Site Plan for Permit in Raleigh, NC | Residential Plans

Residential Raleigh permit drawings

Planning an addition, deck, screened porch, detached garage, shed, swimming pool, driveway, fence, patio or another residential project in Raleigh, North Carolina? Your permit package may need a clear site plan showing the complete property, existing improvements and proposed work.

Order Your Raleigh Site Plan View Pricing Permit Site Plan Guide
Quick answer

Raleigh requires a site plan for most projects involving site work. Depending on the project, the City may accept a certified survey showing the proposed work, an existing survey with a separate marked-up copy, or a detailed no-survey site plan for certain qualifying minor projects. City staff decides whether the submitted property information is sufficient.

Residential site plan for permit in Raleigh North Carolina showing property lines house driveway setbacks dimensions easements and proposed improvements
Example of a previously drafted Raleigh residential site plan showing property boundaries, structures, access, dimensions, easements and other site information.

A residential site plan—also commonly called a plot plan—is an overhead drawing showing how a project fits within the complete property.

It allows permit and zoning reviewers to understand:

  • Which property is being developed
  • What buildings and improvements already exist
  • What work is being proposed
  • The proposed project’s length, width and location
  • Distances to property lines and other structures
  • Whether easements or utilities affect the project
  • Whether a well, septic system or repair area is nearby
  • How much new impervious surface will be added
  • Whether drainage, streams or floodplain conditions apply
  • Whether the site plan agrees with the remaining permit documents

A clear site plan cannot guarantee permit approval. It provides measurable property and project information that can be reviewed with the permit application and other required drawings.

Need a Residential Site Plan for Raleigh?

Send us your property address, project dimensions, intended location, photographs and any survey, recorded plat, contractor drawing or permit comment you have. We can organise the supplied information into a clear residential site drawing.

Order Your Site Plan View the Site Plan Checklist

What Is a Raleigh Residential Permit Site Plan?

A residential site plan is a scaled or fully dimensioned drawing of a property as viewed from above.

It commonly shows:

  • Property boundaries
  • Lot dimensions
  • Adjoining streets and rights-of-way
  • The existing house
  • Garages and accessory structures
  • Decks, porches and patios
  • Driveways and parking areas
  • Proposed construction
  • Distances to property lines
  • Known easements and utilities
  • Wells and septic systems when applicable
  • Streams, buffers and floodplain areas when applicable
  • Existing and proposed impervious surfaces
  • Trees and tree-conservation areas when relevant
  • A north arrow and drawing scale

A site plan is different from a floor plan.

A floor plan shows rooms, walls, doors, windows and interior circulation. A site plan shows where the building and exterior improvements sit within the lot.

Depending on the project, Raleigh may also require:

  • Floor plans
  • Exterior elevations
  • Building sections
  • Foundation and structural drawings
  • Equipment specifications
  • Electrical, plumbing or mechanical documents
  • Lot Grading Plan
  • Stormwater calculations
  • Floodplain documentation
  • A survey prepared by a North Carolina-licensed land surveyor
  • Drawings signed or sealed by an appropriate licensed professional

Raleigh’s Three Site-Plan Documentation Options

Raleigh’s current minor-permit guidance describes three ways to document the property and proposed work.

Option 1: Original certified survey Submit a survey signed and sealed by a licensed land surveyor with the proposed project shown on the survey.
Option 2: Existing survey plus supplemental copy Submit the original existing-conditions survey and a separate copy on which the proposed work is drawn and labelled. The surveyor’s credentials must be redacted from the marked-up copy.
Option 3: Site plan without an existing survey For certain qualifying minor projects, submit a detailed drawing showing the property lines, streets, rights-of-way, improvements, dimensions and relevant property features.

The no-survey option is limited to listed project types, including:

  • Decks
  • Porches
  • Patios
  • Fences
  • Accessory structures no larger than 500 square feet and no taller than 15 feet
  • Residential vehicular-surface areas that are not driveways
  • HVAC equipment
  • Generators
  • Second- and third-story additions contained within the existing building footprint

The no-survey allowance does not apply to residential driveways.

City staff reviews the submitted document and may still request an official survey because of:

  • Uncertain property boundaries
  • Recorded easements
  • Riparian buffers
  • Public infrastructure
  • Property-line proximity
  • Other site-specific conditions

Official source: City of Raleigh — Site Plan Documentation for Minor Permits .

