A complete site plan should allow the permit reviewer to understand the property and proposed project without guessing.

Residential projects such as pools, decks, sheds, garages, additions, fences, driveways, carports and patio covers often require a site plan showing where the proposed work will be placed.

The drawing usually needs to show the complete lot, existing buildings, proposed construction, project dimensions, distances to property lines, driveways, known easements and other information relevant to the application.

Permit requirements vary by jurisdiction and project type. This checklist covers the information commonly requested for residential review, but the current checklist published by the reviewing city or county should always control.

Example of a residential site plan showing the information commonly reviewed during a permit application.

Why Building Departments Request a Site Plan

A floor plan shows the inside of a building. Elevations show the outside walls and roof. A site plan shows where the project will be located on the property.

The reviewing authority may use the site plan to evaluate:

• Property boundaries
• Zoning setbacks
• Building separation
• Lot coverage
• Driveway and parking access
• Known easements
• Street and alley relationships
• Floodplain or drainage conditions
• Placement of accessory structures
• Consistency with the remaining permit drawings

The site plan should answer several basic questions:

• Which property is being reviewed?
• What currently exists on the lot?
• What new work is proposed?
• How large is the proposed project?
• Where will it be placed?
• How far is it from the property boundaries?
• Does it overlap a known easement?
• How is the property accessed?

For a broader explanation, read our Site Plan for Permit guide .

What Permit Reviewers Commonly Check First

Reviewers often begin with the information most likely to affect whether the proposed structure can legally fit on the property.

• Complete property boundaries
• Existing house and structures
• Clearly identified proposed work
• Project dimensions
• Setback distances
• Known easements
• Driveway and access information
• Drawing scale and north arrow
• Consistency with floor plans and elevations

When those items are missing or unclear, the reviewer may be unable to complete the zoning or site-layout review.

See What Reviewers Check First on a Site Plan for more detail.

Complete Site Plan Checklist for Permit Approval

1. Correct property address

The drawing should clearly identify the property involved in the application.

Include:

• Street number and street name
• City, state and ZIP code
• Parcel number when requested
• Lot and block information when available
• Subdivision name when relevant

The address on the site plan should match the permit application and other submitted documents.

2. Project title and description

Identify what the drawing relates to.

Examples include:

• Proposed detached garage
• Proposed swimming pool
• Proposed rear deck
• Proposed home addition
• Proposed driveway widening
• Proposed backyard shed

A short project description helps prevent confusion when several permit documents are reviewed together.

3. Complete property boundaries

Show the entire legal lot rather than only the area surrounding the proposed project.

The drawing should identify:

• Front property line
• Side property lines
• Rear property line
• Street-side line on a corner lot
• Angled or curved boundaries
• Access handles or unusual lot sections

Do not automatically treat a fence, hedge, curb or edge of lawn as the legal property boundary.

4. Lot dimensions

Available dimensions should explain the size and shape of the lot.

These may come from:

• A recorded subdivision plat
• An existing boundary survey
• Previous approved plans
• Recorded property documents
• Measurements supplied by the property owner

Irregular lots may require several boundary dimensions, bearings or curved sections.

5. Existing house

The complete footprint of the existing dwelling should normally be shown.

Include relevant features such as:

• Attached garage
• Covered porch
• Existing addition
• Covered patio
• Exterior stairs
• Major changes in the wall line

The proposed project is reviewed in relation to the existing house, so omitting part of the dwelling can make the plan incomplete.

6. Existing accessory structures

Show relevant structures and improvements already located on the lot.

• Detached garages
• Carports
• Sheds and storage buildings
• Decks and patios
• Pergolas and patio covers
• Swimming pools and spas
• Pool equipment
• Retaining walls
• Fences and gates when relevant

Existing structures can affect building separation, lot coverage, access and the available project area.

7. Proposed construction

The proposed work should be one of the easiest elements to identify.

Use:

• A clear “PROPOSED” label
• Different shading
• A distinct hatch pattern
• A heavier outline
• A different line style from existing work

The proposed footprint should include all relevant parts of the project, including stairs, landings, roof projections, decks, equipment pads or supporting posts when required.

8. Proposed project dimensions

Show the overall length and width of the proposed structure.

For an irregular project, include enough measurements to define its complete shape.

The site-plan dimensions should match:

• Floor plans
• Elevations
• Structural drawings
• Manufacturer plans
• The permit application

9. Front setback

Show the shortest relevant distance from the proposed work to the front property line.

The measurement point may depend on the project and local code. It may be measured from a wall, foundation, supporting post, roof edge or another defined part of the structure.

