NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation: 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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements	Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements: The preparation of 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 application of the equity method of accounting, intangibles, real estate and water assets, deferred income taxes, stock-based compensation, and contingent liabilities. While management believes that the carrying value of such assets and liabilities were appropriate as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, it is reasonably possible that actual results could differ from the estimates upon which the carrying values were based.
Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets	Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets: Real estate and tangible water assets include the cost of certain tangible water assets, water storage credits and related storage facilities, real estate, including raw land and real estate being developed and any real estate improvements. The Company capitalizes pre-acquisition costs, the purchase price of real estate, development costs and other allocated costs, including interest, during development and construction. 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. Additional costs to develop or otherwise get real estate and tangible water assets ready for their intended use are capitalized. These costs typically include direct construction costs, legal fees, engineering, consulting, direct cost of well drilling or related construction, and any interest costs capitalized on qualifying assets during the development period. The Company expenses all maintenance and repair costs on real estate and tangible water assets. The types of costs capitalized are consistent across periods presented. Tangible water assets consist of various water interests currently in development or awaiting permitting. Amortization of real estate improvements is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the improvements ranging from five to fifteen years.
Intangible Water Assets	Intangible Water Assets: Intangible water assets include the costs of indefinite-lived intangible assets and is comprised of water rights and the exclusive right to use two water transportation pipelines. The Company capitalizes development and entitlement costs and other allocated costs, including interest, during the development period of the assets to tangible water assets and transfers the costs to intangible water assets when water rights are permitted. Water rights consist of various water interests acquired or developed independently or in conjunction with the acquisition of real estate. When the Company purchases intangible water assets that are attached to real estate, an allocation of the total purchase price, including any direct costs of the acquisition, is made at the date of acquisition based on the estimated relative fair values of the water rights and the real estate. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized but are tested for impairment at least annually in the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired, by comparing the fair value of the assets to their carrying amounts. The fair value of the intangible assets is calculated using discounted cash flow models that incorporate a wide range of assumptions including current asset pricing, price escalation, discount rates, absorption rates, timing of sales, and costs. These models are sensitive to minor changes in any of the input variables.
Investments	Investments: The Company’s investment portfolio at December 31, 2016 and 2015 was comprised of corporate bonds and equity securities. Corporate bonds are purchased based on the maturity and yield-to-maturity of the bond and an analysis of the fundamental characteristics of the issuer. The Company’s investments in equity securities consisted of common stock of publicly traded and private small-capitalization companies in the United States (“U.S.”) and selected foreign markets. The Company classifies its marketable securities as available-for-sale investments. Such investments are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax effects, recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. Investments in private companies are generally held at the lower of cost or fair value, unless the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence. The Company reports the amortization of premium and accretion of discount on the level yield method relating to bonds acquired at other than par value and realized investment gains and losses in other income. The cost of any equity security sold is determined using an average cost basis and specific identification for bond cost. Sales and purchases of investments are recorded on the trade date.
Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate	Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate: Investments where the Company owns at least 20% but not more than 50% of the voting interest, or has the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the investee are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, the Company’s share of the income or loss of the affiliate is included in the Company’s consolidated results. Any impairment losses recorded against investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting are included in impairment loss on investment in unconsolidated affiliates.