A no-survey site plan does not certify the boundaries

A drafted site plan can use available plats, GIS records, aerial imagery, photographs and supplied measurements. It does not independently establish legal property boundaries. If a later survey reveals a discrepancy, the property owner may be responsible for relocating or removing the improvement.

Confirm the Property’s Raleigh Jurisdiction

A Raleigh mailing address does not always mean a property is inside the Raleigh city limits.

The site may be:

  • Inside Raleigh city limits
  • Inside Raleigh’s extraterritorial jurisdiction
  • Under Wake County jurisdiction
  • Inside another municipality

Raleigh’s extraterritorial jurisdiction—commonly called the ETJ—is outside the city limits but remains subject to Raleigh zoning and building regulations.

Use iMAPS to research:

  • Corporate limits
  • Planning jurisdiction
  • Parcel identification
  • Wake County tax information
  • Base zoning
  • Overlay districts
  • Recorded-map information
  • Streams and flood hazards
  • Other regulatory layers

Online maps are useful research tools, but their parcel lines should not automatically be treated as surveyed legal boundaries.

Official sources: Raleigh Extraterritorial Jurisdiction and Find My Zoning and iMAPS .

Projects That Commonly Need a Raleigh Site Plan

Home additions Rear additions, side additions, sunrooms, attached garages, expanded living areas and other work affecting the house footprint.
Decks and porches Open decks, screened porches, balconies, stairs, landings, covered patios and similar outdoor structures.
Sheds and garages Storage sheds, detached garages, carports, greenhouses, gazebos, workshops and pool houses.
Pools and spas In-ground pools, above-ground pools, hot tubs, pool decks, equipment pads, barriers and gates.
Driveways and parking New driveways, driveway widening, relocated access, parking pads, aprons and sidewalk connections.
Fences and gates Privacy fencing, pool barriers, corner-lot fences, street-facing fences and changes in fence location or height.
Patios and hardscape Concrete patios, pavers, terraces, walkways, retaining walls and other impervious surfaces.
Accessory dwelling units Detached, attached or internal secondary dwellings following the applicable Raleigh residential permit process.

What a Raleigh Residential Site Plan Should Show

Complete property The full lot rather than only the immediate project area.
Existing conditions The house, garages, sheds, decks, patios, pools, driveways and other improvements.
Proposed project The complete proposed footprint, dimensions, stairs, projections and associated paving.
Property-line distances Measurable front, side and rear distances from the proposed work.
Easements and utilities Known utility, drainage, sewer, access and other restrictions.
Impervious surfaces Existing and proposed roofs, paving, decks, pools and other built-upon areas.
Environmental conditions Streams, buffers, floodplains, drainage features, wells, septic systems and trees where relevant.
Scale and orientation North arrow, drawing scale, dimensions, street names and clear labels.

Property address and parcel information

Include:

  • Complete property address
  • Parcel identification number when available
  • Wake County real-estate identification number when useful
  • Project title
  • Short scope description
  • Drawing or revision date

The address and project description should agree with the permit application.

Complete property boundaries

Show:

  • Front property line
  • Both side property lines
  • Rear property line
  • Street-side boundary on a corner lot
  • Angled or irregular boundary segments
  • Available lot-line dimensions
  • Adjoining streets
  • Right-of-way boundaries

Do not automatically use a fence, hedge, wall or edge of paving as the legal property boundary.

Existing buildings and improvements

Relevant existing features can include:

  • Main dwelling
  • Existing additions
  • Attached and detached garages
  • Carports
  • Storage sheds
  • Decks and porches
  • Patios and walkways
  • Swimming pools and spas
  • Driveways and parking areas
  • Retaining walls
  • Fences and gates

Existing improvements can affect setbacks, building separation, access, impervious-area calculations and the available project location.

Proposed construction

Clearly distinguish the proposed project from existing conditions.

Use:

  • A “PROPOSED” label
  • A distinct hatch pattern
  • A heavier outline
  • A different line style
  • An existing-and-proposed legend

Show the full proposed footprint, including relevant:

  • Exterior walls
  • Supporting posts
  • Deck or porch platforms
  • Stairs and landings
  • Roof or eave projections
  • Pool equipment
  • Equipment pads
  • New paving
  • Structures proposed for removal

Project dimensions

Show the proposed length and width.