10. Side setbacks

Show the distance to both side property lines where relevant.

Corner lots may have:

• An interior side setback
• A larger street-side setback
• Intersection visibility restrictions
• Fence-height restrictions

Do not assume both side-yard requirements are identical.

11. Rear setback

Show the shortest distance from the proposed work to the rear property boundary.

Sheds, garages, pools and other backyard structures may have project-specific rear-yard rules.

For more guidance, read Property Setbacks Explained for Homeowners .

12. Distance between structures

Some projects need measurable separation from the existing house or another accessory structure.

This may apply to:

• Detached garages
• Sheds
• Accessory dwelling units
• Swimming pools
• Pool equipment
• Decks
• Carports

Building separation may be regulated by zoning, fire-safety requirements or project-specific rules.

13. Known easements

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

Common examples include:

• Utility easements
• Drainage easements
• Sewer easements
• Access easements
• Shared-driveway easements
• Rights of way

A proposed structure can meet the zoning setbacks and still be prohibited because it overlaps an easement.

14. Driveways and vehicle access

Show existing and proposed vehicle-access areas where relevant.

• Driveway location
• Driveway width
• Garage or carport connection
• Parking areas
• Vehicle crossover or curb cut
• Alley access
• Gates

This information is particularly important for garages, carports, additions, driveway widening and projects that remove existing parking.

15. Streets, alleys and sidewalks

Label the adjoining street and any secondary street frontage.

Also show relevant:

• Alleys
• Sidewalks
• Public rights of way
• Curbs
• Access lanes

16. North arrow

A north arrow allows the reviewing authority to orient the property.

It should be visible without taking up excessive space or covering important dimensions.

17. Drawing scale

Use a consistent drawing scale or provide enough accurate dimensions for the layout to be assessed.

Common residential scales include:

• 1 inch equals 10 feet
• 1 inch equals 20 feet
• 1 inch equals 30 feet
• 1 inch equals 40 feet

A graphic scale bar is useful because it can remain measurable when a PDF is printed at a different size.

18. Existing and proposed legend

A simple legend can explain the symbols, hatching and line styles used in the drawing.

The legend may identify:

• Existing structures
• Proposed structures
• Structures to be demolished
• Property boundaries
• Easements
• Fences
• Setback lines

19. Structures proposed for removal

If an existing shed, patio, driveway or other improvement will be removed, identify it clearly.

Use notes such as:

• Existing shed to be removed
• Existing concrete to be demolished
• Existing fence to be relocated
• Existing deck to be removed

20. Revision date

Include the preparation date and, where relevant, a revision date or revision number.

This helps the reviewer identify whether the submitted drawing reflects the most recent corrections.

Additional Requirements Some Projects May Need

A straightforward residential plan may not require all the items below. More complex sites or projects may need additional information.

Lot coverage

Some jurisdictions limit how much of the lot may be occupied or covered.

Calculations may include:

• The house
• Attached and detached garages
• Sheds
• Covered patios
• Decks
• Driveways
• Walkways
• Swimming pools
• Other impervious surfaces

Impervious-area calculations

An impervious-area calculation may be required when the project adds roofs, concrete, paving or other surfaces that prevent water from soaking into the ground.

Existing and proposed ground levels

Projects involving grading, retaining walls, sloping land or drainage may need:

• Existing levels
• Proposed levels
• Contours
• Finished floor elevation
• Cut-and-fill information

Drainage information

The reviewing authority may request:

• Surface-flow direction
• Stormwater pipes
• Drainage pits
• Downpipe locations
• Discharge points
• Overland flow paths

Utilities

Depending on the project, the plan may need to show:

• Water service
• Sanitary sewer
• Septic system
• Electric service
• Gas service
• Utility meters
• Underground service routes

Floodplain information

Properties within or near a regulated flood area may need flood-zone boundaries, flood elevations or additional specialist documentation.

Trees and landscaping

Planning or zoning review may require:

• Existing trees
• Trees proposed for removal
• Protected-tree areas
• Landscaping
• Screening
• Required open space

These additional items may require information from a licensed surveyor, engineer, landscape professional or another qualified specialist.