Other-than-Temporary Impairment	Other-than-Temporary Impairment: All of the Company’s debt and equity investments are subject to a periodic impairment review. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when a decline in the fair value of its investments below the cost basis is judged to be other-than-temporary. Factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary on an equity security includes the length of time and extent to which the investments fair value has been less than the cost basis, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the investee, extent of the loss related to credit of the issuer, the expected cash flows from the security, the Company’s intent to sell the security and whether or not the Company will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its cost. If a security is impaired and continues to decline in value, additional impairment losses are recorded in the period of the decline if deemed other-than-temporary. Subsequent recoveries of the value are reported as unrealized gains and are part of other comprehensive income or loss. The Company will recognize an impairment loss on debt securities if the Company (a) intends to sell or expects to be required to sell the security before its amortized cost is recovered, or (b) does not expect to ultimately recover the amortized cost basis even if the Company does not intend to sell the security. Impairment losses on debt securities that are expected to be sold before the amortized cost is recovered are recognized in earnings. For debt securities that the Company does not expect to recover the amortized costs basis, credit losses are recognized in earnings and the difference between fair value and the amortized cost basis net of the credit loss is recognized in other comprehensive income.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: The Company records an impairment loss when the condition exists where the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable. Impairment of long-lived assets is triggered when the estimated future undiscounted cash flows, excluding interest charges, for the lowest level for which there is identifiable cash flows that are independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets do not exceed the carrying amount. The Company prepares and analyzes cash flows at appropriate levels of grouped assets. If the events or circumstances indicate that the remaining balance 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 long-lived asset.
Noncontrolling Interests	Noncontrolling Interests: 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 of the subsidiary, is reported within shareholders’ equity. The Company allocates UCP Class A common stock issued in connection with the vesting of UCP restricted stock units (“RSU”) and stock-based compensation expense between additional paid-in-capital and noncontrolling interest within the consolidated statements of equity. The equity allocations for the UCP, LLC operating partnership are based on the economic and voting interest percentages of the Company and its noncontrolling interest in UCP. Issuances of UCP Class A common stock for UCP RSUs affect the economic and voting interest percentages, which accordingly are adjusted at the end of each issuance period. The economic and voting interest percentages prevailing during the period are used to determine the current period equity allocations for the operating partnership.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include short-term, highly liquid instruments, purchased with original maturities of three months or less.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net:	Property, Plant and Equipment, Net: Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the assets. Buildings and leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the useful life or lease term and range from 15 to 30 years, office furniture and fixtures are generally depreciated over seven years, and computer equipment is depreciated over three years. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, while significant improvements are capitalized. Gains or losses on the sale of property, plant and equipment are included in other income. Capitalized property, plant and equipment costs include all development costs incurred to get the asset ready for its intended use and includes capitalized interest on qualifying assets during the development period.
Receivables, Policy	Notes and Other Receivables: The Company’s notes and other receivables included warranty insurance, manufacturer rebates, utility reimbursement costs, reimbursable land development costs under a fixed price general contracting service contract, and installment notes from the sale of real estate and water assets. The Company records a provision for doubtful accounts to allow for any specific accounts which may be unrecoverable and is based upon an analysis of the Company’s prior collection experience, customer creditworthiness, current economic trends and underlying value of the real estate, if applicable. Certain notes are secured by the underlying assets, which allows the Company to recover the property if and when a buyer defaults.
Goodwill	Goodwill: The Company records goodwill that arises from costs in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination. The balance is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually in the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is generally the subsidiary company level. A discounted cash flow model is used to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit, which considers forecasted cash flows discounted at an estimated weighted-average cost of capital. The Company selected the discounted cash flow methodology as it believes it is comparable to what would be used by market participants. The weighted-average cost of capital is an estimate of the overall after-tax rate of return required by equity and debt market participants of a business enterprise. This analysis requires significant judgment, including discount rates, growth rates and terminal values and the timing of expected future cash flows. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the future cash flows of the respective reporting unit. Factors which could necessitate an interim impairment assessment include a sustained decline in our stock price, prolonged negative industry or economic trends and significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results.
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	Accounts payable and accrued expenses: Accounts payable and accrued expenses includes trade payables and accrued construction payables.
Deferred Compensation	Deferred Compensation: The Company reports the investment returns generated in the deferred compensation accounts in other income with a corresponding increase in the trust assets (except in the case of PICO stock, which is reported as treasury stock, at cost). There is an increase in the deferred compensation liability when there is appreciation in the market value of the assets held, with a corresponding expense recognized in operating and other costs. In the event the trust assets decline in value, the Company reverses previously expensed compensation. The assets of the plan are held in rabbi trust accounts. Such accounts hold various investments that are consistent with the Company’s investment policy, and are accounted for and reported as available-for-sale securities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Assets of the trust will be distributed according to predetermined payout elections established by each participant.
