Site Plan for Permit in Richmond, VA

Example of a Richmond residential site plan showing property boundaries, the existing house, driveway, accessory structures, setback dimensions, and the surrounding lot layout.

Planning a deck, detached garage, shed, home addition, porch, swimming pool, fence, driveway, patio, accessory dwelling unit, or other residential project in Richmond? A clear site plan may be one of the most important documents in your permit application.

A site plan for permit in Richmond, VA is a scaled overhead drawing of the property. It shows the legal lot boundaries, existing buildings, proposed construction, setback measurements, driveways, walkways, streets, alleys, easements, and other features that can affect approval.

Richmond’s residential plan-review guidance identifies a site plan or survey as required for new homes, additions, and decks. The drawing should show the property lines, existing and proposed structures, additions, decks, driveways, walkways, easements, structure dimensions, and distances from structures to adjacent property lines.^[2]

This guide explains what should appear on a Richmond permit site plan, how zoning and setbacks affect project placement, when stormwater or historic review may apply, and what homeowners should collect before submitting their plans.

What is a Richmond permit site plan?

A residential site plan, sometimes called a plot plan, shows the property as viewed from above.

Its purpose is to explain:

• What currently exists on the property
• What the homeowner proposes to construct or change
• Where the proposed work will be placed
• How far the project will be from each property boundary
• Whether easements, streets, utilities, drainage, or zoning restrictions affect the location

The site plan answers the question, “Where will the project be built?”

Other drawings in the permit package answer, “How will it be built?”

• Floor plan: Shows rooms, walls, doors, windows, stairs, fixtures, and interior dimensions.
• Foundation plan: Shows footings, slabs, piers, foundation walls, reinforcement, and structural dimensions.
• Framing plan: Shows joists, beams, posts, rafters, headers, trusses, and structural spans.
• Exterior elevations: Show the roof, doors, windows, materials, building height, and surrounding grade.
• Building sections: Show how foundations, floors, walls, and roofs connect.
• Grading or drainage plan: Shows elevations, contours, swales, runoff paths, stormwater facilities, erosion controls, and cut or fill where required.

A permit site plan does not replace architectural, structural, engineering, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, erosion-control, or drainage plans when those documents are required.

For a broader introduction, read our

site plan for permit guide
.

When is a Richmond building permit required?

Richmond states that a building permit must be obtained before beginning new construction or alterations to a building.^[1]

Residential projects that may require permits or plan review include:

• New houses
• Home additions
• Detached garages
• Carports
• Decks and porches
• Accessory buildings
• Swimming pools and spas
• Structural alterations
• Retaining walls
• Accessory dwelling units
• Building relocation
• Demolition
• Electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical work

A Richmond building permit covers the building and structural portion of the project. Electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and gas work is handled through separate trade permits.^[1]

Applications may also be routed to other City departments for:

• Zoning review
• Planning and historic-preservation review
• Land-use review
• Public Works review
• Public Utilities review
• Water Resources review
• Property-maintenance review

The permit should be obtained before materials are ordered, excavation begins, or the project is placed on the property.

Richmond’s two different meanings of “site plan”

Richmond uses the term site plan in two related but different ways.

Residential permit site plan

This is the drawing discussed throughout this article. It accompanies a building or zoning application for a house, addition, deck, garage, accessory building, or similar residential project.

It shows the property lines, structures, setbacks, driveways, easements, and proposed work.

Formal Site Plan ordinance

Richmond also introduced a formal development-review process called the Site Plan ordinance in July 2025. It replaced the former Plan of Development process and applies to qualifying development projects.^[11]

The City states that one- and two-family homes are excluded from the listed formal Site Plan triggers. Those triggers include certain projects involving:

• More than 4,000 square feet of land disturbance
• More than 2,500 square feet of disturbance in a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area
• Major changes to public rights-of-way or utilities, including curb cuts
• Parking increases of more than 10%
• Certain drive-through or fuel-related installations
• An increase of at least 2,500 square feet in usable building space

A normal homeowner permit site plan should not be confused with this larger formal development-review process.

What should a Richmond permit site plan show?

A good site plan should show the entire property rather than only the corner where the work will occur.

1. Property address and parcel information

Identify the complete project address.

Where available, also include:

• Legal property description
• Subdivision name
• Lot number
• Block number
• Parcel identification number
• Recorded plat reference

The street address identifies the property for normal use. The legal description and parcel information connect the drawing to the recorded lot.

