using the historical results of operations and assets and liabilities attributed to the Company’s operations.
	As an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, the Company intends to take advantage of certain temporary exemptions from various reporting requirements, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements. The Company could be an emerging growth company until the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of its IPO, although a variety of circumstances could cause it to lose that status earlier.
Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements	'
	Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements:
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for each reporting period. The significant estimates made in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements relate to the assessment of real estate impairments, warranty reserves, income taxes and contingent liabilities. While management believes that the carrying value of such assets and liabilities are appropriate as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, it is reasonably possible that actual results could differ from the estimates upon which the carrying values were based.
Related Party Transactions	'
	Related Party Transactions:
	In connection with certain financings that occurred prior to the IPO, PICO agreed to indemnify the lenders for any losses they may suffer in connection with hazardous materials on certain financed properties. Those indemnities are provided in perpetuity.
	The Company is often required to provide performance bonds to governmental authorities and others to ensure the completion of its projects. PICO had guaranteed certain performance bonds with an aggregate amount of $10.3 million as of the IPO, but was released from those guarantees subsequent to the IPO. As of December 31, 2012, PICO had guaranteed certain performance bonds with an aggregate amount of $6.9 million. The Company does not expect PICO to provide additional guarantees, indemnities or any other forms of credit support.
	As described above, in connection with the IPO, the Company entered into the Exchange Agreement, Investor Rights Agreement, Transition Services Agreement and TRA with PICO. The Company also entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with PICO, with respect to the shares of its Class A common stock that it may receive in exchanges made pursuant to the Exchange Agreement. In connection with the IPO, the amendment and restatement of UCP, LLC's Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement was approved by PICO; the sole member of UCP, LLC prior to completion of the IPO.
Segment Reporting	'
	Segment Reporting:
	The Company determined that its operations are organized into two reportable segments: homebuilding and land development. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company considered similar economic and other characteristics, including product types, average selling prices, gross margins, production processes, suppliers, subcontractors, regulatory environments, land acquisition results and underlying supply and demand in determining its reportable segments.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents:
	Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid instruments purchased with original maturities of three months or less.
Real Estate Inventories and Cost of Sales	'
	Real Estate Inventories and Cost of Sales:
	The Company capitalizes pre-acquisition costs, the purchase price of real estate, development costs and other allocated costs, including interest, during development and home construction. Applicable costs incurred after development or construction is substantially complete are charged to sales and marketing or general and administrative as appropriate. Pre-acquisition costs, including non-refundable land deposits, are expensed to cost of sales when the Company determines continuation of the related project is not probable.
	Land, development and other common costs are typically allocated to real estate inventories using the relative-sales-value method. Direct home construction costs are recorded using the specific identification method. Cost of sales-homebuilding includes the allocation of construction costs of each home and all applicable land acquisition, real estate development and related common costs based upon the relative-sales-value of the home. Changes to estimated total development costs subsequent to initial home closings in a community are generally allocated on a relative-sales-value method to remaining homes in the community. Cost of sales-land development includes land acquisition and development costs, capitalized interest, impairment charges, abandonment charges for projects that are no longer economically viable, and real estate taxes. Abandonment charges during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, were $0.3 million, $0.7 million, and $0.3 million, respectively. Inventory is stated at cost, unless the carrying amount is determined not to be recoverable, in which case inventory is written down to fair value.
	All real estate inventories are classified as held until the Company commits to a plan to sell the real estate, the real estate can be sold in its present condition, is being actively marketed for sale, and it is probable that the real estate will be sold within the next twelve months. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had real estate inventories of $8.6 million and $2.9 million, respectively, classified as held for sale.
Impairment of Real Estate Inventories	'
	Impairment of Real Estate Inventories:
	The Company records an impairment loss when conditions exist where the carrying amount of real estate is not fully recoverable and exceeds its fair value. Indicators of impairment include, but are not limited to, significant decreases in local housing market values and selling prices of comparable homes, significant decreases in gross margins and sales absorption rates, costs in excess of budget, and actual or projected cash flow losses. The Company prepares and analyzes cash flows at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets.
	If events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired, such impairment will be measured based upon the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of such assets determined using the estimated future discounted cash flows, excluding interest charges, generated from the use and ultimate disposition of the respective real estate inventories. Such losses, if any, are reported within cost of sales. No such losses were recorded during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company recorded $5.2 million in impairment charges related to its land development segment.