Other Liabilities	Other Liabilities: Other liabilities includes employee benefits, unearned revenues, option payments and deposits received, warranty liabilities, deferred tax liabilities, and accrued interest, and other accrued liabilities.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition: Sale of Real Estate and Water Assets: Revenue recognition on the sale of real estate and water assets conforms with accounting literature related to the sale of real estate, and is recognized in full when there is a legally binding sale contract, the profit is determinable (the collectability of the sales price is reasonably assured, or any amount that will not be collectible can be estimated), the earnings process is virtually complete (the Company is not obligated to perform significant activities after the sale to earn the profit, meaning the Company has transferred all risks and rewards to the buyer), and the buyer’s initial and continuing investment is adequate to demonstrate a commitment to pay for the property. If these conditions are not met, the Company records the cash received as deferred revenue until the conditions to recognize full profit are met. Sale of Finished Homes: Revenue from sales of finished homes is included in the sale of real estate and water assets in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income or loss and is recognized when the sale closes and title passes to the new homeowner, the new homeowners initial and continuing investment is adequate to demonstrate a commitment to pay for the home, the new homeowners receivable is not subject to future subordination and the Company does not have a substantial continuing involvement with the new home.
Cost of Sales	Cost of Sales: Cost of Real Estate and Water Assets: Cost of real estate and water assets sold includes direct costs of the acquisition of the asset less any impairment losses previously recorded against the asset, development costs incurred to get the asset ready for use, and any capitalized interest costs incurred during the development period. Cost of Homes Sold: Cost of homes sold includes direct home construction costs, closing costs, real estate acquisition and development costs, development period interest, and common costs. Direct construction and development costs are accumulated during the period of construction and charged to cost of homes sold under specific identification methods, as are closing costs. Estimates of costs incurred or to be incurred but not paid are accrued at the time of closing. Real estate development for common costs are allocated to each lot based on a relative fair value of the lots under development.
Operating and Other Costs	General, Administrative, and Other: General, administrative, and other costs include general overhead expenses such as salaries and benefits, stock-based compensation, consulting, audit, tax, legal, insurance, property taxes, and other general operating expenses. The Company has elected to reclassify “Interest” from a separate line item on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income or loss to “General, administrative, and other.” Prior periods presented have been recast from amounts previously reported. Sales and Marketing: Sales and marketing costs include sales and marketing related salaries and benefits and sales commissions.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation: Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair values of the awards and is recognized as expense over the period in which the share-based compensation vests using the straight-line method.
Accounting for Income Taxes	Accounting for 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 asset and 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, management considers 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 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. At December 31, 2016, the Company concluded that it is likely that not all of its deferred tax assets will be realized, and accordingly, a valuation allowance was recorded against the deferred tax assets that are not expected to be realized. 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 a 50% likelihood of being sustained. The Company recognizes any interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.
Loss per Share	Loss per Share: Basic earnings or loss per share was computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings or loss per share was 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 common stock equivalents using the treasury method, if dilutive. The Company’s free-standing stock appreciation rights (“SAR”), performance-based price-contingent stock options (“PBO”), and RSU are considered common stock equivalents for this purpose. The number of additional shares related to these common stock equivalents is calculated using the treasury stock method. For the three years ended December 31, 2016, the Company’s common stock equivalents were excluded from the diluted per share calculation because their effect on earnings per share was anti-dilutive.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy	Translation of Foreign Currency: Financial statements of foreign operations were translated into U.S. dollars using average rates of exchange in effect during the applicable year for revenues, expenses, realized gains and losses, and the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date for assets and liabilities. Unrealized exchange gains and losses arising on translation were reflected within accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Realized foreign currency gains or losses were reported within total costs and expenses in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income or loss. Any accumulated foreign currency included in other comprehensive income or loss that existed at a sale date or date of dissolution of a subsidiary was part of the gain or loss realized on the transaction as reported in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income or loss.