Site Plan Checklist by Project Type

Pool permit checklist

• Pool or spa outline
• Pool dimensions
• Distance to property lines
• Distance to the house
• Pool equipment location
• Decking and paved areas
• Fence and gate locations
• Known easements
• Utilities when relevant

Deck permit checklist

• Deck footprint
• Connection to the house
• Deck dimensions
• Height above grade when required
• Stairs and landings
• Supporting posts
• Distances to property lines
• Relationship to pools and accessory structures

Shed permit checklist

• Shed length and width
• Rear setback
• Side setbacks
• Distance to the house
• Known easements
• Foundation or slab when relevant
• Access to the structure

Garage permit checklist

• Garage footprint
• Structure dimensions
• Rear and side setbacks
• Distance to the house
• Driveway or alley access
• Garage-door orientation
• Additional paving
• Building separation

Home-addition checklist

• Complete existing house
• Proposed addition footprint
• Addition dimensions
• Updated front, side and rear setbacks
• Existing accessory structures
• Lot-coverage impact
• Structures proposed for removal
• Driveway and drainage changes

Driveway permit checklist

• Existing driveway
• Proposed paving
• Driveway width
• Street and sidewalk
• Curb cut or vehicle crossover
• Parking spaces
• Property boundaries
• Drainage direction when required

Fence permit checklist

• Proposed fence alignment
• Fence height
• Gate locations
• Street frontage
• Driveway visibility
• Pool-barrier relationship
• Known easements
• Retaining walls when relevant

Documents to Gather Before Preparing the Site Plan

Collecting reliable information first can reduce drafting questions and help avoid inaccurate assumptions.

Useful documents include:

• Existing boundary survey
• Recorded subdivision plat
• Previous approved site plan
• Builder drawings
• Deed or title documents
• HOA plans
• Manufacturer drawings
• Contractor plans
• City or county permit checklist
• Previous correction comments

Also prepare:

• Project dimensions
• A hand sketch
• A marked aerial image
• Photographs of the project area
• Distances from the project to property lines
• Known easement information

Final Review Before Submission

Common Site Plan Checklist Mistakes

• Showing only the project area instead of the complete lot
• Using a fence as the legal property boundary
• Omitting the existing house
• Leaving accessory buildings off the drawing
• Not clearly labelling proposed work
• Missing project dimensions
• Missing setback measurements
• Ignoring known easements
• No north arrow
• No drawing scale
• Dimensions that conflict with floor plans
• Using an outdated aerial image without verification
• Submitting a blurry screenshot
• Failing to review the jurisdiction’s checklist

Read Why Site Plans Get Rejected for Permits for additional examples.

Site Plan Requirements Vary by Location

There is no single checklist that applies to every property in the United States.

Requirements may vary by:

• State
• City or county
• Zoning district
• Subdivision
• Project type
• Lot configuration
• Structure size and height
• Floodplain conditions
• Historic or design overlays

Use the current checklist issued by the city, county or other authority reviewing the property. The city guides below provide a useful starting point for several common service areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What must be included on a permit site plan?

A residential permit site plan commonly includes property boundaries, lot dimensions, existing structures, proposed work, project dimensions, setbacks, easements, access areas, a north arrow and a drawing scale.

Does every project require the same checklist?

No. Requirements vary according to the jurisdiction, zoning district, property and project type.

Can I draw my own site plan?

Some permit authorities accept homeowner-prepared drawings for straightforward projects. The drawing must still meet the applicable checklist and be accurate, readable and complete.

Do I need a survey?

Not always. A current survey may be required when property boundaries are uncertain, the proposed work is close to a lot line or the reviewing authority requests certified information.

Should the complete property be shown?

Usually, yes. Showing the complete lot helps the reviewer understand all boundaries, structures, access areas and the overall relationship of the proposed project to the property.

How should proposed work be identified?

Use a clear “PROPOSED” label and a different hatch, shading or line style from existing structures.

Why are setbacks important?

Setbacks show how far the project is from the property boundaries. Missing dimensions can prevent the reviewing authority from confirming zoning compliance.

Should easements be shown?

Known easements should be shown when relevant because they may restrict where construction can be placed.

Will following the checklist guarantee approval?

No. The reviewing authority controls approval and may request revisions, a licensed survey, engineering, drainage information or other documents.

Final Checklist Reminder

A strong permit site plan should clearly show the complete property, existing structures, proposed work, project dimensions, setbacks, known easements, access areas, north arrow and drawing scale.

The drawing should also match the remaining permit documents and follow the current checklist issued by the authority reviewing the application.

Taking a few minutes to review every item before submission can reduce avoidable questions and correction requests.

Disclaimer: This article provides general educational information and is not legal, surveying, engineering, architectural, zoning or permitting advice. Requirements vary according to the property, jurisdiction and project type. A drafted site plan does not establish legal property boundaries or replace a licensed survey, engineering or other professional documentation when required. Confirm current requirements with the authority reviewing your application.