	When estimating undiscounted future cash flows of its real estate assets, the Company makes various assumptions, including: (i) expected sales prices and sales incentives to be offered, including the number of homes available on the market, pricing and incentives being offered by it or other builders in other communities, and future sales price adjustments based on market and economic trends; (ii) expected sales pace and cancellation rates based on local housing market conditions, competition and historical trends; (iii) costs incurred to date and expected to be incurred, including, but not limited to, land and land development costs, home construction costs, interest costs, indirect construction costs, and selling and marketing costs; (iv) alternative product offerings that may be offered that could have an impact on sales pace, sales price and/or building costs; and (v) alternative uses for the property. As of December 31, 2013, the Company did not have any real estate assets for which the estimated undiscounted future cash flows were not in excess of their carrying values.
Capitalization of Interest	'
	Capitalization of Interest:
	The Company capitalizes interest to real estate inventories during the period of development. Interest capitalized as a cost of real estate inventories is included in cost of sales-homebuilding or cost of sales-land development as related homes or real estate are sold. To the extent the Company’s debt exceeds the related asset under development, the Company expenses that portion of the interest incurred. Qualifying assets include projects that are actively selling or under development.
Fixed Assets, Net	'
	Fixed Assets, Net:
	Fixed assets are carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation.  Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.  Computer software and hardware are depreciated over three years, office furniture and fixtures are depreciated over seven years, vehicles are depreciated over five years and leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their useful life or lease term and range from one to three years.  Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, while significant improvements are capitalized.  Depreciation expense is included in general and administrative expenses, and gains or losses on the sale of fixed assets are included in other income.
Receivables	'
	Receivables:
	Receivables include amounts due from buyers for homes sold and from utility companies for reimbursement of costs. At December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company had no allowance for doubtful accounts recorded.
Homebuilding and Land Development Sales and Income Recognition	'
	Homebuilding and Land Development Sales and Profit Recognition:
	In accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Codification Topic 360 (“ASC Topic 360”), Property, Plant, and Equipment, revenue from home sales and other real estate sales are recorded and any profit is recognized when the respective sales are closed. Sales are closed when all conditions of escrow are met, title passes to the buyer, appropriate consideration is received and collection of associated receivables, if any, is reasonably assured and the Company has no continuing involvement. The Company does not offer financing to any buyers. Sales price incentives are accounted for as a reduction of revenues when the sale is recorded. If the earnings process is not complete, the sale and any related profits are deferred for recognition in future periods. Any profit recorded is based on the calculation of cost of sales, which is dependent on an allocation of costs.
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation:
	Stock- based compensation expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the period in which the awards vest in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. The Company has issued 430,333 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) under its 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”). See Note 9 for a description of the RSUs and the LTIP.
Warranty Reserves	'
	Warranty Reserves:
	Estimated future direct warranty costs are accrued and charged to cost of sales-homebuilding in the period in which the related homebuilding revenue is recognized. Amounts accrued are based upon estimates of the amount the Company expects to pay for warranty work. The Company assesses the adequacy of its warranty reserves on a quarterly basis and adjusts the amounts recorded, if necessary. Warranty reserves are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities	'
	Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities:
	The Company enters into purchase and option agreements for the purchase of real estate as part of the normal course of business. These purchase and option agreements enable the Company to acquire real estate at one or more future dates at pre-determined prices. The Company believes these acquisition structures reduce its financial risk associated with real estate acquisitions and holdings and allow the Company to better manage its cash position.
	Based on the provisions of the relevant accounting guidance, the Company concluded that when it enters into a purchase agreement to acquire real estate from an entity, a variable interest entity (“VIE”), may be created. The Company evaluates all option and purchase agreements for real estate to determine whether they are a VIE. The applicable accounting guidance requires that for each VIE, the Company assess whether it is the primary beneficiary and, if it is, the Company consolidates the VIE in its consolidated financial statements in accordance with ASC Topic 810 - Consolidations, and would reflect such assets and liabilities as “Real estate inventories not owned.”
	In order to determine if the Company is the primary beneficiary, it must first assess whether it has the ability to control the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance. Such activities include, but are not limited to, the ability to determine the budget and scope of land development work, if any; the ability to control financing decisions for the VIE; the ability to acquire additional land into the VIE or dispose of land in the VIE not under contract with us; and the ability to change or amend the existing option contract with the VIE. If the Company is not determined to control such activities, the Company is not considered the primary beneficiary of the VIE. If the Company does have the ability to control such activities, the Company will continue its analysis by determining if it is also expected to absorb a potentially significant amount of the VIE’s losses or, if no party absorbs the majority of such losses, if the Company will benefit from a potentially significant amount of the VIE’s expected gains.
	In substantially all cases, creditors of the entities with which the Company have option agreements have no recourse against the Company and the maximum exposure to loss on the applicable option or purchase agreements is limited to non-refundable option deposits and any capitalized pre-acquisition costs. Some of the Company’s option or purchase deposits may be refundable to the Company if certain contractual conditions are not performed by the party selling the lots. The Company did not consolidate any VIE at December 31, 2013 or 2012.
