USA Site Plans
Florida residential permit drawing guide
How to Get a Plot Plan in Florida for a Permit
A Florida plot plan can often be prepared using an existing property survey, recorded plat, parcel information, photographs and the proposed project dimensions. The correct starting point depends on the property, project and requirements of the city or county reviewing the permit.
Order Your Florida Plot Plan Florida Plot Plan Services View PricingStart by looking for an existing property survey, recorded subdivision plat or previously approved site plan. Confirm the current requirements with the city or county reviewing the permit, then add the proposed project, dimensions, property-line distances, access and other requested site information. A licensed survey may be required when legal boundaries or elevations must be professionally verified.
If you are applying for a building or zoning permit in Florida, one of the first property drawings you may be asked to provide is a plot plan.
For many homeowners, this is where the permit process becomes confusing. You may know exactly what you want to build and may already have a contractor, but the application cannot be completed until the project’s location is shown clearly within the property.
The good news is that obtaining a Florida plot plan is often more straightforward than it first appears. The key is to identify the best available property document, confirm the local checklist and provide accurate project information.
Need a Plot Plan for a Florida Permit?
USA Site Plans prepares residential drawings for Florida pools, sheds, fences, driveways, decks, garages, additions, patio covers and other exterior projects.
Proposed structures included • Free reasonable drafting edits • Fast weekday turnaround
Order Your Florida Plot Plan View the Site Plan ChecklistWhat Is a Plot Plan?
A plot plan is an overhead drawing showing the layout of a property.
It commonly identifies:
- Property boundaries
- Available lot dimensions
- Existing house footprint
- Existing garages and accessory structures
- Driveways, sidewalks and walkways
- Decks, patios and pools
- Proposed construction
- Project dimensions
- Distances to property lines
- Known easements
- North arrow and drawing scale
Some Florida jurisdictions use the term site plan instead of plot plan. For many residential permit applications, the purpose is the same: to show where the proposed project will be located in relation to the complete property.
For a more detailed explanation, read our complete plot plan guide .
Why Florida Permit Applications May Require a Plot Plan
Florida cities and counties use plot plans to understand the project’s location and how it relates to zoning, access and existing property conditions.
The drawing may be reviewed for:
- Front, side and rear property-line distances
- Building separation
- Known easements
- Lot coverage
- Impervious surface
- Driveway and parking access
- Drainage and grading
- Flood-zone conditions
- Private well and septic systems
- Relationship to existing buildings
Requirements vary significantly between Florida jurisdictions. The city or county reviewing the application controls the current submission requirements.
Four Ways to Get a Plot Plan in Florida
1. Use Your Existing Property Survey
An existing survey is often the most useful starting point.
Homeowners may have received one:
- When purchasing the property
- During refinancing
- For an earlier permit
- From a previous owner
- From a title or closing company
- From a surveyor hired for earlier work
A survey can show:
- Legal property boundaries
- Boundary dimensions
- Property corners
- Existing house and structures
- Driveways and paving
- Known easements
- Encroachments or other survey information
The proposed pool, deck, shed, fence, garage or addition can then be added using the project dimensions and intended location.
Before using an older survey, confirm that the property has not changed since it was prepared. A survey that predates a garage, addition, pool or lot-line adjustment may no longer show the complete existing conditions.
2. Look for a Recorded Subdivision Plat
A recorded subdivision plat can be useful when a current property survey is unavailable.
It may show:
- Subdivision name
- Lot and block number
- Property dimensions
- Street frontage
- Utility easements
- Drainage easements
- Recorded building lines
- Common areas and rights-of-way
A subdivision plat normally does not show the current house, driveway, pool, shed or other improvements. Those existing features still need to be documented separately.
3. Check the County Property Appraiser and GIS
Florida county property-appraiser systems can provide parcel and building information for preliminary research.
Depending on the county, the online record may include:
- Parcel or folio number
- Owner information
- Property address
- Parcel shape
- Approximate dimensions
- Aerial imagery
- Building footprint
- Lot area
- Recorded sales or legal-description information
This information can be useful for beginning a drawing, but GIS parcel lines and aerial images should not automatically be treated as professionally surveyed legal boundaries.
A licensed survey may still be required when:
- The project is close to a property line
- The legal boundaries are uncertain
- Available records conflict
- The lot is irregular
- An easement location is unclear
- Certified elevations are required
- The reviewing authority requests a survey
4. Have a Permit-Focused Plot Plan Drafted
A residential plot plan can often be drafted remotely using:
- An existing survey
- A recorded subdivision plat
- County parcel records
- Aerial imagery
- Photographs
- Customer-supplied measurements
- Contractor drawings
- A marked sketch showing the intended project location
The drawing can then identify the existing property and proposed work in a clean, measurable format.
