Building departments commonly request a permit site plan when a project changes the exterior layout, building footprint, access or developed area of a property.

Projects such as pools, decks, sheds, garages, carports, home additions, fences, driveways and accessory dwelling units may require a drawing showing exactly where the work will be placed on the lot.

The requirements vary by jurisdiction, zoning district and project type, but most permit reviewers need the same basic information: the complete property, the existing structures, the proposed work and measurable distances to the relevant property lines.

Example of a residential permit site plan showing property boundaries, structures, setbacks, dimensions and access.

What Is a Site Plan for a Permit?

A site plan is a top-down drawing showing how a property is arranged. It places the proposed project within the complete lot so the permit reviewer can understand how it relates to boundaries, buildings, driveways, easements and other site features.

For straightforward residential projects, the terms site plan and plot plan are often used interchangeably.

A permit reviewer should be able to use the drawing to answer:

• What property is being reviewed?
• Where are the legal lot boundaries?
• What buildings and structures already exist?
• What new work is proposed?
• What are the proposed dimensions?
• How far is the project from each relevant property line?
• Does the proposal conflict with an easement?
• How will vehicles and pedestrians access the property?
• Does the drawing match the other permit documents?

For a broader explanation of plot plans, see Plot Plan for Permit: What It Is, What’s Included and How to Get One .

Why Building Departments Require Site Plans

A floor plan shows the rooms and internal arrangement of a structure. Elevations show the building from the outside. A site plan serves a different purpose: it shows where the project will be placed on the property.

Cities and counties may use the site plan to review:

• Zoning setbacks
• Building separation
• Lot coverage
• Impervious surface
• Driveway and parking access
• Utility and drainage easements
• Street and alley relationships
• Corner-lot visibility
• Floodplain or drainage conditions
• Historic or design overlays
• Placement of accessory structures

A clear site plan does not guarantee approval, but it can reduce uncertainty and help the reviewer identify whether additional information is required.

What Is Included in a Permit Site Plan?

The exact contents depend on the project and local checklist. Most residential permit site plans include the following information.

Property address and project information

• Complete street address
• City, state and ZIP code
• Lot, block or subdivision information when available
• Project description
• Drawing title
• Preparation or revision date

Property boundaries

The complete legal lot should be shown, including the front, side and rear property lines.

For corner or irregular lots, the drawing may need to show:

• Both street frontages
• Angled or curved property lines
• Access handles
• Several separate boundary dimensions

Do not automatically use an existing fence as the property boundary. A fence may be inside or outside the legal lot line.

Lot dimensions

Available measurements should establish the shape and size of the property.

These dimensions may come from:

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

Existing house and structures

The site plan should identify existing improvements that affect the proposed project.

These may include:

• Main dwelling
• Attached and detached garages
• Carports
• Sheds and storage buildings
• Decks and patios
• Patio covers and pergolas
• Swimming pools and spas
• Pool equipment
• Driveways and parking areas
• Walkways and sidewalks
• Retaining walls
• Fences and gates when relevant

Proposed construction

The proposed project should be clearly labelled and visually different from existing structures.

The plan should generally show:

• The complete proposed footprint
• Overall length and width
• Location within the lot
• Distance to each relevant property line
• Distance to the house and other structures
• Whether the project is attached or detached
• Stairs, landings, decks and roof projections when relevant
• New paving, driveway or parking areas
• Existing structures proposed for demolition

Setback dimensions

A setback is the required distance between a building or structure and a property line, street, easement or another regulated feature.

The site plan should normally show the shortest distance from the proposed work to:

• The front property line
• Both side property lines
• The rear property line
• A secondary street boundary
• Known easements
• Existing buildings where separation matters

Required setbacks can vary by zoning district, project type, building height, lot configuration and recorded subdivision restrictions.

For more information, read Property Setbacks Explained for Homeowners .

Easements

An easement may give a utility provider, neighbour, municipality or another party the right to access or use part of the property.

Common examples include:

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

A project may satisfy the zoning setback but still be prohibited from extending into an easement.

Driveways, parking and access

Show relevant existing and proposed access areas, including:

• Driveway location and width
• Garage or carport access
• Parking spaces
• Alleys
• Vehicle crossovers or curb cuts
• Sidewalks
• Walkways
• Gates

Street names and orientation

Label the adjoining street and any alley or secondary street frontage. Include a north arrow so the property can be correctly oriented.

Drawing scale

The site plan should be drawn at a consistent scale or contain enough measurable dimensions for the reviewer to evaluate the layout.

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 can help preserve scale information when a digital file is printed at a different size.

Additional information when required

More complex applications may also require:

• Existing and proposed ground levels
• Contours or topography
• Grading and drainage direction
• Stormwater pipes and discharge points
• Utilities
• Lot-coverage calculations
• Impervious-area calculations
• Floodplain boundaries
• Protected trees
• Retaining walls
• Fire-department access
• Landscaping or open-space information

A basic site plan does not replace a topographic survey, drainage design, structural engineering or other specialist documentation when one is required.

Quick Permit Site Plan Checklist

For a more detailed checklist, see Site Plan Checklist for Permit Approval .

Common Projects That Need a Site Plan

Pool permits

A pool site plan may need to show:

• Pool and spa outline
• Distance to property lines
• Distance to the house and accessory structures
• Pool equipment and equipment pad
• Decking and paved areas
• Fence, barrier and gate locations
• Known easements
• Utilities when relevant

Deck and patio permits

A deck, patio or patio-cover site plan may show:

• Proposed footprint
• Connection to the house
• Posts and footings
• Stairs and landings
• Roof overhangs
• Distances to property lines
• Relationship to pools and accessory structures

Shed and garage permits

An accessory-building site plan may need:

• Structure dimensions
• Rear and side setbacks
• Distance to the house
• Driveway or alley access
• Known easements
• Additional paving
• Lot coverage

Carport permits

A carport site plan may show:

• Overall carport dimensions
• Supporting-post locations
• Connection to the house
• Relationship to the driveway
• Front, side and rear setbacks
• Distance to existing structures

Home-addition permits

An addition site plan commonly shows:

• The complete existing house
• The proposed addition
• Property boundaries
• Setback dimensions
• Existing accessory structures
• Known easements
• Structures proposed for removal
• Driveway or drainage changes

Fence permits

A fence site plan may be required where the project affects:

• Front or corner-side yards
• Driveway visibility
• Pool safety
• Gate access
• Easements
• Retaining walls
• Fence-height restrictions

Driveway permits

A driveway or parking plan may need to show:

• Existing and proposed paving
• Driveway width
• Street and sidewalk
• Curb cut or vehicle crossover
• Garage or carport connection
• Parking spaces
• Drainage direction
• Property boundaries

ADU and secondary-dwelling permits

An ADU site plan may need to show:

• Existing primary dwelling
• Proposed ADU footprint
• Setbacks and building separation
• Parking and pedestrian access
• Utilities and sewer connections
• Private open space
• Lot coverage

What Reviewers Check First

Permit reviewers commonly begin with the information most likely to affect zoning and structure placement.

• Complete property boundaries
• Existing house and structures
• Clearly identified proposed work
• Project dimensions
• Setbacks from the property lines
• Known easements
• Driveway and access information
• North arrow and drawing scale
• Consistency with the other permit documents

When these items are missing, the reviewer may be unable to determine whether the project can be approved.

Read What Reviewers Check First on a Site Plan for a fuller explanation.

Site Plan vs Plot Plan vs Survey

A drafted permit site plan can organise available property and project information, but it does not independently establish legal property boundaries.

Do You Need a Survey?

Not every residential site plan requires a new survey.

A plan may sometimes be prepared using:

• A recorded plat
• An existing survey
• Previous approved drawings
• Property records
• Aerial imagery
• Customer-supplied measurements
• Contractor or manufacturer plans

A current licensed survey may be needed when:

• No reliable boundary information is available
• The property corners cannot be located
• The proposed work is close to a boundary
• The lot is irregular
• Existing records conflict
• Accurate topographic levels are needed
• There is a neighbour or boundary dispute
• The permit authority specifically requests certified measurements

A drafted site plan does not replace a licensed boundary survey when one is legally or technically required.

Can You Draw Your Own Site Plan?

Some permit offices accept homeowner-prepared plans for straightforward projects.

A DIY site plan should still be:

• Accurate
• Drawn to a consistent scale
• Clearly dimensioned
• Easy to read
• Complete enough for the reviewer
• Consistent with the other permit drawings

Our Draw a Site Plan Online guide explains how to create a DIY plan and when professional help may be more practical.

How to Get a Site Plan for a Building Permit

1. Check your existing property documents

Review the documents received when the property was purchased or built.

You may already have:

• A boundary survey
• A mortgage-location survey
• A subdivision plat
• A builder site plan
• Previous permit drawings
• HOA plans

2. Check public property records

Useful information may be available from:

• The county recorder
• The tax assessor
• The planning or zoning department
• The building-permit office
• The subdivision or HOA

3. Review the permit checklist

Check the current requirements for the exact project and property location.

Look for instructions covering:

• Required drawing scale
• Property and project information
• Setback dimensions
• Survey requirements
• File format
• Professional signatures or seals

4. Prepare the site plan

The drawing can be prepared by:

• The homeowner where permitted
• A drafting service
• An architect or designer
• An engineer
• A licensed land surveyor

The appropriate professional depends on the required accuracy and complexity.

5. Review all dimensions

Before submission, confirm that:

• The correct property is shown
• The project dimensions are accurate
• The proposed location is correct
• The setbacks are measurable
• The site plan matches the floor plans and elevations
• The exported PDF is clear and readable

What Information Should You Send With an Order?

Providing complete information can reduce questions and help the drawing move forward faster.

• Complete property address
• Description of the proposed project
• Overall project length and width
• Preferred project location
• Distances to nearby property lines
• Existing survey or recorded plat
• Photographs of the project area
• A hand sketch or marked aerial image
• Contractor or manufacturer drawings
• Known easements
• Permit-office instructions
• HOA requirements
• Any correction comments already received

Site Plan Requirements Vary by Location

There is no single permit site-plan checklist that applies to every jurisdiction in the United States.

Requirements may vary by:

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

City Site Plan for Permit Guides

The following city guides show how permit requirements can vary by jurisdiction:

Why Permit Site Plans Get Rejected

A site plan may be returned when the reviewer cannot understand or verify the project.

Common problems include:

• Missing property boundaries
• Missing lot dimensions
• No drawing scale
• No north arrow
• Missing setback measurements
• The existing house is not shown
• Accessory structures are omitted
• Proposed work is not clearly labelled
• The site plan dimensions conflict with the floor plans
• Known easements are ignored
• A fence is shown as though it were the legal property line
• Driveway or access information is missing
• The drawing is blurry or difficult to read

For more guidance, read Why Site Plans Get Rejected for Permits .

What Happens After Submission?

After the permit application is submitted, the site plan is reviewed with the remaining documents.

The reviewer may:

• Approve the site layout
• Request missing dimensions
• Ask for clearer setback labels
• Request easement information
• Ask for a certified survey
• Request drainage or grading information
• Identify a zoning conflict
• Request a complete revised plan set

When corrections are requested, address every comment and make sure the revised site plan remains consistent with the other drawings.

See What Happens After You Submit a Site Plan for Permit .

How the USA Site Plans Process Works

1. Place your order. Select the plan option that matches the required level of detail.
2. Provide the property address. Available property, mapping and aerial information is reviewed.
3. Describe the project. Explain what is being built and provide the proposed dimensions.
4. Mark the proposed location. Send a hand sketch, photograph or marked aerial image.
5. Upload an existing survey or plat. Reliable source documents can improve the drawing.
6. Review the completed plan. Verify all property and project information before submitting it.
7. Request reasonable edits. Revisions can be made when the permit reviewer requests site-plan corrections.

The accuracy of a remotely prepared site plan depends on the accuracy of the records, surveys, measurements, photographs and project information supplied.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a site plan for a permit?

It is an overhead property drawing showing the lot boundaries, existing structures, proposed construction, setbacks, access and other information needed for permit review.

Does every building permit require a site plan?

No. The required documents depend on the project. Exterior additions and new structures are more likely to require a site plan than minor interior or cosmetic work.

Can I draw my own site plan?

Some permit offices accept homeowner-prepared plans for straightforward projects. The drawing must still be accurate, readable and complete.

Can a site plan be prepared online?

Many residential site plans can be prepared remotely using available property records, an existing survey or plat, aerial imagery, photographs and customer-provided measurements.

Do I need a boundary survey?

Not always. A survey may be required when the legal boundaries are uncertain, the project is close to a lot line, accurate levels are needed or the permit authority specifically requests certified information.

Can the plan show a proposed pool, garage or addition?

Yes. Proposed structures can be added when reliable dimensions, location information and distances from the property lines are provided.

How long does a permit site plan take?

Many straightforward weekday orders can be completed within 24 hours after the required property and project information is received.

Will the plan guarantee permit approval?

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

What if the city requests corrections?

The requested changes should be reviewed carefully and addressed in the revised drawing. Reasonable site-plan edits are included with USA Site Plans orders.

Does the site plan include engineering?

No. A site plan shows the project location. Structural, civil, drainage or other engineering must be obtained separately when required.

Final Thoughts

A permit site plan should make the property and proposed project easy to understand.

The most important information usually includes the complete lot, legal boundaries, existing buildings, proposed construction, dimensions, setbacks, easements, access, north arrow and drawing scale.

A clear drawing cannot guarantee approval, but it can reduce avoidable confusion and help the building department review the application more efficiently.

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, zoning district and project type. A remotely drafted site plan does not replace a licensed boundary survey or professional engineering when either is required. Confirm current requirements with the authority reviewing your application.