Understanding how to make a site plan for a permit can save you time and help you know what to expect — whether you draw it yourself or hire a professional. This step-by-step guide covers everything from gathering data to formatting the final drawing.
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Step 1: Find Your Jurisdiction’s Requirements
Before you draw anything, contact your local building department or check their website for a submittal checklist. You need to know:
- Required scale (commonly 1″=20′ for residential)
- All required elements (setbacks, structures, utilities, etc.)
- Title block format
- Accepted file formats (PDF, paper, etc.)
Our free Permit Requirement Checker automates this research for your specific city.
Step 2: Gather Your Property Data
- Lot dimensions: From your deed, title report, or county GIS parcel viewer
- Parcel ID: On your property tax bill or county assessor website
- Legal description: On your deed or recorded plat
- Structure measurements: Length and width of house, garage, and other buildings
- Setback requirements: From your local zoning code
Step 3: Set Up Your Drawing at the Correct Scale
This is where most DIY site plans go wrong. Every dimension on the drawing must follow the scale ratio exactly. In AutoCAD, set your units to feet and draw at real-world dimensions, then configure your viewport to print at the required scale. On graph paper, decide how many grid squares represent each unit of measurement.
Step 4: Draw Property Lines
Start with the lot boundary. Draw all sides with exact dimensions labeled. Note the street name on the adjacent front property line. Mark any easements or rights-of-way as dashed lines.
Step 5: Add Existing Structures
Show the footprint (outline) of every structure on the property: house, garage, shed, pool, deck, fence. Label each one. Include dimensions (length × width).
Step 6: Add the Proposed Improvement
Draw the proposed fence, pool, addition, or structure in its planned location. Use dashed lines to indicate it’s proposed. Label it clearly: “PROPOSED FENCE” or “PROPOSED ADDITION.”
Step 7: Dimension All Setbacks
Show the distance from the proposed improvement to each relevant property line — and label the actual number. Showing the gap visually without a number is one of the most common rejection reasons.
Step 8: Add North Arrow and Bar Scale
The north arrow shows orientation. The bar scale is a graphic element showing what a certain length represents in real life — required by most jurisdictions in addition to the written scale.
Step 9: Complete the Title Block
Most jurisdictions require a title block with: property address, parcel ID, legal description, scale, preparer name, and date. This is non-negotiable — a missing title block causes instant rejection.
Step 10: Review Against the Checklist
Go back to the requirements from Step 1 and verify every item is present. Check our FAQs page for common questions about specific permit types.
Why Most People Choose Professional Drafting
The DIY process takes 4–8 hours and carries real rejection risk. Our professional site plan service at $79 delivers a CAD-quality, permit-ready drawing in 24 hours — with jurisdiction-specific research, unlimited revisions, and a money-back guarantee. We also offer floor plans, elevation plans, and full drafting services.
Get Your Site Plan Made Professionally — $79 · 24-Hour Delivery
Professional, permit-ready site plans starting at $79. Delivered in 24 hours. Accepted by building departments in all 50 states.
✅ 98% first-time approval rate | ✅ Unlimited free revisions | ✅ Money-back guarantee
Frequently Asked Questions
What scale should a site plan for a permit be drawn at?
Common scales for residential site plans are 1″=10′, 1″=20′, and 1″=40′. Commercial properties often use 1″=50′ or 1″=100′. Always check your specific jurisdiction’s requirements before drawing.
What software can I use to make a site plan for a permit?
Professional CAD software like AutoCAD is the industry standard. Other options include SketchUp, Adobe Illustrator, or drafting apps — but many free tools don’t produce output accepted by building departments.
What information do I need to draw a site plan?
You need your lot dimensions (from county GIS or your deed), existing structure measurements, proposed improvement details, setback requirements from your local zoning code, and your jurisdiction’s site plan format requirements.
How long does it take to draw a site plan yourself?
For a typical residential lot, expect 3–8 hours if you’re unfamiliar with the process. A professional drafting service completes the same drawing in under 24 hours.
What is a title block on a site plan?
The title block is a formatted box (usually bottom-right of the drawing) containing the property address, parcel ID, legal description, scale, north arrow, preparer name, and date. Most jurisdictions require a specific format.