Price Participation Interests	'
	Price Participation Interests:
	Certain land purchase contracts and other agreements include provisions for additional payments to the land sellers. These additional payments are contingent on certain future outcomes, such as, selling homes above a certain preset price or achieving an internal rate of return above a certain preset level. These additional payments, if triggered, are accounted for as cost of sale, when they become due, however, they are neither fully determinable, nor due, until the transfer of title to the buyer is complete. Accordingly, no liability is recorded until the sale is complete.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes:
	The Company’s provision for income tax expense includes federal and state income taxes currently payable and those deferred because of temporary differences between the income tax and financial reporting bases of the assets and liabilities.  The liability method of accounting for income taxes also requires the Company to reflect the effect of a tax rate change on accumulated deferred income taxes in income in the period in which the change is enacted.
	In assessing the realization of deferred income taxes, the Company considered whether it is more likely than not that any deferred income tax assets will be realized.  The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of sufficient future taxable income during the period in which temporary differences become deductible.  If it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded. The Company considered many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization of its deferred tax assets, including recent cumulative earnings experience by taxing jurisdiction, expectations of future transactions, the carryforward periods available to the Company for tax reporting purposes and availability of tax planning strategies. These assumptions require significant judgment about future events. These judgments are consistent with the plans and estimates that the Company uses to manage the underlying businesses.   In evaluating the objective evidence that historical results provide, the Company considered three years of cumulative operating income or loss of UCP LLC.
	As a result of the analysis of all available evidence as of December 31, 2013, the Company recorded a full valuation allowance on its net deferred tax assets.  Consequently, the Company reported no income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2013. If the Company’s assumptions change and the Company believes it will be able to realize these deferred tax assets, the tax benefits relating to any reversal of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets will be recognized as a reduction of income tax expense.  If the assumptions do not change, each period the Company could record an additional valuation allowance on any increases in the deferred tax assets.
	The Company recognizes any uncertain income tax positions on income tax returns at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority.  An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized unless it has a greater than 50% likelihood of being sustained. The Company recognizes any interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.
Noncontrolling Interest	'
	Noncontrolling Interest:
	The Company reports the share of the results of operations that are attributable to other owners of its consolidated subsidiaries that are less than wholly-owned, as noncontrolling interest in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  In the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income or loss, the income or loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest is reported separately, and the accumulated income or loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest, along with any changes in ownership or adjustments of the subsidiary, is reported as a component of total equity.  For the year ended December 31, 2013, the noncontrolling interest reported in the consolidated financial statements includes PICO’s share of 100% of the loss related to UCP, LLC prior to the completion of the IPO, and 57.7% of UCP, LLC’s loss subsequent to the completion of the IPO - see Note 12.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	'
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards:
	Other than as described below, no new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during the fiscal year has had or is expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. The amendment requires that an unrecognized tax benefit be presented in financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. If an applicable deferred tax asset is not available or a company does not expect to use the applicable deferred tax asset, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability in the financial statements and should not be combined with an unrelated deferred tax asset. The amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The amendments should be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date; however, retrospective application is permitted. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-04, Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation is Fixed at the Reporting Date. The standard provides guidance on the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this update is fixed at the reporting date, except for obligations addressed within existing guidance in U.S. GAAP. This update is effective for reporting periods after December 15, 2013. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this standard will have on the consolidated financial statements.
	In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance that requires the presentation of comprehensive income to report the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both cases, the Company is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. The revised guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, applied on a prospective basis. The Company conformed to the presentation, which did not have a material impact on the presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Schedule of other assets	'
	The detail of other assets is set forth below (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-12
	Customer deposits in escrow	$	350		$	388
	Prepaid expenses	441			207
	Other deposits	365			325
		$	1,156		$	920
Schedule of warranty reserves	'
	Changes in warranty reserves are detailed in the table set forth below (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-12
	Warranty reserves, beginning of period	$	141		$	102
	Warranty reserves accrued	487			51
	Warranty expenditures	(20		)	(12		)
	Warranty reserves, end of period	$	608		$	141

