For a detailed explanation of plot-plan terminology and drawing content, see our complete plot plan guide .

If you are planning a construction project in Arizona, you may be asked to submit a plot plan as part of your building or zoning permit application.

Cities, towns and counties use plot plans to understand how proposed construction fits within the property and whether the location appears to comply with setbacks, access requirements, easements and other development standards.

The exact submission requirements are determined locally. A plan submitted in Phoenix may not be reviewed in exactly the same way as one submitted in Mesa, Scottsdale, Chandler, Tucson or an unincorporated county area.

Homeowners applying in Phoenix can review our complete Phoenix residential site plan service guide for fences, pools, garages, decks, sheds, additions and other permit projects.

What Is an Arizona Plot Plan?

An Arizona plot plan is an overhead drawing showing how a property is arranged and where proposed construction will be located.

It can help permit reviewers determine whether a project:

• Is located within the documented property boundaries
• Meets the applicable front, side and rear setbacks
• Maintains required separation from other structures
• Avoids known easements and access areas
• Fits within the available portion of the lot
• Connects properly to a driveway, street or alley
• Matches the remaining permit drawings

The plot plan explains where the project will be built. Floor plans, elevations, structural drawings and construction details explain how the project will be built.

What Is Included in an Arizona Plot Plan?

Depending on the property and project, the reviewing authority may also request:

• Lot-coverage calculations
• Existing and proposed impervious area
• Existing and proposed elevations
• Grading and drainage direction
• Top and bottom of slopes
• Retaining-wall information
• Floodplain boundaries
• Wash or drainage-channel locations
• Septic tank and disposal area
• Private-well location
• Native plants or protected vegetation
• Hillside-development information

When You May Need an Arizona Plot Plan

Plot plans are commonly used for residential projects that change the location, size or arrangement of structures and improvements on a property.

A plot plan may also be needed for carports, accessory dwelling units, driveway changes, new homes and other projects that affect the property layout.

Why an Accurate Plot Plan Matters

A clear plot plan gives the reviewing authority enough information to evaluate the project’s location without relying on assumptions.

It can help reviewers verify:

• The correct property is shown
• The lot shape and dimensions are understandable
• The proposed work is clearly identified
• The project dimensions match the application
• The distances to property lines can be measured
• Existing structures have not been omitted
• Known easements and access areas are considered
• The site plan agrees with the floor plans and elevations

A clear drawing cannot guarantee permit approval, but it can reduce correction requests caused by missing, unclear or inconsistent property information.

Property Boundaries and Setbacks

The property boundaries form the basis of the site plan because setbacks and project placement are measured in relation to them.

The drawing may identify:

• Front property line
• Left-side property line
• Right-side property line
• Rear property line
• Street-side line on a corner lot
• Curved or angled boundary sections
• Recorded lot dimensions
• Adjoining streets or alleys

Do not automatically treat an existing wall, fence, curb, sidewalk or edge of pavement as the legal property line.

Arizona properties frequently have masonry walls around side and rear yards, but the wall may be located inside, outside or along the documented boundary.

The plot plan should normally show the actual distance between the proposed project and each relevant property line.

For additional guidance, read Property Setbacks Explained for Homeowners .

Easements and Recorded Restrictions

A project can satisfy its ordinary zoning setbacks and still conflict with a recorded easement.

Common Arizona easements include:

• Public utility easements
• Drainage easements
• Access easements
• Sewer easements
• Shared-driveway easements
• Alley or service-access areas

When an easement appears on a survey or recorded subdivision plat, the site plan should identify:

• The easement location
• Its recorded width when available
• Its stated purpose
• The relationship between the easement and proposed construction

Construction within an easement may require relocation, utility approval or other supporting documentation.

Driveways, Streets and Alleys

The plot plan should explain how vehicles and pedestrians enter and move through the property.

Relevant features may include:

• Existing driveway
• Driveway width
• Garage or carport connection
• Parking area
• Sidewalk or walkway
• Driveway apron
• Adjoining street
• Rear or side alley
• Vehicle gates
• Pedestrian gates

Rear alleys are common in some Arizona neighborhoods. A garage, accessory building, wall or gate should be shown in relation to the alley when that access affects the project.

Slopes, Hillside Lots and Drainage

Some Arizona properties require more than a basic flat-lot drawing.

Projects on sloping or hillside sites may require:

• Existing contours or elevations
• Top and bottom of slopes
• Retaining-wall locations and heights
• Areas of cut and fill
• Driveway grades
• Building-pad location
• Drainage direction
• Existing washes or drainage channels

Although Arizona has a dry climate, intense rainfall can create rapid runoff through washes, low areas and drainage channels.