2. Complete property boundaries

Show every legal boundary of the parcel, including:

• Front property line
• Rear property line
• Left-side property line
• Right-side property line
• Curved or angled property lines
• Street-facing side boundaries
• Alley boundaries
• Irregular lot segments

Do not automatically treat an existing fence, hedge, driveway edge, sidewalk, curb, retaining wall, or utility pole as the legal property line.

These physical features may be located inside or outside the actual recorded boundary.

A drafting site plan may use surveys, plats, property records, photographs, and customer-provided measurements. It does not independently establish an unknown or disputed legal property boundary. A Virginia-licensed land surveyor may be needed where the boundary cannot be reliably identified.

3. Lot dimensions

Show the dimensions of the property boundaries using the available survey, plat, or recorded information.

Lot dimensions help reviewers evaluate:

• Front, rear, and side-yard requirements
• Available building area
• Corner-lot conditions
• Accessory-building placement
• Lot coverage
• Driveway access
• Easements
• Distances between buildings

Irregular parcels may require several individual dimensions to describe the complete lot.

4. Existing house footprint

Draw and label the complete exterior footprint of the existing house.

Include attached features that affect the project layout, such as:

• Attached garage
• Covered porch
• Existing addition
• Bay window
• Exterior stairs
• Deck or landing
• Roofed patio
• Other building projections

A rough rectangle may not be enough when the house has wings, porches, projections, or additions near the proposed work.

5. Existing accessory structures and improvements

Show other significant structures and improvements already located on the property.

These may include:

• Detached garage
• Shed or workshop
• Carport
• Deck and stairs
• Porch
• Pergola or gazebo
• Swimming pool or spa
• Patio
• Retaining wall
• Existing fence
• Equipment pad

Leaving an existing improvement off the drawing can make the proposed project appear to fit when the actual lot layout does not support it.

6. Proposed construction

Clearly distinguish proposed construction from existing improvements.

Show:

• Complete proposed footprint
• Exterior length and width
• Irregular sections
• Roof overhangs or projections
• Steps and landings
• Deck or patio extensions
• Garage-door orientation
• Mechanical or pool-equipment pads
• Proposed paving
• Structures that will be removed

Use clear labels such as:

• Existing House
• Proposed Addition
• New Detached Garage
• Proposed Deck
• Existing Shed to Remain
• Structure to Be Removed

Richmond’s residential plan requirements specifically call for the dimensions of existing and proposed structures.^[2]

7. Setback measurements

Show the actual distance from the proposed project to each relevant property line.

Depending on the location, include:

• Front setback
• Rear setback
• Left-side setback
• Right-side setback
• Street-side setback on a corner lot
• Distance to an alley
• Distance to a recorded building line

Measure to the closest applicable part of the project. A roof overhang, stair, landing, gutter, equipment pad, or other projection may be closer to the boundary than the main building wall.

Richmond explains that the zoning district determines minimum setback distances for buildings, accessory structures, and fences, as well as maximum height and other development standards.^[3]

Learn more in our

setbacks and zoning guide
.

8. Distance between structures

Show the distance between the proposed project and nearby buildings or structures.

This may include distance to:

• The existing house
• A detached garage
• A shed
• A carport
• A deck
• A gazebo or pergola
• A pool house
• Another accessory building

Building separation can affect fire protection, roof projections, wall openings, maintenance access, drainage, and whether the work is treated as attached or detached.

9. Streets, alleys, and public rights-of-way

Label every adjoining street, alley, and public right-of-way.

The site plan may need to distinguish between:

• Legal property line
• Public right-of-way line
• Street centerline
• Curb
• Street pavement
• Public sidewalk
• Grass or utility strip
• Driveway approach

The property boundary is not always located at the curb or sidewalk. This distinction is important for front additions, fences, carports, driveways, retaining walls, and corner-lot projects.

10. Driveways, walkways, and parking areas

Richmond’s residential guidance specifically calls for driveways and walkways to appear on the site plan.^[2]

Show:

• Existing driveway
• Proposed driveway or widening
• Driveway width
• Parking-pad dimensions
• Garage apron
• Curb cut
• Sidewalk crossing
• Street or alley connection
• Garage-door orientation
• Existing and proposed walkways

A garage or carport should not be shown without a practical vehicle-access route.

11. Easements

Show all known and recorded easements affecting the property.

Common residential easements include:

• Utility easement
• Sanitary-sewer easement
• Storm-sewer easement
• Drainage easement
• Waterline easement
• Access easement
• Shared-driveway easement
• Pipeline easement

An easement may look like unused yard space even though another party has a legal right to install, maintain, access, or replace infrastructure there.