Earnings_Loss_per_share_Tables

Earnings (Loss) per share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule Pro Forma Basic an Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share of Class A common stock from IPO to December 31, 2013 have been computed as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
		IPO to December 31, 2013
	Numerator
	Net loss attributable to UCP, Inc.	$	(1,941	)
	Denominator
	Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding - basic and diluted	7,750,000
	Net loss per share of Class A common stock - basic and diluted	$	(0.25	)

Real_Estate_Inventories_Tables

Real Estate Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Real Estate [Abstract]	'
Schedule of real estate inventory	'
	Real estate inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-12
	Deposits and pre-acquisition costs	$	4,517		$	2,177
	Land held and land under development	117,808			110,463
	Homes completed or under construction	46,639			9,441
	Model homes	7,884			3,286
		$	176,848		$	125,367
Schedule of interest capitalization	'
	Amounts capitalized to home inventory and land inventory were as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Interest expense capitalized as cost of home inventory	$	2,259		$	369		$	68
	Interest expense capitalized as cost of land inventory	642			1,580			1,649
	Total interest expense capitalized	2,901			1,949			1,717
	Previously capitalized interest expense included in cost of sales - homebuilding	(1,174		)	(122		)	(35		)
	Previously capitalized interest expense included in cost of sales - land development	(9		)	(638		)	(476		)
	Net activity of capitalized interest	1,718			1,189			1,206
	Capitalized interest expense in beginning inventory	4,620			3,431			2,225
	Capitalized interest expense in ending inventory	$	6,338		$	4,620		$	3,431

Fixed_Assets_Net_Tables

Fixed Assets, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Schedule of fixed assets	'
	Fixed assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-12
	Computer hardware and software	$	1,118		$	667
	Office furniture and equipment and leasehold improvements	337			169
	Vehicles	79			79
		1,534			915
	Accumulated depreciation	(506		)	(235		)
	Fixed assets, net	$	1,028		$	680

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_L1

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Schedule of accounts payable and accrued liabilities	'
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13		31-Dec-12
	Accrued expenses	$	14,162	$	4,084
	Accounts payable	2,118		1,179
	Accrued payroll liabilities	1,766		703
	Warranty reserves (Note 2)	608		141
		$	18,654	$	6,107

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of debt	'
	Debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13		31-Dec-12
	Acquisition Debt:
	Variable Interest Rate:
	Interest rate of 3.94% to 4.5%, payments due through 2013	$	—	$	5,551
	Interest rate of 3.94% to 4.19%, payments due through 2014	1,830		—
	Interest rate of 3.94%, payments due through 2015	1,591		—
	Fixed Interest Rate:
	Interest rate of 5%, payments due through 2014	425		425
	Interest rate of 5%, payments due through 2015	5,048		—
	Interest rate of 6%, payments due through 2014	—		4,136
	Interest rate of 6.5%, payments due through 2036	548		558
	Interest rate of 10%, payments due through 2014	1,604		1,604
	Total acquisition debt	11,046		12,274
	Construction and Development Debt:
	Variable Interest Rate:
	Interest rate of 3.94%, payments due through 2014	1,705		—
	Interest rate of 3.94%, payments due through 2015	12,181		—
	Interest rate of 5%, payments due through 2015	6,018		—
	Fixed Interest Rate:
	Interest rate of 6%, payments due through 2014	—		10,838
	Interest rate of 10%, payments due through 2014	—		6,000
	Total construction and development debt	19,904		16,838
	Total debt	$	30,950	$	29,112
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	'
	The Company's future minimum debt repayments are as follows (in thousands):
	Year ending December 31,
	2014	$	5,565
	2015	24,837
	2016 -2018	—
	Thereafter	548
	Total	$	30,950

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Tables

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of financial instruments not carried at fair value	'
	The following presents the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s financial instruments which are not carried at fair value (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13				31-Dec-12
		Carrying		Estimated Fair		Carrying		Estimated Fair
		Amount		Value		Amount		Value
	Financial liabilities:
	Debt	$	30,950	$	32,044	$	29,112	$	28,184

Stock_Based_Compensation_Table

Stock Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of RSU and RSA Activity	'
	A summary of RSU activity is as follows:
		RSU
	Outstanding and unvested at January 1, 2013	—
	Granted	430,333
	Vested	(140,778	)
	Outstanding and unvested at December 31, 2013	289,555

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	'
	A reconciliation of income tax computed at the statutory federal income tax rate to the provision (benefit) for income taxes included in the accompanying statements of operations and comprehensive income or loss is as follows for the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		2013
	Income tax (benefit) provision at federal statutory rate	(35	)%
	State income tax, net of federal benefit	(2	)%
	Non-benefited losses from valuation allowance	17	%
	Noncontrolling interest	19	%
	Other permanent items	1	%
	Effective tax rate	—	%
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	'
	Total deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss carry forwards	$	1,689
	Outside basis difference in partnership	5,061
	Valuation allowance	(6,750		)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	—

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of financial information relating to segments	'
	Financial information relating to reportable segments is as follows (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-12
	Assets
	Homebuilding	$	108,594		$	31,427
	Land development	68,254			93,940
	Corporate and other assets	90,472			12,167
	Total	$	267,320		$	137,534
	Corporate and Other Assets primarily include cash and cash equivalents which are maintained centrally and used according to the cash flow requirements of each of the two segments. The increase in cash and cash equivalents was a result of proceeds from the completion of the IPO.
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012		2011
	Revenue
	Homebuilding	$	72,511		$	14,060	$	8,285
	Land development	20,215			44,066		15,893
	Total	92,726			58,126		24,178
	Gross margin
	Homebuilding	15,011			4,228		2,664
	Land development	6,395			11,190		(1,387		)
	Total	21,406			15,418		1,277
	Sales and marketing	6,647			2,875		1,414
	General and administrative	19,368			10,103		6,464
	Other income	322			578		34
	Net (loss) income	$	(4,287	)	$	3,018	$	(6,567	)

