Site Plans for Your Building Permit

Professionally drawn site plans based on GIS and satellite imagery. Choose your project, submit your address, and receive a completed plan within 48 hours.

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What Is a Site Plan?

A site plan is a scaled drawing of your property as seen from above. It shows your lot boundaries, the location of existing structures, and exactly where your proposed project will be built. Building departments use it to verify that your project meets local zoning requirements before approving a permit.

Unlike construction drawings or floor plans, a site plan is about placement on the land, not the structure itself. It answers the questions your building department needs answered: How close is the project to the property line? Does it respect the required setbacks? How does it relate to the existing home and other structures on the lot?

Most residential permit applications for decks, sheds, fences, patios, and garages require a site plan as part of the submission package. Without one, most building departments will not accept your application.

Why Building Departments Require a Site Plan

Before issuing a permit, your building department needs to confirm several things. First, that your project meets the setback requirements for your zoning district. Setbacks are minimum distances that structures must maintain from property lines, easements, and other buildings. These vary by jurisdiction and project type.

Second, they need to verify that your project does not encroach on easements. Easements are portions of your property that utility companies, municipalities, or neighboring property owners have a legal right to access. Building within an easement can result in forced removal at your own cost.

Third, many jurisdictions limit how much of a residential lot can be covered by impervious surfaces such as concrete, pavers, and structures. A site plan makes it possible to calculate that coverage accurately.

A complete and accurate site plan speeds up the review process significantly. Building departments that receive incomplete submissions issue correction requests, which adds weeks to your timeline. A well-prepared plan moves through review faster and reduces the chance of rejection.

How It Works

1

Choose your project

Select the project type you need a site plan for and choose the tier that matches your building department's requirements.

2

Submit your property details

After checkout, complete a short form with your property address, project dimensions, and any specific requirements from your building department. Upload an existing survey if you have one.

3

Receive your plan

We prepare your site plan using GIS data and satellite imagery and deliver it to your inbox within your chosen turnaround time. Review it and request any changes before you submit.

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48-hour delivery

Standard plans delivered within 48 hours. Priority turnaround available.

Free revisions included

Review your draft and request changes. We update the plan at no additional charge.

PDF and JPG delivery

Plans delivered by email in PDF and JPG format. DWG included with Premium.

GIS and satellite imagery

Plans are based on current GIS data and high-resolution satellite imagery for your property.

When You Need a Site Plan

Building permit applications

Most building departments require a site plan as part of any permit application involving new structures or additions. This includes decks, sheds, garages, fences, and patios.

HOA submissions

Homeowners associations frequently require a site plan showing the proposed project location before approving any exterior construction or modification.

Zoning permit applications

Zoning permits, which are separate from building permits in many jurisdictions, typically require a site plan to verify compliance with land use regulations.

Contractor planning

A site plan helps your contractor understand the full scope of the project in relation to your property before work begins. It reduces surprises during construction.

Property documentation

Even when no permit is required, a site plan provides a useful record of what exists on your property and where proposed improvements are planned.

Frequently asked questions

What is included in every site plan?

Every plan we prepare includes property lines with dimensions, setback measurements from all property lines, the existing primary structure footprint, the proposed project footprint and location, distances between major features, a north arrow, a scale bar, and the parcel ID. Higher tiers add topographic contour lines, a vicinity map, impervious surface calculations, and utility locations.

Will my building department accept this plan?

Our plans are prepared to meet standard residential building department requirements and include all elements that most jurisdictions ask for. Requirements vary by city and county. Some building departments require plans to be stamped by a licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect. We recommend confirming your local requirements before ordering.

How do you prepare the site plan?

We use GIS data and current satellite imagery to accurately plot your property boundaries and existing structures. Once you submit your property details and project information after checkout, we draft the plan showing your proposed project in its correct location on the lot.

What if my project does not require a permit?

A site plan is still useful even when no permit is required. Many HOAs require one before approving exterior projects. Contractors use them for planning and bidding. And having a record of proposed improvements on your property is useful for future reference.

How long does it take to receive my plan?

Basic plans are delivered within 48 hours of receiving your completed property details form. Standard plans within 36 hours. Premium plans within 24 hours. Turnaround time begins when you submit your property details, not when you place your order.

What if my building department requests changes?

Every order includes free revisions. If your building department reviews the plan and asks for specific changes, contact us and we will update the plan at no additional charge within your revision allowance. Premium orders include unlimited revisions.

What file formats will I receive?

Basic and Standard orders include PDF and JPG files. Premium orders also include a DWG file, which is the standard format used by engineers and CAD software. All files are delivered by email.

Do I need a survey to order a site plan?

No. We prepare plans using GIS data and satellite imagery so a survey is not required. If you have an existing survey of your property you can upload it when you submit your property details and we will use it to improve accuracy.

Can I use the same plan for both a permit and an HOA submission?

Yes. The same site plan can typically be used for both your building permit application and your HOA submission. If your HOA has specific formatting or content requirements, note them when you submit your property details and we will do our best to accommodate them.

What is the difference between a site plan and a survey?

A survey is a legally certified document prepared by a licensed land surveyor that establishes exact property boundaries. A site plan is a scaled drawing used for permit applications that shows structures and proposed work in relation to the property. Most building departments that accept non-certified plans do so for the permit review process. If your jurisdiction requires a certified survey, you will need to hire a licensed surveyor in your state.

Ready to Get Started?

Choose your project below and receive your completed site plan within 48 hours.

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