An irregular project should include enough dimensions to define its complete shape.

The site-plan dimensions should agree with:

  • Permit application
  • Floor plans
  • Exterior elevations
  • Foundation plans
  • Structural drawings
  • Contractor or manufacturer plans

Setback and separation measurements

Show measurable distances from the proposed project to:

  • Front property line
  • Both side property lines
  • Rear property line
  • Street-side boundary on a corner lot
  • The existing house
  • Other accessory structures
  • Known easements
  • Adjoining rights-of-way

Do not leave reviewers to estimate a setback from the drawing scale.

Streets and rights-of-way

Identify:

  • Adjoining street names
  • Right-of-way boundaries
  • Public sidewalk
  • Curb line
  • Driveway connection
  • Parking area
  • Other relevant access features

The no-survey site-plan guidance calls for distances from existing and proposed improvements to adjoining streets and rights-of-way.

Easements and utility features

Show known:

  • Utility easements
  • Drainage easements
  • Public sewer easements
  • Access easements
  • Shared-driveway easements
  • Water meters
  • Sewer cleanouts
  • Stormwater inlets
  • Manhole lids
  • Overhead or underground utilities

A project can satisfy a zoning setback and still conflict with an easement.

Wells and septic systems

For properties served by private systems, show:

  • Private well
  • Septic tank
  • Wastewater lines
  • Drain field
  • Designated repair area
  • Required separation from the proposed work

Projects involving private wells or septic service may require Wake County Environmental Services approval before the Raleigh permit application is filed.

Trees and tree-conservation areas

Identify relevant:

  • City trees
  • Tree Conservation Areas
  • Trees near excavation
  • Trees affected by driveways or utility work
  • Trees proposed for removal when required

Tree conditions can affect project placement, construction access and grading.

Streams, buffers and floodplain conditions

Show known:

  • Streams
  • Riparian buffers
  • Floodplain boundaries
  • Drainage channels
  • Swales
  • Stormwater easements
  • Other drainage features

Additional engineering or floodplain documentation may be required when these features affect the project.

North arrow, scale and labels

Include:

  • North arrow
  • Written drawing scale
  • Graphic scale bar when useful
  • Readable dimensions
  • Clearly identified measurement units
  • Existing-and-proposed labels
  • Legend for line types and symbols

Raleigh Zoning and Setbacks

There is no single setback that applies to every Raleigh residential project.

The controlling rules can depend on:

  • Base zoning district
  • Overlay district
  • Lot size and configuration
  • Corner-lot status
  • Building type
  • Project height
  • Principal or accessory structure classification
  • Alley relationship
  • Residential Infill Compatibility standards
  • Previous zoning approvals or conditions

The City describes iMAPS as the easiest and most accurate tool for identifying Raleigh zoning and overlay information.

Read Setbacks and Zoning: How to Find the Rules for Your Property and Property Setbacks Explained for Homeowners .

Official source: City of Raleigh — Find My Zoning .

Accessory-Structure Placement

Raleigh requires a permit for an accessory structure regardless of size.

The current City guidance says:

  • A structure under 12 feet in every direction—length, width and height—generally receives a zoning permit.
  • A structure exceeding 12 feet in any one direction generally requires a building permit.

The Raleigh UDO also includes property-placement standards.

Examples include:

  • An accessory structure may not generally be closer than six feet to another building or structure on the same lot.
  • An accessory structure with no more than 150 square feet of floor area and no more than 10 feet in height has a minimum five-foot side and rear setback in residential districts.
  • Larger accessory-structure setbacks depend on lot size and other UDO standards.
  • Accessory structures generally have a minimum four-foot alley setback.
  • A garage door facing an alley generally requires either a four-foot setback or a setback of at least 20 feet.

These are general UDO provisions. Overlay districts, zoning conditions, easements and property-specific circumstances can change the controlling requirement.

Official sources: Accessory Structures and Additions and Raleigh UDO Section 6.7.2 .

Impervious-Surface Requirements

Impervious surfaces are areas where water cannot readily soak into the ground.