Noncontrolling_Interest_Tables

Noncontrolling Interest (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'
Schedule of initial carrying value of noncontrolling interest	'
	The initial carrying value and ending balance at December 31, 2013 of the noncontrolling interest was calculated as follows (in thousands):
	Carrying value of UCP, LLC (includes net proceeds for exchange of UCP, LLC Series B Units)	$	217,816
	Voting ownership percentage of noncontrolling interest	57.7		%
	Initial carrying value of noncontrolling interest	125,680
	Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(137		)
	Stock-based compensation related to noncontrolling interest	919
	Ending balance of noncontrolling interest at December 31, 2013	$	126,462

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases	'
	Future minimum payments under all operating leases for the years ending December 31 are as follows (in thousands):
	2014	$	809
	2015	756
	2016	520
	2017	507
	2018	492
	Thereafter	69
	Total	$	3,153

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud1

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Data	'
	The following tables presents certain unaudited consolidated quarterly financial information for each of the eight fiscal quarters in the period ended December 31, 2013.  This quarterly information has been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the information for the periods presented.  The results for these quarterly periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for a full year or any future period.
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2013			2013			2013
		(Unaudited)
		(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
	Homebuilding revenue	$	4,333		$	20,907		$	21,369		$	25,902
	Land development revenue	7,470			6,815			2,250			3,680
	Total revenue	11,803			27,722			23,619			29,582
	Gross margin – homebuilding	873			4,425			4,811			4,902
	Gross margin – land development	2,890			1,679			817			1,009
	Gross margin	3,763			6,104			5,628			5,911
	Sales and marketing expenses	1,132			2,099			1,516			1,900
	General and administrative expenses	3,480			5,326			4,503			6,059
	Total expenses	4,612			7,425			6,019			7,959
	Other income	39			224			55			4
	Net loss	$	(810	)	$	(1,097	)	$	(336	)	$	(2,044	)
	Net loss attributable to stockholders	$	—		$	—		$	(15	)	$	(1,926	)
	Net loss per common share:
	Basic and diluted	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(0.25	)
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar-12			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
					2012			2012			2012
		(Unaudited)
		(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
	Homebuilding revenue	$	1,533		$	1,435		$	1,356		$	9,736
	Land development revenue	2,002			—			21,945			20,119
	Total revenue	3,535			1,435			23,301			29,855
	Gross margin – homebuilding	471			378			368			3,011
	Gross margin – land development	653			(9		)	5,325			5,221
	Gross margin	1,124			369			5,693			8,232
	Sales and marketing expenses	221			238			873			1,543
	General and administrative expenses	2,208			2,386			2,481			3,028
	Total expenses	2,429			2,624			3,354			4,571
	Other income	208			93			227			50
	Net (loss) income	$	(1,097	)	$	(2,162	)	$	2,566		$	3,711
	Net (loss) income attributable to stockholders	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Net (loss) income per common share:
	Basic and diluted	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—

DESCRIPTION_OF_BUSINESS_AND_NA1

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS: (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Jul. 23, 2013

Jul. 23, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jul. 23, 2013

Jul. 21, 2013

Jul. 23, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Jul. 23, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jul. 23, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

IPO [Member]

IPO [Member]

UCP LLC [Member]

Subsidiaries [Member]

Subsidiaries [Member]

Subsidiaries [Member]

Subsidiaries [Member]

Subsidiaries [Member]

Series A Units [Member]

Common Class A [Member]

Common Class B [Member]

Member Units [Member]

Member Units [Member]

Member Units [Member]

Common stock [Member]

Common stock [Member]

Common stock [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Land Development [Member]

Land Development [Member]

Land Development [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Common Class A [Member]

Common Class B [Member]

Common Class B [Member]

Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]

Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

$0.01

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0.01

$0.01

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from IPO (net of offering costs)

$105,454,000

$0

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$105,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Economic interest percentage

'

'

'

'

'

42.30%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash contributions from member

37,512,000

41,005,000

30,531,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-37,512,000

-41,005,000

-30,531,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayments of member contributions

25,443,000

34,700,000

18,311,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-25,443,000

-34,700,000

-18,311,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Allocated expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

600,000

1,200,000

900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Allocated expenses payable

0.6

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance of common (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,750,000

100

100

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share Price (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

$15

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

57.70%

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred stock, shares authorized

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares reclassified during the period (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,593,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Economic interest held by common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock exchange ratio