A garage, shed, addition, pool, deck footing, retaining wall, or other permanent improvement should not be placed inside an easement without confirming that construction is permitted.

12. Utilities and mechanical equipment

Show visible or known utility features near the proposed construction.

Examples include:

• Water meter
• Sewer cleanout
• Gas meter
• Electrical meter
• Utility pole
• Transformer
• Overhead electrical lines
• Fire hydrant
• Storm drain or catch basin
• Air-conditioning equipment
• Pool pump, filter, or heater

Utility features can affect foundation excavation, post placement, driveway location, equipment clearances, and construction access.

13. Fences, gates, and retaining walls

Show existing and proposed fences, gates, masonry walls, and retaining walls near the work.

These features may affect:

• Construction access
• Boundary verification
• Driveway visibility
• Pool-barrier compliance
• Maintenance space
• Drainage
• Grade changes
• Historic review

An existing fence should not automatically be treated as the legal property boundary.

14. Drainage and grading features

Show known drainage and grading information when it affects the project.

This may include:

• General direction of surface runoff
• Drainage swales
• Ditches
• Storm drains and catch basins
• Drainage easements
• Retaining walls
• Low areas
• Roof downspout discharge
• Existing and proposed grade changes
• Floodplain or floodway boundaries
• Limits of land disturbance

A new building, driveway, patio, or other hard surface should not block an established drainage route or direct concentrated runoff toward neighbouring property.

15. North arrow, scale, and drawing information

A clear site plan should include:

• North arrow
• Graphic or written scale
• Property address
• Drawing date
• Existing and proposed labels
• Readable dimensions
• Legend where multiple line types are used
• Relevant project notes

Richmond requires construction documents to be submitted as legible PDF files. The City’s residential guidance notes that civil and site plans may be plotted at a scale such as 1 inch equals 30 feet, provided the information remains clear.^[2]

Richmond zoning and setbacks

Every Richmond parcel has a zoning designation that governs how the property may be used and developed.

The applicable zoning district may regulate:

• Permitted residential uses
• Minimum front yard
• Minimum rear yard
• Minimum side yards
• Street-side yard on a corner lot
• Building height
• Accessory-structure placement
• Lot coverage
• Parking and driveway requirements
• Fence and wall height
• Building design or landscaping

Richmond’s Zoning Administration Division reviews building permits and Certificates of Zoning Compliance to confirm conformance with the Zoning Ordinance.^[3]

When a project cannot meet required yards, parking rules, or other zoning provisions, an administrative variance, special exception, or Board of Zoning Appeals process may be required.

Before positioning the project, confirm:

• The zoning district
• Any special-use permit affecting the parcel
• Any Board of Zoning Appeals approval
• Any design overlay
• Any Old and Historic District designation
• Applicable front, side, and rear setbacks
• Maximum height and lot coverage
• Recorded building lines or plat restrictions

How to check a Richmond property before drafting

Richmond provides several interactive mapping tools that can help with early research.

The City’s mapping resources include:

• Parcel boundaries
• Zoning classifications
• Zoning confirmation letters
• Board of Zoning Appeals cases
• Special-use permits
• Plans of development
• Old and Historic Districts
• Design overlay districts
• Community unit plans

The Zoning Parcel Mapper can help identify the zoning district and special zoning approvals associated with a parcel.^[6]

These online maps are valuable research tools, but GIS parcel lines should not replace a boundary survey when the exact legal boundary must be established.

Accessory structures in Richmond

Detached garages, storage sheds, workshops, playhouses, and similar buildings are generally treated as accessory structures.

Richmond’s accessory-structure guidance explains that accessory-building setbacks vary according to factors such as:

• Zoning district
• Lot width
• Lot shape
• Lot orientation
• When the lot was created or platted
• Building height
• Position within the rear yard

Accessory buildings with floor areas not exceeding 256 square feet may qualify for an exemption from the building permit under the adopted building code. However, Richmond states that these structures must still meet zoning setbacks and require a Certificate of Zoning Compliance.^[4]

The City’s guidance also warns that:

• Roof overhangs, gutters, and downspouts must not cross the property line.
• Structures close to a property line may require fire-resistant construction.
• Doors and windows may be restricted when a wall is within three feet of the property line.
• Accessory-building area remains subject to district lot-coverage requirements.
• Residential accessory buildings cannot exceed 20 feet in height.

The exact standard should be confirmed for the individual property before the structure is ordered or installed.