They can include:

  • House and addition roofs
  • Garages and sheds
  • Driveways and parking pads
  • Patios and walkways
  • Pool decks
  • Concrete, asphalt, brick and stone surfaces
  • Some decks and artificial surfaces

Raleigh asks applicants to show existing and proposed impervious areas as separate line items.

A useful calculation table may include:

  • Existing house
  • Existing driveway
  • Existing patio or deck
  • Other existing impervious area
  • Proposed addition or accessory structure
  • Proposed paving
  • Total existing impervious area
  • Total proposed impervious area

Maximum impervious limits depend on when the lot was recorded, the size of the lot, the zoning district and subdivision-specific approvals.

For qualifying grandfathered residential lots created before May 2001 and measuring one acre or less, Raleigh currently lists these zoning-based maximums:

  • R-1: 20%
  • R-2: 25%
  • R-4: 38%
  • R-6: 51%
  • R-10 and other zoning districts: 65%

Lots created after May 2001 may have no general maximum or may have a property-specific limit shown on the subdivision plat or survey.

Do not apply the percentages above until the lot’s creation date, zoning and recorded restrictions have been confirmed.

Official source: Stormwater for Residential Homeowners .

Lot Grading Plan Triggers

Raleigh’s residential project pages state that a project must meet the Lot Grading Plan requirements when it:

  • Adds 800 square feet or more of impervious surface; or
  • Concentrates runoff into a channel, pipe, downspout or similar discharge point.

A Lot Grading Plan may require information beyond a standard residential site plan, such as:

  • Existing and proposed elevations
  • Drainage direction
  • Swales
  • Discharge points
  • Retaining walls
  • Finished-floor information
  • Floodplain or stream information
  • Professional design or certification

A basic drafted site plan does not replace stormwater, grading or drainage engineering when those services are required.

Home Addition Site Plans

A home addition changes the footprint, height or configuration of the principal dwelling.

Examples include:

  • Rear or side additions
  • Expanded kitchens or living areas
  • Sunrooms
  • Attached garages
  • Second-floor additions
  • Dormers
  • Garage enclosures
  • Attached in-law suites

An addition site plan may need to show:

  • Complete existing house footprint
  • Proposed addition footprint
  • Addition dimensions
  • Relevant roof projections
  • Distances to property lines
  • Distance to accessory structures
  • Existing and proposed impervious area
  • Easements and utilities
  • Trees near construction
  • Streams, floodplain or drainage features

Separate architectural and structural plans explain how the addition will be built.

Deck, Porch and Balcony Site Plans

Decks, screened porches and balconies generally require a site plan and construction drawings.

The site plan may show:

  • Deck or porch footprint
  • Outside dimensions
  • Connection to the house
  • Stairs and landings
  • Roofed or covered areas
  • Distances to property lines
  • Nearby accessory structures
  • Easements and utilities
  • Well, septic and repair areas
  • Existing and proposed impervious area

Raleigh requires elevations for screened porches and other roofed structures. The elevation drawing should show wall heights and grade levels.

Properties served by septic systems require Wake County review to confirm that the proposed footprint does not affect the wastewater system, repair area or well setbacks.

Official source: Building a Screened-in Porch, Deck or Balcony .

Shed, Garage and Accessory-Structure Site Plans

A useful accessory-structure site plan should show:

  • Complete proposed footprint
  • Length, width and height
  • Door and garage-door location when relevant
  • Distances to all property lines
  • Distance to the house and other buildings
  • Driveway or alley access
  • Roof projections
  • Easements
  • Utility features
  • Wells and septic systems
  • Tree-conservation areas
  • Existing and proposed impervious area

An accessory structure no larger than 500 square feet and no taller than 15 feet may qualify for Raleigh’s no-existing-survey site-plan option. This does not mean every structure of that size will be accepted without a survey.

City staff may request certified property information when boundaries, easements, buffers or infrastructure create uncertainty.

Pool and Spa Site Plans

Raleigh requires permits and inspections for residential pools, spas and hot tubs capable of holding more than 24 inches of water.

Swimming pools require building and electrical permits. A plumbing permit may also be required when the project connects to the home’s water supply.

The current pool application guidance calls for a survey showing existing conditions and proposed work.