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contingent exchangeable shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,343,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of cash payment from subsidiary for increases in tax basis

85.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax receivable agreement period

'15 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax receivable agreement, variable discount rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

Percentage of cash savings realized from increase in tax basis

15.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership percentage, for right to nominate two individuals for election to board of directors

25.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership percentage, for right to nominate one individual for election to board of directors

10.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment charges

$0

$0

$5,184,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

$0

$5,200,000

'

Shares granted in period (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

430,333

430,333

'

'

'

'

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT3

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Jul. 23, 2013

Jul. 23, 2013

Jul. 21, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

segment

Computer hardware and software [Member]

Furniture and Fixtures [Member]

Vehicles [Member]

Leasehold Improvements [Member]

Leasehold Improvements [Member]

Real Estate [Member]

Real Estate [Member]

Land Development [Member]

Land Development [Member]

Land Development [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]

Subsidiaries [Member]

Subsidiaries [Member]

Parent Company [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

57.70%

100.00%

'

Shares granted in period (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

430,333

430,333

'

'

'

Fixed asset useful life

'

'

'

'3 years

'7 years

'5 years

'1 year

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment charges

$0

$0

$5,184,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

$0

$5,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

Abandonment charges

309,000

665,000

338,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reportable segments

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Guarantor obligations maximum obligations

10,300,000

6,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Inventory held for sale

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,600,000

2,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Related Party Transaction, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses from Transactions with Related Party

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$400,000

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT4

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: Other Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'
Customer deposits in escrow	$350	$388
Prepaid expenses	441	207
Deposits	365	325
Other assets	$1,156	$920

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT5

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: Warranty Reserves (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Movement in Standard and Extended Product Warranty, Increase (Decrease) [Roll Forward]	'	'
Warranty reserves, beginning of period	$141	$102
Warranty reserves accrued	487	51
Warranty expenditures	-20	-12
Warranty reserves, end of period	$608	$141

Earnings_Loss_per_share_Profor

Earnings (Loss) per share - Proforma Earnings (Loss) per share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Numerator	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss attributable to UCP, Inc.	($1,926)	($15)	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	($1,941)	$0	$0
Denominator	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Pro forma net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,750,000	'	'
Common Class A [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Denominator	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Pro forma net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,750,000	'	'
Net income (loss) per share of Class A common stock - basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($0.25)	'	'

Real_Estate_Inventories_Real_E

Real Estate Inventories - Real Estate Inventory (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	lot	lot
Real Estate [Abstract]	'	'
Deposits and pre-acquisition costs	$4,517,000	$2,177,000
Land held and land under development	117,808,000	110,463,000
Homes completed or under construction	46,639,000	9,441,000
Model homes	7,884,000	3,286,000
Total Inventory	176,848,000	125,367,000
Deposits on land purchase contracts	3,700,000	1,500,000
Number of land purchase contracts	1,350	258
Aggregate land purchase contracts, net	$87,900,000	$20,100,000

Real_Estate_Inventories_Intere

Real Estate Inventories - Interest Capitalization (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Real Estate Inventory, Capitalized Interest Costs [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Interest expense capitalized as cost of home inventory	$2,259	$369	$68
Interest expense capitalized as cost of land inventory	642	1,580	1,649
Total interest expense capitalized	2,901	1,949	1,717
Previously capitalized interest expense included in cost of sales - homebuilding	-1,174	-122	-35
Previously capitalized interest expense included in cost of sales - land development	-9	-638	-476
Net activity of capitalized interest	1,718	1,189	1,206
Capitalized interest expense in beginning inventory	4,620	3,431	2,225
Capitalized interest expense in ending inventory	$6,338	$4,620	$3,431

Fixed_Assets_Net_Details

Fixed Assets, Net (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fixed assets, gross	$1,534	$915	'
Accumulated depreciation	-506	-235	'
Fixed assets, net	1,028	680	'
Depreciation	271	147	36
Computer hardware and software [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fixed assets, gross	1,118	667	'
Office furniture and equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fixed assets, gross	337	169	'
Vehicles [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fixed assets, gross	$79	$79	'

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_L2

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'	'	'
Accrued expenses	$14,162	$4,084	'
Accounts payable	2,118	1,179	'
Accrued payroll liabilities	1,766	703	'
Warranty reserves (Note 2)	608	141	102
Total liabilities	$18,654	$6,107	'

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified			Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
			London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]	London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Aggregate loan commitments	$56.40	'	'	'
Unused loan commitments	$25.40	'	'	'
Weighted average interest rate	4.70%	6.70%	'	'
Interest rate	1.75%	'	'	'
Debt, variable interest rate	'	'	3.75%	4.00%

