Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Registrant Name	SHEA HOMES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Entity Central Index Key	0001531744
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-11
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	0