Site plans for common Richmond projects

Home additions

A home-addition site plan should show the entire existing house and clearly identify the proposed extension.

Include:

• Existing house footprint
• Proposed addition dimensions
• Combined building footprint
• Setbacks to every relevant property line
• Existing garage, shed, deck, patio, and other improvements
• Driveway and construction access
• Utilities and mechanical equipment
• Easements
• Drainage direction

The permit package may also require a foundation plan, floor plans, framing information, elevations, building sections, energy documentation, and separate trade permits.

Detached garages

A detached-garage site plan should show:

• Garage length and width
• Garage-door orientation
• Setbacks to each property line
• Distance to the house and other structures
• Roof overhangs
• Driveway or alley access
• Existing sheds and accessory buildings
• Easements and utilities
• Drainage direction

Separate foundation, floor, framing, roof, elevation, electrical, and structural drawings may also be required.

See our

Richmond detached garage permit plot-plan guide

for project-specific details.

Sheds and workshops

A shed site plan should show:

• Shed footprint
• Roof outline
• Overall height
• Distance to each property line
• Distance to the house and garage
• Other accessory structures
• Door location
• Easements and utilities
• Drainage features

A small shed that is exempt from a building permit may still require a Certificate of Zoning Compliance and must comply with the applicable zoning requirements.

Decks and porches

Richmond identifies a site plan or survey as required for decks.^[2]

Show:

• Deck or porch length and width
• Location against the house
• Height above grade
• Complete stair direction
• Bottom landing
• Setbacks to property lines
• Nearby garages, sheds, patios, and fences
• Roof outline where the project is covered

The stairs may extend considerably closer to a property line than the main platform. They should not be omitted from the site plan.

Swimming pools and spas

A pool or spa site plan may need to show:

• Pool or spa footprint
• Distance to property lines
• Existing house and accessory buildings
• Pool deck or patio
• Barrier or fence
• Gate locations
• Pool equipment
• Electrical-service information
• Utilities and easements
• Drainage conditions

Richmond currently uses the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code framework for pool and spa review.^[1]

Separate building, electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical, or barrier approvals may apply depending on the design.

Fences and walls

A fence or wall site plan should show:

• Complete proposed route
• Existing and proposed sections
• Fence or wall height
• Material
• Gate locations
• Property lines
• Driveway and sidewalk
• Street or alley
• Easements and utilities
• Visibility conditions on corner lots

Zoning regulates fence height, and a fence in a City Old and Historic District may also require Commission of Architectural Review approval.

Driveways and curb cuts

A driveway plan should distinguish between private paving and any work located within the public right-of-way.

Show:

• Existing and proposed driveway
• Driveway width
• Parking-pad dimensions
• Property lines
• Curb cut
• Public sidewalk
• Street pavement
• Nearby utilities
• Storm drains and catch basins
• Garage or carport connection
• Drainage direction

Richmond Public Works strongly recommends that construction site plans for work within the City right-of-way undergo development review before a Work in Street Permit application is submitted.^[10]

Private items placed within the public right-of-way may also require an encroachment approval supported by a dimensioned plat or sketch.

Accessory dwelling units

Richmond permits one accessory dwelling unit on qualifying residential properties, subject to specific zoning conditions.

An ADU site plan may need to show:

• Existing principal dwelling
• Proposed attached or detached ADU
• Floor-area information
• Property-line setbacks
• Distance between structures
• Parking and pedestrian access
• Driveway or alley
• Utilities
• Easements
• Lot coverage

An ADU project normally requires more than a simple site plan, including complete building plans and any applicable trade permits.

Retaining walls

A retaining-wall site plan should show:

• Wall location
• Wall length
• Wall height
• Distance to property lines
• Existing and proposed grade
• Drainage behind and around the wall
• Nearby buildings
• Streets and sidewalks
• Easements and utilities

Engineering may be required depending on the height, soil, slope, surcharge, drainage, and nearby structures.

Land disturbance and stormwater review

Richmond requires a separate Richmond Erosion and Stormwater Management Program permit when land disturbance reaches:

• 4,000 square feet or more generally; or
• 2,500 square feet or more within a Chesapeake Bay Protection Area.