Debt_Long_Term_Debt_Details

Debt - Long Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	$30,950	$29,112
Interest rate	1.75%	'
Acquisition Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	11,046	12,274
Acquisition Debt [Member] | Interest rate of 3.94% to 4.5%, payments due through 2013	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	0	5,551
Acquisition Debt [Member] | Interest rate of 3.94% to 4.19%, payments due through 2014	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	1,830	0
Acquisition Debt [Member] | Interest rates of 3.94%, payments due through 2015	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	1,591	0
Interest rate	3.94%	'
Acquisition Debt [Member] | Interest rate of 5%, payments due through 2014	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	425	425
Interest rate	5.00%	'
Acquisition Debt [Member] | Interest rate of 5%, payments due through 2015	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	5,048	0
Interest rate	5.50%	'
Acquisition Debt [Member] | Interest rate of 6%, payments due through 2014	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	0	4,136
Interest rate	6.00%	'
Acquisition Debt [Member] | Interest rate of 6.5%, payments due through 2036	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	548	558
Interest rate	6.50%	'
Acquisition Debt [Member] | Interest rate of 10%, payments due through 2014	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	1,604	1,604
Interest rate	10.00%	'
Construction Development Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	19,904	16,838
Construction Development Debt [Member] | Interest rates of 3.94%, payments due through 2015	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	12,181	0
Interest rate	3.94%	'
Construction Development Debt [Member] | Interest rate of 5%, payments due through 2015	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	5.00%	'
Construction Development Debt [Member] | Interest rate of 6%, payments due through 2014	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	0	10,838
Construction Development Debt [Member] | Interest rate of 10%, payments due through 2014	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	0	6,000
Interest rate	10.00%	'
Construction Development Debt [Member] | Interest rate of 3.94%, payments due through 2014	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	1,705	0
Interest rate	3.94%	'
Construction Development Debt [Member] | Interest rate of 5%, payments due through 2015	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	$6,018	$0
Minimum [Member] | Acquisition Debt [Member] | Interest rate of 3.94% to 4.5%, payments due through 2013	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	3.94%	'
Minimum [Member] | Acquisition Debt [Member] | Interest rate of 3.94% to 4.19%, payments due through 2014	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	3.94%	'
Minimum [Member] | Construction Development Debt [Member] | Interest rate of 6%, payments due through 2014	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	6.00%	'
Maximum [Member] | Acquisition Debt [Member] | Interest rate of 3.94% to 4.5%, payments due through 2013	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	4.50%	'
Maximum [Member] | Acquisition Debt [Member] | Interest rate of 3.94% to 4.19%, payments due through 2014	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	4.19%	'

Debt_Maturities_Details

Debt - Maturities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
2014	$5,565	'
2015	24,837	'
2016 -2018	0	'
Thereafter	548	'
Long-term Debt	$30,950	$29,112

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Details

Fair Value Disclosures (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Carrying Amount [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	$30,950	$29,112
Estimated Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	$32,044	$28,184

Stock_Based_Compensation_Detai

Stock Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended					0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 23, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 23, 2013
			Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]	Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]	Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]	General and Administrative Expense [Member]	Vesting Period, End of Current Year [Member]	Vesting Period, End of First Anniversary [Member]	Vesting Period, End of Second Anniversary [Member]	Board of Directors [Member]
				Common Class A [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]					Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]
											Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Share-based Awards Other than Options	'	'	$4,300,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares that may be issued (in shares)	'	'	'	1,834,300	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Award vesting, percentage	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	33.33%	33.33%	33.33%	'
Expiration period	'	'	'	'10 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares granted in period (in shares)	'	'	430,333	'	430,333	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued vesting (in shares)	'	'	140,778	'	'	140,778	'	'	'	'	'
Grant date fair value	'	'	'	'	'	6,500,000	'	'	'	'	'
Share based compensation	$0	$0	'	'	'	'	$2,200,000	'	'	'	'
Vesting period	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'1 year

Stock_Based_Compensation_Sched

Stock Based Compensation - Schedule of RSU Activity (Details) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'
Outstanding and unvested at January 1, 2013 (in shares)	0
Granted (in shares)	430,333
Accrued vesting (in shares)	-140,778
Outstanding and unvested at December 31, 2013 (in shares)	289,555
Unrecognized compensation cost, expected to be recognized over the next 2 years (in thousands)	$4.30
Weighted average recognition period	'1 year 6 months

Income_Taxes_Effective_Income_

Income Taxes - Effective Income Tax Reconciliation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income tax (benefit) provision at federal statutory rate	-35.00%
State income tax, net of federal benefit	-2.00%
Non-benefited losses from valuation allowance	17.00%
Noncontrolling interest	19.00%
Other permanent items	1.00%
Effective tax rate	0.00%

Income_Taxes_Deferred_Income_T

Income Taxes - Deferred Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards	$1,689
Deferred Tax Asset, Outside Basis in Partnership	5,061
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	-6,750
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance	$0

