A professional site plan is not automatically required for every residential permit.

Some homeowners successfully prepare their own drawings for straightforward projects. The problem begins when the drawing leaves important questions unanswered.

A permit reviewer should be able to determine:

• Which property is involved
• Where the property boundaries are located
• What structures already exist
• What work is proposed
• How large the project will be
• How far it will be from property lines
• Whether it affects a known easement or access area
• Whether the site plan agrees with the other permit drawings

When those answers are incomplete or difficult to verify, the reviewing authority may request revisions, additional measurements, a licensed survey or another supporting document.

What Is a Site Plan for a Permit?

A site plan—also commonly called a plot plan—is an overhead drawing showing how a property is arranged and where proposed construction will be located.

A residential permit site plan commonly shows:

• Property boundaries
• Available lot dimensions
• Existing house footprint
• Garages and accessory structures
• Decks, patios, pools and exterior paving
• Proposed construction
• Project dimensions
• Distances to property lines
• Known easements
• Driveways and pedestrian access
• Adjoining streets or alleys
• North arrow and drawing scale

The drawing allows reviewers to understand the project’s location without relying only on a written description such as “shed in the backyard” or “deck behind the house.”

For a broader overview, read Site Plan for Permit: What the Drawing Should Show .

The Real Standard: Can the Information Be Verified?

Permit reviewers are not normally judging whether the drawing looks artistic or expensive.

They need to determine whether the information is:

• Complete
• Readable
• Measurable
• Consistent
• Supported by reliable property information
• Suitable for the required type of review

A hand-drawn plan can sometimes meet that standard.

A professionally drafted plan can also fail when it is based on incorrect dimensions, an outdated survey or incomplete project information.

What Permit Reviewers Commonly Check First

A correction request does not necessarily mean the project is prohibited. It may mean the reviewer does not yet have enough information to verify it.

Read What Permit Reviewers Check First on a Site Plan .

Why DIY Site Plans Receive Corrections

1. The Property Boundaries Are Unclear

A site plan cannot show reliable project setbacks when the property boundaries are missing or based only on visible features.

Common problems include:

• Using a fence as the assumed property line
• Showing only part of the lot
• Leaving off available boundary dimensions
• Using an aerial screenshot without documenting the parcel
• Showing a lot shape that conflicts with the recorded plat

A fence, hedge, curb, sidewalk or edge of pavement may not follow the legal boundary.

2. Project Dimensions Are Missing

The proposed structure should be shown with enough measurements to define its complete shape.

Depending on the project, this may include:

• Overall length and width
• Irregular projections
• Stairs and landings
• Roof overhangs
• Equipment pads
• Connected paving
• Covered areas

A simple rectangle labeled “new shed” or “new deck” may not provide enough information for review.

3. Setbacks Are Not Measurable

The site plan should normally show the actual proposed distance from the project to the applicable property boundaries.

Depending on the property, this can include:

• Front property-line distance
• Left-side property-line distance
• Right-side property-line distance
• Rear property-line distance
• Street-side distance on a corner lot
• Distance between buildings
• Distance to a known easement

Showing only a generic zoning setback line may not be enough when the actual project distance is missing.

For more guidance, read Property Setbacks Explained for Homeowners .

4. Existing Structures Are Missing

The proposed project should be shown in the context of the complete relevant property.

Existing improvements may include:

• Main house
• Attached garage
• Detached garage
• Shed or workshop
• Deck or patio
• Swimming pool
• Driveway and walkways
• Retaining walls
• Other accessory structures

Leaving an existing structure off the drawing can make the available yard or building separation appear larger than it really is.

5. Existing and Proposed Work Look the Same

A reviewer should not have to guess which features already exist.

Use:

• Existing and proposed labels
• Different line weights
• Distinct hatch patterns
• Selective shading
• A clear legend

When part of an existing structure will be removed, label that work separately.

6. Easements and Site Restrictions Are Omitted

A project may meet its ordinary property-line setbacks and still conflict with:

• Utility easement
• Drainage easement
• Access easement
• Public right-of-way
• Recorded building line
• Floodplain restriction
• Private well or septic system
• Environmental buffer

Known restrictions shown on a survey, plat or permit checklist should be included when relevant.

7. The Drawing Does Not Match the Property

A neat drawing is not useful when it is based on outdated or inaccurate information.

