Whether you’re applying for a building permit, planning a renovation, or just trying to understand your lot, you need a site plan of your property. This guide walks through every option — from free county records to professional 24-hour drafting — so you can choose what works best for your situation.

Method 1: Check Building Department Records (Free)

Your local building department keeps permit files that include site plans from previous projects. If your home was ever permitted — or if you’ve done permitted work in the past — there may already be a site plan on file.

• Visit or call your local building department and request the permit history for your address
• Many jurisdictions have online permit portals searchable by address
• Ask your county assessor’s office for recorded plat maps

Limitation: Old plans may be outdated. They may not match current conditions and may not be accepted for a new permit application without updates.

Method 2: County GIS / Parcel Records (Free)

Every US county maintains a GIS database with property boundary data. Search “[your county] GIS parcel viewer” to find it. You can view and download a basic parcel map — but this is not a permit-ready site plan. It shows boundaries only, not structure footprints, setback dimensions, or required title block formatting.

Use our free Permit Requirement Checker to see what your jurisdiction requires beyond a basic parcel map.

Method 3: Professional Drafting Service ($79–$199)

This is the most popular choice for homeowners and contractors who need a permit-ready site plan. We use your address, GIS data, and satellite imagery to produce a fully formatted CAD drawing — delivered in 24 hours and designed to pass review in your specific city or county.

• Basic ($79): Residential fence, shed, or simple building permit
• Advanced ($99): Pool, ADU, multi-structure properties
• Professional ($119): Commercial projects
• Elite ($199): Rush delivery + AutoCAD DWG files

See full pricing details. All plans include unlimited free revisions and a money-back guarantee.

Method 4: Licensed Land Surveyor ($400–$2,000+)

A licensed surveyor produces a legally certified boundary document. This is necessary for mortgage transactions, boundary disputes, and subdivision applications — but is rarely required for standard building permits. Most homeowners who hire a surveyor for a fence or pool permit are significantly overpaying.

Read our guide on site plan vs survey to understand when you actually need a surveyor.

Method 5: Draw It Yourself (Free but risky)

You can produce your own site plan using graph paper or a CAD-like tool — but the drawing must be to the exact scale required by your jurisdiction and include every mandatory element. Missing a setback dimension or parcel ID causes immediate rejection. Most homeowners find the time investment (3–8 hours) plus risk of rejection makes the $79 professional option a better value.

What Happens After You Get Your Site Plan?

1. Submit it with your building permit application
2. The reviewer checks setbacks, zoning compliance, and completeness
3. With a correctly prepared plan, most residential permits are approved within days

Need an elevation plan or floor plan alongside your site plan? We produce complete permit drawing packages.