The threshold can apply to residential work involving demolition, new houses, accessory structures, additions, grading, clearing, foundations, or changes to onsite storm drainage.^[7]

Depending on the project, stormwater documents may need to show:

• Limits of disturbance
• Silt fence
• Stabilized construction entrance
• Erosion and sediment controls
• Existing and proposed drainage
• Stormwater-management practices
• Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area information
• Supporting calculations

Single-family projects meeting the threshold may qualify for an Agreement in Lieu of Plan process. Richmond states that an eligible project still requires a small site plan showing the proposed dwelling, adjoining streets and parcels, limits of disturbance, silt fence, and construction entrance.^[7]

A simple permit site plan should not be represented as a civil engineering or erosion-control plan where professional drainage design is required.

Floodplain properties

Richmond discourages building within floodplains and applies strict development guidelines before floodplain construction can occur.^[8]

Floodplain review may affect:

• Building location
• Finished-floor elevation
• Foundation design
• Placement of fill
• Grading and excavation
• Driveways and paving
• Mechanical and electrical equipment
• Retaining walls
• Required floodproofing
• Elevation certificates

Richmond states that alterations to existing development in a floodplain require floodproofing and that residential development in the floodplain may be subject to flood-insurance requirements.

The floodplain status should be investigated before the project location, foundation, or finished-floor elevation is finalized.

Old and Historic Districts

Richmond’s Commission of Architectural Review is responsible for reviewing exterior changes within the City’s Old and Historic Districts.^[9]

Projects that may require a Certificate of Appropriateness include:

• New houses
• Home additions
• Garages and accessory buildings
• Porches and decks
• Fences and gates
• Hardscaping
• HVAC equipment
• Doors and windows
• Exterior alterations visible from public streets, sidewalks, or alleys
• Demolition

Historic-review materials may require:

• Existing-condition photographs
• Site plan
• Exterior elevations
• Materials and colors
• Architectural details
• Street or neighbourhood context

Work that might otherwise be exempt from a normal building permit can still require historic approval when the property is located in an Old and Historic District.

Can an aerial image be used as the site plan?

An aerial or GIS image can be useful as a drafting reference, but it may not contain enough information for permit approval.

Aerial imagery may not accurately show:

• Legal property boundaries
• Recorded easements
• Exact building dimensions
• Roof overhangs
• Setback measurements
• Recent construction
• Underground utilities
• Grades and drainage direction

A permit-ready drawing should include reliable dimensions, clear labels, parcel information, a north arrow, and a consistent drawing scale.

Read our guide explaining

what a plot plan includes
.

Is a site plan the same as a survey?

No.

A permit site plan illustrates the property and proposed project using available surveys, plats, records, measurements, photographs, and customer-provided information.

A boundary survey is prepared by a Virginia-licensed land surveyor and establishes or verifies the legal location of property boundaries.

A new or updated survey may be needed when:

• Property corners cannot be identified
• The project is close to a boundary
• A neighbour disputes the property line
• Recorded dimensions conflict with existing improvements
• An easement location is unclear
• The lot has irregular boundaries
• Floodplain elevations must be certified
• The City specifically requests surveyed information

A drafting service should not be used to resolve an uncertain or disputed legal boundary.

How to submit a Richmond permit application

Richmond processes residential building permits, trade permits, and Certificates of Zoning Compliance through its Online Permit Portal.^[5]

A typical residential process includes:

1. Confirm the complete project scope.
2. Determine which building and trade permits are required.
3. Check the property zoning and applicable setbacks.
4. Review special-use permits, historic districts, floodplain conditions, and easements.
5. Determine whether a Certificate of Zoning Compliance is needed.
6. Collect the survey, plat, measurements, photographs, and project details.
7. Prepare the site plan and required construction drawings.
8. Submit the application through the Online Permit Portal.
9. Upload legible PDF documents.
10. Pay the invoiced application and review fees.
11. Respond to plan-review comments and submit corrected sheets.
12. Obtain the approved permit before construction begins.
13. Keep the approved plans available at the job site.
14. Schedule and pass the required inspections.

Richmond notes that permit processing times for some application types may take two to three weeks and that applications are reviewed in the order received.^[1]

Common Richmond site-plan mistakes

Permit review may be delayed when the drawing is incomplete, unclear, or based on unreliable assumptions.