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes -Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'
Deferred tax assets	$6,800,000
Operating loss carryforwards	6,750,000
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'
Operating loss carryforwards	4,100,000
California [Member]	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'
Operating loss carryforwards	$4,100,000

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
									segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	$267,320	'	'	'	$137,534	'	'	'	$267,320	$137,534	'
REVENUE:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Homebuilding	25,902	21,369	20,907	4,333	9,736	1,356	1,435	1,533	72,511	14,060	8,285
Land development	3,680	2,250	6,815	7,470	20,119	21,945	0	2,002	20,215	44,066	15,893
Total revenue	29,582	23,619	27,722	11,803	29,855	23,301	1,435	3,535	92,726	58,126	24,178
Gross Profit [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net (loss) income	-2,044	-336	-1,097	-810	3,711	2,566	-2,162	-1,097	-4,609	2,440	-6,601
Sales and marketing	7,959	6,019	7,425	4,612	4,571	3,354	2,624	2,429	'	'	'
General and administrative	6,059	4,503	5,326	3,480	3,028	2,481	2,386	2,208	19,368	10,103	6,464
Other income	4	55	224	39	50	227	93	208	'	'	'
Net (loss) income before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-4,287	3,018	-6,567
Reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2	'	'
Home Building [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	108,594	'	'	'	31,427	'	'	'	108,594	31,427	'
Land Development [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	68,254	'	'	'	93,940	'	'	'	68,254	93,940	'
Corporate [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	90,472	'	'	'	12,167	'	'	'	90,472	12,167	'
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
REVENUE:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	92,726	58,126	24,178
Gross Profit [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net (loss) income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	21,406	15,418	1,277
Operating Segments [Member] | Home Building [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
REVENUE:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Homebuilding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	72,511	14,060	8,285
Gross Profit [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net (loss) income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	15,011	4,228	2,664
Operating Segments [Member] | Land Development [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
REVENUE:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Land development	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	20,215	44,066	15,893
Gross Profit [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net (loss) income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,395	11,190	-1,387
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Profit [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales and marketing	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,647	2,875	1,414
Other income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$322	$578	$34

Noncontrolling_Interest_Detail

Noncontrolling Interest (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'
Voting interest not controlled by parent	42.30%	'	'
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	($2,346)	$3,018	($6,567)
Noncontrolling interest	126,462	0	'
Parent Company [Member]	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stockholders' equity, period increase	782	'	'
Carrying value of UCP, LLC (includes net proceeds for exchange of UCP, LLC Series B Units)	217,816	'	'
Voting ownership percentage of noncontrolling interest	57.70%	'	'
Initial carrying value of noncontrolling interest	125,680	'	'
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-137	'	'
Stock-based compensation related to noncontrolling interest	919	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	$126,462	'	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Operating leases, rent expense	$541,000	$270,000	$246,000
Surety Bond [Member]	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Surety bonds	$10,300,000	$6,900,000	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Future Minimum Payments, Operating Leases (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014	$809
2015	756
2016	520
2017	507
2018	492
Thereafter	69
Total	$3,153

Employee_Benefits_Details

Employee Benefits (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share based compensation	'	$0	$0
Defined contribution plan, employer discretionary contribution amount	403,000	305,000	189,000
Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share based compensation	$900,000	$200,000	'

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud2

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Homebuilding	$25,902	$21,369	$20,907	$4,333	$9,736	$1,356	$1,435	$1,533	$72,511	$14,060	$8,285
Land development	3,680	2,250	6,815	7,470	20,119	21,945	0	2,002	20,215	44,066	15,893
Total revenue	29,582	23,619	27,722	11,803	29,855	23,301	1,435	3,535	92,726	58,126	24,178
Gross margin b homebuilding	4,902	4,811	4,425	873	3,011	368	378	471	'	'	'
Gross margin b land development	1,009	817	1,679	2,890	5,221	5,325	-9	653	'	'	'
Gross margin	5,911	5,628	6,104	3,763	8,232	5,693	369	1,124	'	'	'
Sales and marketing	1,900	1,516	2,099	1,132	1,543	873	238	221	6,647	2,875	1,414
General and administrative	6,059	4,503	5,326	3,480	3,028	2,481	2,386	2,208	19,368	10,103	6,464
Total expenses	7,959	6,019	7,425	4,612	4,571	3,354	2,624	2,429	'	'	'
Other income	4	55	224	39	50	227	93	208	'	'	'
Net (loss) income	-2,044	-336	-1,097	-810	3,711	2,566	-2,162	-1,097	-4,609	2,440	-6,601
Net loss attributable to stockholders	($1,926)	($15)	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	($1,941)	$0	$0
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (usd per share)	($0.25)	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	($0.25)	'	'