A drafted plot plan does not independently establish legal property boundaries. It uses the property information supplied or available from existing records.
Check the Local Permit Portal Before Drafting
Many Florida cities and counties publish permit checklists, application forms and electronic-upload standards online.
Before preparing the plot plan, confirm:
- The correct reviewing jurisdiction
- Whether the property is within city limits or unincorporated county territory
- Whether zoning approval is separate from the building permit
- Required drawing size
- Required drawing scale
- Whether a certified survey is required
- Whether flood information is required
- Whether drainage or impervious calculations are required
- Whether signed or sealed plans are required
Different project types can use different checklists. A pool permit may require information that is not needed for a fence, shed or simple deck.
What Florida Plot Plans Usually Need to Show
Additional requirements can include:
- Flood-zone information
- Existing and proposed elevations
- Elevation certificate
- Lot-coverage calculations
- Impervious-area calculations
- Drainage direction
- Stormwater facilities
- Private well and septic systems
- Trees and environmental buffers
- Retaining walls and slopes
Plot Plan Requirements by Project Type
| Project | Information commonly shown |
|---|---|
| Swimming pool | Pool outline, decking, equipment, barriers, easements and distances to the house and property boundaries. |
| Fence | Fence alignment, height, gates, property boundaries, street frontage and corner visibility. |
| Shed | Shed dimensions, height, rear and side property-line distances, access and known easements. |
| Deck | Deck footprint, stairs, landings, dimensions, connection to the house and property-line distances. |
| Home addition | Existing house, proposed addition, updated setbacks, lot coverage, drainage and nearby structures. |
| Detached garage | Garage footprint, driveway access, parking, building separation and property-line distances. |
| Driveway widening | Existing and proposed paving, driveway width, curb connection, sidewalk, parking, drainage and impervious area. |
| Patio cover or pergola | Covered footprint, posts, roof projections, attachment to the house, dimensions and setbacks. |
For pool-specific information, read Florida Plot Plans for Pool Permits .
For driveway projects, see Florida Driveway-Widening Site Plan Requirements .
Property Lines and Setbacks
A permit reviewer may need to verify the proposed project’s distance from each relevant property boundary.
The plot plan can show:
- Front property line
- Both side property lines
- Rear property line
- Street-side boundary on a corner lot
- Distance to an existing house
- Distance to another accessory structure
- Distance to a known easement
The actual setback requirement can depend on:
- City or county
- Zoning district
- Project type
- Attached or detached status
- Structure height
- Lot configuration
- Recorded plat
- Flood or environmental overlay
Do not automatically measure from a fence, hedge, curb or edge of pavement. Those visible features may not correspond with the legal boundary.
Read Property Setbacks Explained for Homeowners for additional guidance.
Easements and Recorded Restrictions
A project can meet its ordinary property-line setbacks and still conflict with an easement.
Common Florida easements include:
- Utility easements
- Drainage easements
- Sewer easements
- Access easements
- Shared-driveway easements
- Stormwater easements
- Canal or water-management easements
When an easement appears on a survey or recorded plat, show its location, width and relationship to the proposed construction.
Building within an easement may require relocation, approval from the easement holder or additional documentation.
Flood Zones and Elevations
Flood conditions are relevant to many Florida properties.
Depending on the project and location, the permit package may require:
- Flood-zone designation
- Flood-zone boundary
- Base flood elevation
- Existing ground elevations
- Proposed finished elevations
- Finished-floor elevation
- Elevation certificate
- Flood-resistant construction details
- Professional surveying or engineering
A standard drafted plot plan does not replace an elevation certificate, topographic survey, floodplain analysis or engineering when those services are required.
Drainage and Impervious Surface
Pools, additions, patios, garages and driveway projects can add roofs, concrete, pavers or other impervious surfaces.
A jurisdiction may request:
- Total lot area
- Existing impervious area
- Proposed additional impervious area
- Total proposed impervious percentage
- Drainage direction
- Swales
- Stormwater structures
- Downspout discharge
- Existing and proposed elevations
Civil engineering or drainage design may be required for projects that substantially alter runoff or ground elevations.
Tampa Plot Plan Services
Residential Site Plans for Tampa Permit Projects
Tampa properties can involve zoning setbacks, flood-zone conditions, drainage easements, pools, accessory structures, driveways and other property-specific constraints.
Our Tampa service guide covers residential decks, pools, sheds, garages, additions, fences, driveways and other common permit projects.