A pool survey or site plan may identify:

  • Pool or spa footprint
  • Pool deck
  • Property-line distances
  • Existing house and accessory structures
  • Pumps, filters and equipment
  • Barrier and gate locations
  • Public sewer easements
  • Drainage easements
  • Wells and septic systems
  • Existing and proposed impervious area

Pools, decks, pool equipment and fences may not be installed within public sewer easements or public or private drainage easements without the required approval.

Official source: Installing a Pool or Spa .

Fence Site Plans

Raleigh requires a zoning permit when a fence is installed.

Permit review may also be required when:

  • A fence is moved
  • At least 50% of an existing fence is replaced
  • The fence material changes
  • The fence height changes
  • The fence location changes

A fence site plan should show:

  • Complete proposed fence route
  • Property boundaries
  • Fence height
  • Fence material or design
  • Pedestrian gates
  • Driveway gates
  • Adjoining streets and sidewalks
  • Driveways and sight-distance areas
  • Existing buildings
  • Swimming pools when relevant
  • Known easements and utility features

Corner lots, street-facing fences and front-yard fencing can require additional visibility and Street Design Manual review.

Official source: City of Raleigh — Fences .

Residential Driveway Site Plans

New driveways and changes to existing driveways follow a more specific documentation process.

Raleigh currently requires:

  • Residential Permit Application
  • Residential Site Plan Checklist
  • A survey showing the proposed driveway and dimensions

The no-existing-survey minor-permit option does not apply to driveways.

A driveway survey or site plan should show:

  • Existing and proposed driveway
  • Driveway width
  • Street connection
  • Driveway apron
  • Right-of-way boundary
  • Public sidewalk
  • Curb and street pavement
  • House and garage
  • Property boundaries
  • Nearby trees and utilities
  • Drainage structures
  • Existing and proposed impervious area

Work in or near the right-of-way can require contractor bonding, insurance and additional transportation review.

A pre-pour inspection is required before concrete is placed.

Official source: Residential Driveway Installation .

Accessory Dwelling Unit Site Plans

Raleigh permits attached, detached and internal accessory dwelling units.

A detached ADU follows the City’s new single-family dwelling process. An attached ADU that adds square footage follows the accessory-structure and addition process.

An ADU site plan may need to show:

  • Primary dwelling
  • Proposed ADU footprint
  • Property-line distances
  • Building separation
  • Vehicle and pedestrian access
  • Water and sewer service
  • Driveway and parking areas
  • Impervious-area calculations
  • Easements
  • Tree and stormwater information

Official source: Building an Accessory Dwelling Unit .

Historic Properties and Certificates of Appropriateness

Exterior changes to locally designated historic properties require a Certificate of Appropriateness before work begins.

This can apply to properties within:

  • A General Historic Overlay District
  • A regulated portion of a Streetside Historic Overlay District
  • A designated Raleigh Historic Landmark

Historic review can affect:

  • Additions
  • Accessory structures
  • Decks and porches
  • Fences and walls
  • Driveways and paving
  • Pools and exterior equipment
  • Demolition or relocation

Raleigh updated its Certificate of Appropriateness process effective January 2, 2026. Check the current instructions before preparing the final permit package.

Official source: Certificate of Appropriateness .

Site Plan vs Survey vs Engineering Plan

Drafted site plan Organises available surveys, plats, records, photographs and customer-supplied measurements into a clear property and project layout. It does not independently establish legal boundaries.
Licensed property survey Uses legal records, field measurements and accepted surveying methods to document property boundaries, improvements and other certified property information.
Engineering or technical plan Provides professional design, calculations or certification for grading, drainage, stormwater, floodplain, structural or other technical conditions.

A licensed survey may be required when:

  • Property corners cannot be identified
  • The project is close to a lot line
  • The lot is irregular
  • Available documents conflict
  • An easement affects the project area
  • A stream buffer or public-infrastructure issue exists
  • Certified elevations are required
  • The City requests signed and sealed documentation

A standard drafted site plan does not replace:

  • Licensed boundary survey
  • Structural engineering
  • Grading or drainage design
  • Floodplain analysis
  • Architectural plans
  • Professional signatures or seals

Raleigh’s Current Permit Submission Process

Raleigh uses its Permit and Development Portal to manage many residential permit and development applications.