• Showing only the proposed project instead of the complete property
• Leaving one or more property lines off the drawing
• Failing to provide lot dimensions
• Measuring from a fence instead of the legal boundary
• Providing only one setback measurement
• Leaving the street, alley, or right-of-way off the plan
• Failing to show recorded easements
• Omitting the existing house or garage
• Leaving sheds, decks, pools, patios, or fences off the drawing
• Failing to distinguish existing and proposed work
• Ignoring roof overhangs, stairs, landings, or equipment pads
• Failing to show distances between buildings
• Showing a garage or carport without driveway access
• Leaving walkways off the plan
• Placing a structure inside a utility or drainage easement
• Blocking a swale, ditch, or drainage route
• Using setbacks copied from another Richmond property
• Failing to check special-use permits or BZA cases
• Ignoring historic-district requirements
• Ignoring floodplain or Chesapeake Bay conditions
• Failing to identify the limits of land disturbance
• Submitting an undimensioned satellite image
• Leaving off the north arrow or scale
• Using labels that become unreadable in the final PDF

Use our

site plan checklist for permit approval

to organize the information before drafting begins.

What to provide when ordering a Richmond site plan

Providing complete information at the beginning can reduce revisions and permit delays.

Useful documents and details include:

• Complete property address
• Legal description or parcel information
• Existing survey or recorded plat
• Proposed project type
• Project length and width
• Preferred project location
• Measurements to every property line
• Existing house dimensions
• Dimensions of garages, sheds, decks, patios, pools, and other improvements
• Driveway and walkway information
• Street or alley location
• Known rights-of-way
• Known easements
• Utility locations
• Known drainage features
• Limits of land disturbance
• Contours or elevations where available
• Floodplain or Chesapeake Bay information
• Historic-district information
• Photographs of the property
• Manufacturer or contractor drawings
• Any comments already received from Richmond reviewers

Homeowners elsewhere in the Commonwealth can also review our

Virginia plot plan services page
.

Frequently asked questions

Does Richmond require a site plan for a building permit?

Richmond’s residential plan guidance specifically identifies a site plan or survey as required for new homes, additions, and decks. Other exterior projects may also require a site plan or location drawing depending on their scope.

What should a Richmond site plan show?

It should show the property lines, existing and proposed structures, additions, decks, driveways, walkways, easements, structure dimensions, and distances from structures to adjacent property lines.

Are setbacks the same for every Richmond property?

No. Setbacks depend on the zoning district, lot dimensions, street orientation, project type, building height, recorded plat, special-use permits, variances, and other property-specific conditions.

Can I use my fence as the property line?

No. A fence should not automatically be treated as the legal boundary. A licensed surveyor may be needed where the boundary cannot be reliably established.

Does a shed under 256 square feet need approval?

It may be exempt from the building permit, but Richmond states that it still must comply with zoning setbacks and requires a Certificate of Zoning Compliance.

Does a detached garage require a site plan?

A detached-garage application should include a plan showing the garage footprint, setbacks, distance to the house, driveway or alley access, easements, utilities, roof projections, and existing structures.

Does Richmond require separate trade permits?

Yes. Electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and gas work is handled through separate trade permits rather than being included in the residential building permit.

When is a stormwater permit required?

A separate Richmond erosion and stormwater permit is generally required when land disturbance reaches 4,000 square feet, or 2,500 square feet in a Chesapeake Bay Protection Area.

Does work in a historic district need extra approval?

Yes, in many cases. Richmond’s Commission of Architectural Review reviews exterior changes within Old and Historic Districts and issues Certificates of Appropriateness.

Does driveway work require separate review?

Work affecting a curb, sidewalk, public utility, driveway approach, or City right-of-way may require Public Works development review, a Work in Street Permit, or an encroachment approval.

Does a site plan replace a survey?

No. A site plan illustrates the project using available property information. A licensed land surveyor establishes or verifies legal property boundaries and certified elevations.

Does a site plan replace structural plans?

No. The site plan shows where the project will be located. Separate plans may be required to explain the foundation, framing, roof, walls, stairs, electrical work, plumbing, drainage, and other construction details.

Can the application be submitted online?

Yes. Richmond’s Online Permit Portal accepts residential building permits, residential trade permits, and Certificates of Zoning Compliance.

Order a site plan for permit in Richmond

A well-prepared site plan helps Richmond reviewers understand the complete property, existing structures, proposed project, property-line setbacks, driveways, walkways, easements, utilities, and drainage conditions.

USA Site Plans prepares residential permit drawings using available property records, customer-provided measurements, photographs, surveys, and proposed-project information. Reasonable edits are included when a permit reviewer requests drawing changes within the original project scope.

Permit, zoning, setback, easement, stormwater, floodplain, historic-preservation, right-of-way, utility, and construction requirements can change and may vary by property and project. Confirm current requirements with the City of Richmond before construction. USA Site Plans does not replace a Virginia-licensed land surveyor, architect, engineer, contractor, floodplain professional, or municipal authority where those services are required.