Note 3 - Business Acquisitions - Purchase Price Allocation (Details) - The Ryland Group, Inc. [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Oct. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Number of shares of CalAtlantic common stock issued to Ryland shareholders (in shares)	47,989,812
Opening price per share of CalAtlantic common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 40.46
Consideration	$ 30,600
Total purchase price	1,972,284
Cash and cash equivalents	268,517
Inventories	2,404,765
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	13,821
Deferred income taxes	120,615
Homebuilding other assets	77,124
Financial services assets, excluding cash	144,889
Goodwill	970,185	$ 970,200
Total assets	3,999,916
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(495,425)
Secured project debt and other notes payables	(22,213)
Senior notes payable	(1,291,541)
Financial services liabilities	(124,619)
Additional paid-in capital	(93,834)
Total purchase price	1,972,284
Common Stock [Member]
Consideration	1,941,668
Equity Awards Exchanged for Acquisition Equity Awards [Member]
Consideration	$ 30,616