The portal allows registered users to:

  • Monitor project activity
  • Receive review notifications
  • View comments
  • Upload plans and documents for supported application types
  • Pay fees
  • Schedule inspections

Not every residential project follows exactly the same intake route. Some project pages instruct applicants to use the portal, while others still identify an email-submission process.

Follow the current instructions on the City page for the specific project rather than assuming one submission method applies to every permit.

1 Confirm the jurisdiction Determine whether the property is inside Raleigh, in the Raleigh ETJ or under another authority.
2 Research the property Check zoning, overlays, survey records, easements, stormwater conditions, historic status, well and septic information.
3 Choose the documentation route Determine whether the project requires a certified survey, marked-up survey or qualifying no-survey site plan.
4 Prepare the plans Show the existing property, proposed work, dimensions, setbacks, easements and required calculations.
5 Complete the forms Prepare the Residential Permit Application and any project-specific checklists or affidavits.
6 Submit the package Use the Permit and Development Portal or the submission method listed on the relevant project page.
7 Review the comments Use the portal to monitor review status and read correction requests.
8 Coordinate revisions Update the site plan and every other affected document before resubmitting.

Official source: Permit and Development Portal Help Center .

What to Send With Your Raleigh Site Plan Order

  • Complete property address
  • Parcel identification number when available
  • Description of the proposed project
  • Proposed length, width and height
  • Preferred location within the property
  • Existing certified survey
  • Recorded subdivision plat
  • Previous site plan
  • Architectural or contractor drawings
  • Manufacturer plans when applicable
  • A marked-up sketch showing the project location
  • Measurements to property lines
  • Photographs of the property
  • Photographs of the proposed work area
  • Driveway and access information
  • Known easement information
  • Well and septic information
  • Stream, floodplain or drainage information
  • Tree information when relevant
  • Permit comments already received

Complete source information helps reduce uncertainty while the drawing is being prepared.

How Our Raleigh Site Plan Drafting Service Works

  1. Place your order. Select the site-plan option matching the requested level of detail.
  2. Provide the property address. Confirm that Raleigh is the correct reviewing jurisdiction.
  3. Upload the property documents. Send any survey, recorded plat, previous plan or permit comments.
  4. Describe the project. Provide the proposed dimensions, use and height.
  5. Mark the proposed location. Send a sketch, photographs, architectural plans or contractor drawings.
  6. Review the completed draft. Check the project location, dimensions, labels and property relationships.
  7. Confirm the complete permit package. Obtain any separate surveying, architectural, structural, stormwater or engineering documents required by Raleigh.

The usefulness and accuracy of the drawing depend on the surveys, records, measurements, photographs and project information supplied.

Common Raleigh Site Plan Problems

  • The wrong permitting jurisdiction is assumed
  • Only the immediate project area is shown
  • Property boundaries are missing or estimated from a fence
  • Lot dimensions are omitted
  • The existing house is incomplete
  • Garages, sheds, decks or patios are missing
  • The proposed project is not clearly identified
  • Project dimensions are missing
  • Setback measurements are unclear
  • Existing and proposed impervious areas are not separated
  • Easements are omitted
  • Well or septic information is missing
  • Streams, buffers or floodplain conditions are overlooked
  • The driveway is submitted under the no-survey option
  • The site plan conflicts with the floor plans or elevations
  • Historic status is discovered after the design is complete
  • A drafted plan is submitted where a certified survey is required
  • A standard site plan is submitted where a Lot Grading Plan or engineering is required

A complete drawing cannot eliminate every review comment, but it can reduce corrections caused by missing or inconsistent information.

Read Why Site Plans Get Rejected for Permits .

Raleigh Residential Site Plan Checklist

  • Correct jurisdiction confirmed
  • Correct property address
  • Parcel information included when available
  • Complete legal lot shown
  • Property-line dimensions included
  • Adjoining streets labelled
  • Right-of-way boundaries shown
  • Existing house shown
  • Accessory structures shown
  • Decks, porches and patios shown
  • Driveway and parking shown
  • Proposed work clearly labelled
  • Project length and width included
  • Project height reviewed when relevant
  • Front property-line distance shown
  • Both side property-line distances shown
  • Rear property-line distance shown
  • Distance to other structures shown
  • Known easements shown
  • Utility features shown when known
  • Well and septic systems shown when applicable
  • Streams and buffers shown when applicable
  • Floodplain information shown when applicable
  • Tree Conservation Areas shown when applicable
  • Existing impervious areas listed
  • Proposed impervious areas listed
  • Lot Grading Plan requirement reviewed
  • North arrow included
  • Drawing scale identified
  • Existing and proposed work visually distinguished
  • Site plan agrees with the remaining drawings
  • Certified survey obtained when required
  • Professional plans obtained when required

Related Permit Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every Raleigh residential project require a site plan?