View Tampa Site Plan Services Order Your Site PlanSite Plan vs Licensed Property Survey
| Document | Primary purpose |
|---|---|
| Drafted plot plan | Organizes supplied property records, photographs, measurements and proposed project information into a clear permit drawing. |
| Licensed property survey | Uses legal records and professional field measurements to locate or certify boundaries, corners, structures and elevations. |
| Construction drawings | Explain how the proposed project will be built, including foundations, framing, floor plans and elevations. |
| Engineering or drainage plan | Provides calculations, technical design and professional certification when required. |
Important service distinction
USA Site Plans provides drafting services. Standard drawings do not establish legal property boundaries and are not signed or sealed by a licensed land surveyor, architect or engineer. Professionally certified documents must be obtained separately when required.
How to Order a Florida Plot Plan
Information to Gather Before Ordering
- Complete Florida property address
- Name of the reviewing city or county
- Parcel or folio number when available
- Existing property survey
- Recorded subdivision plat
- Previous approved site plan
- Project type and description
- Proposed length and width
- Proposed height when relevant
- Preferred project location
- Contractor or architectural drawings
- Manufacturer plans when applicable
- A marked survey or hand sketch
- Measurements to nearby property boundaries
- Measurements to existing structures
- Photographs of the complete property
- Photographs of the proposed work area
- Driveway, sidewalk, street or alley information
- Known easement information
- Flood-zone information when available
- Elevation certificate when applicable
- Well and septic information when applicable
- Drainage, slope or retaining-wall information
- Permit comments already received
Common Reasons Florida Plot Plans Receive Corrections
- Showing only the proposed project instead of the relevant property
- Missing property boundaries
- Using a fence as the assumed legal boundary
- Leaving out available lot dimensions
- Omitting the existing house
- Leaving existing structures off the drawing
- Failing to identify proposed work clearly
- Missing project dimensions
- Missing property-line distances
- Showing only required setback lines without actual measurements
- Omitting known utility or drainage easements
- Leaving out driveways, sidewalks or access routes
- Ignoring flood-zone requirements
- Ignoring drainage or impervious-area requirements
- No north arrow or drawing scale
- Submitting a blurry or unreadable image
- Showing information that conflicts with construction drawings
- Failing to confirm the correct reviewing jurisdiction
- Failing to review the current project checklist
A clear plot plan cannot guarantee approval, but it can reduce avoidable correction requests caused by missing, unclear or inconsistent site information.
Read What Permit Reviewers Check First and Why Site Plans Get Rejected .
Florida Plot Plan Checklist
- Correct reviewing jurisdiction confirmed
- Current project checklist reviewed
- Correct property address included
- Parcel or folio number included when required
- Complete relevant property boundaries shown
- Available lot dimensions included
- Existing house footprint shown
- Existing structures shown
- Proposed work clearly labeled
- Project length and width included
- Project height included when relevant
- Front property-line distance shown
- Both side property-line distances shown when applicable
- Rear property-line distance shown
- Distance between structures shown when relevant
- Known easements identified
- Adjoining street or alley labeled
- Driveway and parking shown
- Sidewalk and pedestrian access shown
- Flood information included when required
- Drainage information included when required
- Impervious area included when required
- Well and septic systems shown when applicable
- North arrow included
- Drawing scale identified
- Existing and proposed work distinguished
- Plot plan agrees with construction drawings
- Licensed survey or professional plans obtained when required
Related Florida and Permit Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get a plot plan for my Florida property?
Start with an existing survey, recorded subdivision plat, previous approved site plan or county property records. A drafting service can use those documents and the proposed project information to prepare a clear permit drawing.
Can I use my closing survey?
Possibly. A legible survey can be a useful base when it accurately shows the current property. Confirm whether the reviewing jurisdiction accepts it and whether it needs to be updated.
Can I use a county GIS map?
GIS information can support preliminary drafting, but it does not independently establish professionally surveyed legal boundaries.
Does every Florida 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.
What should a Florida 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.
Do I need a licensed property survey?
A survey may be required when legal boundaries are uncertain, the project is close to a property line, certified elevations are needed or the reviewing authority requests professionally verified information.
What happens when the property is in a flood zone?
Additional elevation, surveying, engineering or flood documentation may be required. Confirm the current flood requirements with the reviewing jurisdiction.
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 authority reviewing the application controls approval and may request revisions, a survey, engineering, architectural plans, flood documentation or other supporting materials.
Order Your Florida Plot Plan
Send us your property address, proposed project dimensions, intended location, photographs and any existing survey or recorded plat. We will prepare a clear residential site drawing based on the information supplied.
Order Your Plot Plan Tampa Site Plan GuideDisclaimer: This article provides general educational information and is not legal, surveying, engineering, architectural, zoning, floodplain, environmental or permitting advice. Florida requirements vary according to the jurisdiction, zoning district, property, project, recorded documents, flood conditions 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, flood documentation or another professionally certified document when required. Confirm current requirements with the authority reviewing the application.