A standard drafted plot plan does not replace a topographic survey, grading plan, floodplain analysis, drainage design, geotechnical report or engineering when those services are required.

Where to Get the Property Information

The plot plan can often be prepared using a combination of available property documents and current project information.

Existing Property Survey

An existing survey may show:

• Legal property boundaries
• Boundary dimensions
• Existing house and structures
• Driveways and paving
• Known easements
• Property corners

Before using an older survey, compare it with current photographs. A survey prepared before an addition, pool, garage or wall was built may not show the current property accurately.

Recorded Subdivision Plat

A recorded plat may provide:

• Subdivision name
• Lot and block number
• Recorded lot dimensions
• Street frontage
• Utility easements
• Drainage easements
• Rights-of-way

A subdivision plat usually does not show the current house or improvements, so those existing conditions must still be documented separately.

County Parcel Records

County assessor and parcel systems may provide:

• Parcel number
• Property address
• Approximate parcel shape
• Lot area
• Aerial imagery
• Building information
• Legal-description references

Parcel maps and aerial imagery can support preliminary drafting, but they do not independently establish professionally surveyed legal boundaries.

Professional Arizona Plot Plan Services

Preparing a plot plan can be difficult when the property includes several buildings, irregular boundaries, easements, alleys, retaining walls or complex setback requirements.

USA Site Plans can prepare a clear residential drawing using available information such as:

• Existing property survey
• Recorded subdivision plat
• County parcel records
• Aerial imagery
• Customer-supplied measurements
• Photographs
• Contractor drawings
• A marked sketch showing the proposed location

Professional drafting improves the organization and readability of the drawing, but it does not independently establish legal property boundaries or replace a licensed survey.

Information to Gather Before Ordering

How the Arizona Plot Plan Process Works

Common Arizona Plot Plan Problems

• Showing only the proposed project instead of the relevant property
• Missing property boundaries
• Using a wall or fence as the assumed legal boundary
• Leaving out available lot dimensions
• Omitting the existing house
• Leaving existing garages, pools or accessory structures off the plan
• Failing to identify proposed work clearly
• Missing project dimensions
• Missing front, side or rear property-line distances
• Omitting known utility or access easements
• Leaving out driveways, streets or alleys
• Ignoring slopes, washes or retaining walls
• Failing to show septic or well information when applicable
• No north arrow or drawing scale
• Using small or overlapping labels
• Showing project dimensions that conflict with construction plans
• Submitting an outdated survey without current improvements
• Failing to confirm the correct reviewing jurisdiction

For more information, read Why Site Plans Get Rejected for Permits .

Related Arizona and Permit Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every Arizona building permit require a plot plan?

No. Requirements depend on the reviewing jurisdiction, property and project type. Exterior projects that change the property layout are more likely to require one.

Who determines the plot-plan requirements?

The city, town, county or other local authority reviewing the property determines the detailed submission requirements.

What should an Arizona plot plan show?

It commonly shows property boundaries, lot dimensions, existing structures, proposed work, project dimensions, property-line distances, access, known easements, a north arrow and drawing scale.

Can I use a county parcel map?

Parcel maps can support preliminary drafting, but they do not independently establish professionally surveyed legal property boundaries.

Do I need a licensed property survey?

A licensed survey may be required when the boundaries are uncertain, the project is close to a property line, certified elevations are needed or the reviewing authority requests professionally verified information.

Should easements appear on the plot plan?

Known easements should be shown when they affect the property or proposed project area.

What if the property is on a hillside?

Additional topographic, grading, drainage, geotechnical or engineering information may be required. Confirm the site-specific requirements before finalizing the project.

Can USA Site Plans establish legal property boundaries?

No. USA Site Plans provides drafting services using supplied surveys, plats, records and measurements. Legal boundary location and certification require a licensed land surveyor.

Are USA Site Plans drawings signed or sealed?

No. Licensed surveying, architecture, engineering and professional seals must be obtained separately when required.

Will a clear plot plan guarantee permit approval?

No. The reviewing authority controls approval and may request revisions, a licensed survey, structural plans, grading, engineering or other supporting documentation.

Disclaimer: This article provides general educational information and is not legal, surveying, engineering, architectural, grading, drainage, zoning or permitting advice. Arizona requirements vary according to the jurisdiction, property, zoning district, project, slopes, drainage conditions, easements and current regulations. USA Site Plans is an independent drafting service and is not affiliated with a government permit authority. A drafted plot plan does not establish legal property boundaries or replace a licensed survey, architecture, engineering, grading design or another professionally certified document when required. Confirm current requirements with the authority reviewing the application.