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities	Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities: The Company consolidates variable interest entities (“VIE”) where it has a controlling financial interest. A controlling financial interest will have both of the following characteristics: (1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company did not consolidate any VIE at December 31, 2016 or 2015
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements: In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance on simplifying the presentation of debt issuance costs, which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. For public business entities, the guidance was effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Entities are to apply the new guidance on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. The Company adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2016. Prior to adoption, the Company included debt issuance costs in other assets on its consolidated balance sheets. Beginning in the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company changed its presentation of debt issuance costs for all periods presented and the Company reclassified $1.5 million of debt issuance costs at December 31, 2015 as a direct deduction from the carrying amounts of its debt liabilities both on the consolidated balance sheets and in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance on leases to increase transparency and comparability among organizations. The guidance will require the lessee to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclose key information about lease arrangements for all leases with a term greater than 12 months. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years for public business entities. Early adoption of the guidance is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance on accounting for share-based payments to employees. The guidance clarifies income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. It is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods for public business entities. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period. If early adoption is selected in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year of that interim period and all amendments of the guidance must be adopted in the interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance on revenue from contracts with customers. The amendments in this update do not change the core principle of the existing guidance issued in May 2014 but clarify the implementation guidance of determining whether the company is a principal or agent in a contractual agreement. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. Other major provisions include capitalization of certain contract costs, consideration of time value of money in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. The guidance is effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. The guidance permits the use of either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements. In April 2016, the FASB issued guidance on revenue from contracts with customers. The amendments in this update do not change the core principle of the existing guidance issued in May 2014 but clarify contract performance obligations and licensing implementation guidance. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. Other major provisions include capitalization of certain contract costs, consideration of time value of money in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. The guidance is effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. The guidance permits the use of either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements. In May 2016, the FASB issued guidance on revenue from contracts with customers. The amendments in this update do not change the core principle of the existing guidance issued in May 2014, but clarify contract performance obligations and licensing implementation guidance. The amendments address narrow-scope improvements to the guidance on collectability, noncash consideration, and completed contracts at transition. Additionally, the amendments in this update provide a practical expedient for contract modifications at transition and an accounting policy election related to the presentation of sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers. The guidance is effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. The guidance permits the use of either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued guidance on classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this update clarify guidance on the following eight specific cash flow issues: debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other instruments with coupon rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of company-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle For public business entities, the guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The guidance should be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements. In November 2016, the FASB issued guidance on classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash and equivalents on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this update provide specific guidance that had previously not existed, including how to address classification and presentation changes in restricted cash and equivalents that occur when there are transfers between cash or cash equivalents and restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents or direct cash payments made from restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. For public business entities, the guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. The guidance should be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. For transactions for which the acquisition date occurs before the issuance date of the amendments or in which a subsidiary is deconsolidated or a group of assets is derecognized that occur before the issuance date of the amendments, early adoption is permitted only when the transaction has not been reported in the financial statements that have been issued or made available for issuance. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements. In December 2016, the FASB issued guidance on revenue from contracts with customers. The amendments in this update do not change the core principle of the existing guidance issued in May 2014, but affect narrow aspects of the guidance. The amendments address narrow-scope technical corrections or improvements to the guidance on loan guarantee fees, impairment testing of contract costs, provisions for losses on construction-type and production-type contracts, the scope of the topic, disclosure of remaining and prior-period performance obligations, contract modifications, contract asset versus receivable, refund liability, advertising costs, fixed-odds wagering contracts in the casino industry, and cost capitalization for advisors to private and public funds. The guidance is effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. The guidance permits the use of either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements.