Virginia Plot Plan Services (Fast, Affordable, Permit-Ready)

A Virginia plot plan—also commonly called a site plan—shows a property from above. It identifies the lot boundaries, existing buildings, proposed construction, project dimensions, setbacks, driveways, easements and other details relevant to permit or zoning review.

Virginia has a statewide building code, but residential permits are reviewed by the city, county or town responsible for the property. This means a plot plan accepted in Richmond may not contain the same information requested in Fairfax County, Arlington, Virginia Beach, Alexandria or Norfolk.

Send us your property address, existing survey or plat, photographs, project dimensions and a sketch showing where the work will be located. We can organise that information into a clean residential plot plan for your permit package.

What Is a Virginia Plot Plan?

A plot plan is a scaled or dimensioned overhead drawing of a parcel of land.

For a residential project, it commonly shows:

• Property address
• Legal property boundaries
• Lot dimensions
• Existing house
• Garages, sheds and accessory buildings
• Decks, patios and pools
• Driveways and parking areas
• Proposed construction
• Distances to property lines
• Distance between structures
• Known easements
• Adjoining streets or alleys
• North arrow
• Drawing scale

The drawing helps the local authority understand where the proposed project will sit and how it relates to the property boundaries, existing development and access areas.

For a broader explanation, read our complete plot plan for permit guide .

Virginia Building Code vs Local Zoning Requirements

Virginia’s Uniform Statewide Building Code establishes building regulations applying to new buildings, additions, alterations, repairs and changes of use.

Permit applications are submitted to the applicable local building official. The local authority reviews the construction documents and administers the permit process for properties within its jurisdiction.

Zoning and site-development requirements are also administered locally.

A city or county may regulate:

• Front, side and rear setbacks
• Accessory-structure placement
• Building height
• Lot coverage
• Driveway and parking access
• Floodplain development
• Chesapeake Bay protection areas
• Historic districts
• Land disturbance and grading
• Stormwater management
• Easements and rights of way

This is why there is no single Virginia plot-plan checklist that applies to every property.

Official sources: Virginia DHCD — Uniform Statewide Building Code and Virginia Administrative Code — Permit Applications .

When Is a Plot Plan Commonly Required in Virginia?

A plot plan, site plan or survey plat is commonly requested when a project changes the exterior footprint, placement, access or developed area of a property.

Projects can include:

• Home additions
• Detached garages
• Storage sheds
• Decks and porches
• Swimming pools and spas
• Carports
• Patio covers and pergolas
• Accessory dwelling units
• Fences and retaining walls
• Driveway widening
• New parking areas
• Septic-system work
• Grading and substantial land disturbance
• New residential construction

Interior-only work may not require a plot plan when it does not affect the exterior building footprint, site access or property development.

The local permit office determines whether a plot plan is required and whether the submitted drawing must be based on or prepared as a licensed survey.

What Should a Virginia Plot Plan Include?

The following information is commonly shown on residential plans. The exact requirements should be confirmed with the reviewing locality.

Property identification

• Complete property address
• City or county
• Parcel identification number when required
• Lot and subdivision information when available
• Project title and description
• Preparation or revision date

Complete property boundaries

The complete legal lot should be shown rather than only the area surrounding the project.

Include:

• Front property line
• Side property lines
• Rear property line
• Street-side line on a corner lot
• Angled or curved boundary sections
• Available bearings and distances

Do not automatically treat a fence, hedge, retaining wall or edge of pavement as the legal property boundary.

Lot dimensions

Available measurements should explain the property’s size and shape.

Source information may come from:

• A licensed boundary survey
• A house-location survey or plat
• A recorded subdivision plat
• Previous approved drawings
• Deed information
• Measurements supplied by the property owner

Existing buildings and improvements

Relevant existing features may include:

• Main dwelling
• Attached or detached garage
• Carport
• Shed or storage building
• Deck or porch
• Patio or pergola
• Swimming pool or spa
• Pool equipment
• Driveway and parking area
• Walkways
• Retaining walls
• Fences and gates when relevant

Proposed construction

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

The drawing may need to show:

• Complete proposed footprint
• Overall length and width
• Connection to the existing house
• Stairs and landings
• Roof overhangs
• Supporting posts
• New paving
• Structures proposed for removal

Setback dimensions

Show measurable distances from the proposed work to:

• Front property line
• Both side property lines
• Rear property line
• Street-side property line
• Existing house
• Other accessory structures
• Known easements

Setbacks differ according to the locality, zoning district, structure type, height and lot configuration.

Read Property Setbacks Explained for Homeowners for more information.

Access and paved areas

• Driveway location and width
• Parking areas
• Garage or carport access
• Street connection
• Alleys or access easements
• Sidewalks
• Walkways
• Existing and proposed paving

Known easements

A structure can meet the normal zoning setback and still conflict with a recorded easement.

Common examples include:

• Utility easements
• Drainage easements
• Sanitary-sewer easements
• Access easements
• Shared-driveway easements
• Conservation easements
• Rights of way

Orientation and scale

• North arrow
• Written drawing scale
• Graphic scale bar when useful
• Street names
• Existing and proposed legend
• Readable dimensions and labels

Additional Information Some Virginia Projects May Require

A straightforward residential plot plan may not require every item below. More complex sites can need additional information.

• Existing and proposed ground elevations
• Contour lines
• Grading and cut-and-fill limits
• Land-disturbance calculations
• Erosion and sediment-control measures
• Stormwater drainage
• Floodplain boundaries and elevations
• Chesapeake Bay Resource Protection Areas
• Septic tanks and drainfields
• Water wells
• Utility routes
• Tree-protection areas
• Lot-coverage calculations
• Impervious-area calculations
• Retaining walls

These details may require information or design from a Virginia-licensed surveyor, engineer, architect, soil professional or another qualified specialist.

A basic drafted plot plan does not replace licensed surveying, grading design, drainage engineering or another professional document when one is required.

Virginia Plot Plan Requirements Vary by Locality

Virginia contains independent cities, counties and towns with separate zoning ordinances and permit procedures.

The examples below show why homeowners should confirm the exact local requirements before ordering or submitting a plan.

Fairfax County

Fairfax County states that when a new structure or exterior change is proposed, a site-related plan or survey/plat is required in addition to the building permit.

Depending on the project, Fairfax may require:

• A house-location plat
• An infill-lot grading plan
• A conservation plan
• A minor site plan
• A rough-grading plan
• Another site-related submission

Fairfax’s house-location plat guidance says plats submitted for additions and accessory structures must show the entire parcel, property-line bearings and distances, and accurately located and dimensioned existing and proposed structures. The county also requires these house-location plats to be signed and sealed by an appropriately licensed professional.

A remotely drafted plan therefore may not replace the certified house-location plat where Fairfax requires one.

Official sources: Fairfax County — Plan Ahead and Fairfax County — House Location Plat Requirements .

Arlington County

Arlington’s residential-building requirements can involve a proposed plat or site plan, depending on the project.

Arlington states that county easements must be shown on a certified plan and plat. Certain residential applications also require site-plan drawings showing proposed changes to buildings and the property at a readable scale with dimensions.

Projects close to boundaries, involving easements or changing exterior conditions may therefore need survey-based information beyond a basic conceptual drawing.

Official source: Arlington County — Residential Building Permits .

City of Alexandria

Alexandria states that a site plan or grading plan must accompany the building-permit plan set when required.

Exterior residential work may require:

• A survey plat drawn to scale
• Proposed improvements dimensioned on the plat
• Limits of land disturbance
• Floodplain information when applicable
• Right-of-way permits for work outside the private property
• Historic-district approval where applicable

Alexandria may therefore require more than a general plot plan when grading, public-right-of-way work, floodplain conditions or historic review is involved.

Official source: City of Alexandria — Permit Requirements .

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach zoning regulations control minimum yards, setbacks, land uses and structure placement.

The city’s fence and wall application process requires a copy of a physical survey or a site plan drawn to scale. The proposed fence, height and required landscaping must be shown.

Virginia Beach properties may also be affected by:

• Chesapeake Bay Resource Protection Areas
• Flood zones
• Drainage easements
• Required yards
• Site-development review

Official sources: Virginia Beach — Zoning and Virginia Beach — Fence and Wall Permits .

City of Richmond

Richmond requires a building permit before beginning new construction or alterations to a building.

The building permit covers the building and structural portion of the work, while zoning, trade permits and other approvals may be reviewed separately.

Projects such as additions, detached accessory structures and accessory dwelling units must also satisfy the applicable zoning requirements, including setbacks, height and lot coverage.

Official sources: City of Richmond — Permits and Inspections and City of Richmond — Accessory Dwelling Units .

City of Norfolk

Norfolk requires residential building permits for projects including decks, room additions, screened or covered porches, certain accessory structures, carports, deeper above-ground pools, spas and masonry walls with footings.

Permit applications may require a survey or site plan, particularly for new buildings and exterior work affecting structure placement.

Official source: City of Norfolk — Permits and Inspections .

Virginia Plot Plan Requirements by Project Type

Plot Plan vs House-Location Plat vs Boundary Survey

These terms are sometimes used loosely, but they do not always describe the same document.

A drafted plot plan may be sufficient for some straightforward applications. It does not replace a certified house-location plat or survey where the reviewing locality requires one.

When Might You Need a Licensed Virginia Surveyor?

A current licensed survey may be required when:

• No reliable boundary information is available
• The project is close to a property line
• Property corners cannot be identified
• The lot is irregular
• Existing documents conflict
• A locality requires a certified house-location plat
• Accurate elevations or contours are needed
• Grading or drainage design is required
• There is a neighbour or boundary dispute
• An easement must be professionally located
• The permit reviewer requests a signed and sealed plan

Ordering a drafted plot plan does not independently establish the legal property boundaries.

What Information Should You Send With Your Order?

Complete source information helps produce a more useful drawing.

• Complete Virginia property address
• City or county reviewing the project
• Description of the proposed project
• Project length and width
• Proposed project location
• Distances to nearby property lines
• Existing survey or house-location plat
• Recorded subdivision plat
• Photographs of the project area
• A hand sketch or marked aerial image
• Contractor or manufacturer drawings
• Known easements
• Septic or well information when relevant
• Local permit checklist
• Any correction comments already received

How Our Virginia Plot Plan Service Works

1. Place your order. Select the site-plan option that matches the requested level of detail.
2. Provide the address. Tell us which Virginia locality is reviewing the application.
3. Upload your documents. Send any survey, plat, old plan or permit comments available.
4. Describe the project. Provide the proposed structure dimensions and scope.
5. Mark the location. Send a sketch, photograph or marked aerial image.
6. Review the completed drawing. Check the proposed location, labels and dimensions.
7. Request reasonable edits. Drawing changes can be made when the reviewer requests site-plan corrections.

The accuracy and usefulness of a remotely prepared plot plan depend on the accuracy of the surveys, property records, dimensions, photographs and project information supplied.

Virginia Areas We Serve

USA Site Plans provides online residential plot-plan drafting throughout Virginia, including:

The reviewing locality controls the permit requirements. Verify whether your city, county or town accepts a drafted plot plan or requires a certified survey, house-location plat, grading plan or professionally sealed drawing.

Common Virginia Plot Plan Problems

• The wrong locality’s checklist was used
• The complete property is not shown
• Property boundaries are estimated from a fence
• Lot dimensions are missing
• The existing house is incomplete
• Accessory structures are omitted
• Proposed work is not clearly labelled
• Project dimensions are missing
• Setback measurements are unclear
• Known easements are ignored
• Driveway or access information is incomplete
• No north arrow or drawing scale is shown
• Land disturbance is not calculated when required
• Septic, well, floodplain or Chesapeake Bay restrictions are overlooked
• The plot plan conflicts with floor plans or elevations
• A drafted plan is submitted where a certified plat is required

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

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

Virginia Plot Plan Review Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a plot plan for a Virginia building permit?

Many exterior residential projects require a plot plan, site plan or survey plat. The required document depends on the locality, project and property conditions.

Is a Virginia plot plan the same as a site plan?

The terms are often used interchangeably for residential permits. Some localities use more specific terms such as house-location plat, grading plan or site-related plan.

Does Virginia have one statewide plot-plan checklist?

No. Virginia has a statewide building code, but cities, counties and towns administer permits and local zoning requirements. The required plan varies by locality.

Can I use an existing survey?

Yes. An existing survey or house-location plat is often useful source information. It should accurately reflect the property and current improvements.

Can you add a proposed deck, pool or garage to my survey?

Yes. Proposed residential structures can be added when reliable dimensions, proposed location information and suitable source documents are provided.

Will Fairfax County accept an unsigned drafted plot plan?

Fairfax County requires signed and sealed house-location plats for certain additions and accessory structures. A drafted plan does not replace that certified document when it is required.

Do I need a plot plan for a fence?

Requirements vary. Virginia Beach, for example, requires a physical survey or site plan drawn to scale for its fence and wall permit process.

Can a Virginia plot plan be prepared online?

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

Are your Virginia plans stamped?

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

How quickly can a plot plan be completed?

Many straightforward weekday orders are completed within 24 hours after the required property and project information is received. Complex properties or incomplete source information may require additional time.

Will a plot plan guarantee permit approval?

No. The local building, zoning or land-development authority controls approval and may request revisions, a licensed survey, engineering or additional documentation.

Official Virginia and Local Sources

• Virginia DHCD — Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code
• Virginia Administrative Code — Application for Permit
• Fairfax County — Planning Site-Related Plans
• Fairfax County — House Location Plat Requirements
• Arlington County — Residential Building Permits
• City of Alexandria — Permit Requirements
• Virginia Beach — Zoning
• Virginia Beach — Fence and Wall Permits
• City of Richmond — Permits and Inspections
• City of Norfolk — Permits and Inspections

Disclaimer: This article provides general educational information and is not legal, surveying, engineering, architectural, zoning or permitting advice. Requirements vary by Virginia locality, property, zoning district, project type and current regulations. A drafted plot plan does not establish legal property boundaries or replace a licensed survey, certified house-location plat, grading plan, engineering or another professionally sealed document when required. Confirm the current requirements with the city, county or town reviewing your application.