No. Interior repairs and some limited work may not require one. Raleigh states that a site plan is required for most projects involving site work.

Does Raleigh always require a certified survey?

No. Certain qualifying minor projects may use an existing survey with a supplemental copy or a detailed site plan prepared without an existing survey. City staff determines whether the submitted information is sufficient.

Can I mark the proposed project on an existing survey?

For qualifying projects, Raleigh allows the original existing-conditions survey to be submitted with a separate copy showing and labelling the proposed work. The surveyor’s identifying credentials should be redacted from the marked-up copy.

Can I use the no-survey option for a driveway?

No. Raleigh’s current minor-permit guidance excludes driveways from the no-existing-survey option. New or modified driveways require a survey showing the proposed work and dimensions.

Do small sheds need a permit?

Yes. Raleigh requires a permit regardless of accessory-structure size. A structure under 12 feet in every direction generally receives a zoning permit, while a structure exceeding 12 feet in any direction generally requires a building permit.

Can a small shed use the no-survey site-plan option?

Possibly. The current no-survey allowance includes accessory structures no larger than 500 square feet and no taller than 15 feet. City staff may still require a survey based on property conditions.

Do I need to show impervious surfaces?

Residential projects affecting impervious area should identify existing and proposed built-upon surfaces. The property’s allowable amount depends on the zoning, lot size, recording date and recorded subdivision conditions.

When is a Lot Grading Plan required?

Raleigh project guidance states that the Lot Grading Plan requirements apply when a project adds at least 800 square feet of impervious surface or concentrates runoff into a channel, pipe, downspout or similar point.

Do I need Wake County approval for a septic system or well?

Projects on properties with private wells or septic systems may require Wake County Environmental Services approval before the Raleigh application is submitted.

Do historic properties need additional approval?

Exterior changes to a locally designated historic property require a Certificate of Appropriateness before work begins.

Can a drafted site plan establish my property lines?

No. A drafted plan uses available property information but does not independently locate or certify legal boundaries. A licensed surveyor must provide boundary certification when required.

Are USA Site Plans drawings signed or sealed?

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

Will a Raleigh site plan guarantee permit approval?

No. The City of Raleigh and any participating agencies control approval and may request corrections, a licensed survey, a Lot Grading Plan, calculations, engineering or other supporting documents.

Order Your Raleigh Residential Site Plan

Send us your Raleigh property address, proposed project dimensions, intended location, photographs and any survey, recorded plat or construction drawing you have. We will prepare a clear residential site drawing based on the supplied information.

Order Your Raleigh Site Plan View Pricing

Official Raleigh Resources

  1. Site Plan Documentation for Minor Permits
  2. Raleigh Extraterritorial Jurisdiction
  3. Find My Zoning and iMAPS
  4. Accessory Structures and Additions
  5. Raleigh UDO — Accessory Structures
  6. Building a Screened-in Porch, Deck or Balcony
  7. Stormwater for Residential Homeowners
  8. Installing a Pool or Spa
  9. Residential Fences
  10. Residential Driveway Installation
  11. Building an Accessory Dwelling Unit
  12. Certificate of Appropriateness
  13. Permit and Development Portal Help Center
  14. How to Get a Residential Permit

Disclaimer: This article provides general educational information and is not legal, surveying, engineering, architectural, zoning, environmental or permitting advice. Raleigh requirements vary according to the property, jurisdiction, zoning district, project type, easements, utilities, stormwater conditions, historic status and current regulations. USA Site Plans is an independent drafting service and is not affiliated with the City of Raleigh, Wake County or another government agency. A drafted site plan does not establish legal property boundaries or replace a licensed survey, grading plan, engineering, architecture or another professionally certified document when required. Confirm current requirements with the authority reviewing the application.