Potential problems include:

• An old survey that predates an addition
• A missing garage or pool
• An incorrect house footprint
• Aerial imagery taken before recent construction
• Project dimensions that differ from the contractor plans
• Incorrect property orientation

Always compare the base information with current photographs and available property documents.

DIY vs Drafting Service

When a DIY Site Plan May Be Reasonable

A homeowner-prepared site plan may be a practical option when:

• The reviewing authority accepts owner-drawn plans
• The project is simple and clearly defined
• A current property survey is available
• The lot is rectangular and uncomplicated
• The project is comfortably inside the required setbacks
• No major easements affect the project area
• No grading, drainage or flood information is required
• The homeowner can produce a readable scaled drawing

Even in a simple case, confirm the current project checklist before drawing.

When a Drafting Service Can Be Worthwhile

Professional drafting may save time and reduce confusion when:

• The project is close to a property boundary
• The property is irregularly shaped
• Several structures must be shown
• The project includes stairs, landings or multiple sections
• Easements affect the available area
• The lot has an alley, corner frontage or unusual access
• Lot coverage or impervious area must be calculated
• The plan must coordinate with floor plans or elevations
• The first submission received correction comments
• The homeowner is not comfortable creating a scaled drawing

A drafting service can improve organization and readability, but it cannot make a noncompliant project compliant or replace missing professional services.

When a Licensed Surveyor or Engineer May Be Needed

A drafting service is not the correct substitute for every property or project.

A licensed land surveyor may be required when:

• Property boundaries are uncertain
• Property corners cannot be found
• The project is extremely close to a boundary
• Available records conflict
• A boundary dispute exists
• Certified elevations are required
• The authority requests a signed or sealed survey

An architect, engineer or other licensed professional may be required for:

• Structural design
• Drainage calculations
• Grading plans
• Retaining walls
• Flood-resistant design
• Complex foundations
• Professionally sealed construction documents

The Cost of an Incomplete Submission

An incomplete site plan can create additional work such as:

• Permit correction notices
• New property measurements
• Revised contractor drawings
• Additional survey work
• Repeated uploads to the permit portal
• Rescheduling construction
• Delaying material orders

The actual delay varies widely by jurisdiction and project. Some corrections can be resolved quickly, while others require new surveys, design changes or another formal review cycle.

The goal is not simply to make the drawing look polished. It is to provide the correct information before submission.

A Practical Site Plan Readability Test

Before submitting, ask:

• Is the correct property easy to identify?
• Are all relevant property boundaries shown?
• Can the existing house be identified immediately?
• Is the proposed work clearly labeled?
• Are the project dimensions visible?
• Are the property-line distances measurable?
• Are known easements and restrictions included?
• Are existing and proposed features visually different?
• Does the drawing match the construction plans?
• Is the north arrow and scale included?

When the answer to one of these questions is no, revise the drawing before submitting it.

Information to Gather Before Ordering a Site Plan

How the Drafting Process Works

Popular City Site Plan Services

Related Permit Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I draw my own site plan for a permit?

Possibly. Some authorities accept homeowner-prepared drawings when they are accurate, complete, readable and suitable for the project. Confirm the current requirements before preparing one.

Does a site plan need to be professionally drawn?

Not always. The requirements depend on the reviewing authority and project. Some applications accept owner-drawn plans, while others require a survey, professional certification or a specific drawing standard.

Why do DIY site plans receive correction comments?

Common causes include missing property boundaries, unclear project dimensions, absent setbacks, omitted structures, unreadable labels and information that conflicts with the permit application.

Is a drafted site plan the same as a survey?

No. A drafted site plan organizes supplied records and project information. A licensed survey professionally locates or certifies property boundaries, corners, structures or elevations.

Can a drafting service determine my legal property lines?

No. Legal boundary location and certification require a licensed land surveyor.

What should I provide to a site-plan drafter?

Provide the property address, project dimensions, intended location, photographs and any survey, plat, previous plan, contractor drawing or permit comments available.

What if I already submitted a DIY drawing?

Provide the submitted drawing and the correction notice. The revised plan should respond directly to each requested item rather than simply redrawing the same information.

Are USA Site Plans drawings signed or sealed?

No. USA Site Plans provides drafting services. Licensed surveying, architecture, engineering and other professional certification must be obtained separately when required.

Does a professionally drafted plan guarantee permit approval?

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

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