A permit site plan should do more than place a few boxes on a parcel. It should clearly communicate the existing property, the proposed work, critical dimensions, access, setbacks, and other site information that helps a reviewer understand how the project fits on the lot. SitePlan California prepares professional permit site plan drawings for homeowners, contractors, builders, developers, architects, permit expediters, real-estate professionals, and property managers throughout California.
Whether you are planning an ADU, home addition, garage, pool, deck, accessory structure, commercial improvement, demolition project, or another property change, we can review the available information and prepare a project-specific site plan rather than forcing every job into the same generic template.
A permit site plan is a plan-view drawing of the property that shows how buildings, structures, improvements, access areas, and relevant site features relate to the lot. The exact information requested depends on the local jurisdiction and the type of permit. In California, there is no single universal checklist that every city and county uses for every project. A small patio cover may require a different level of detail than a new detached ADU, a commercial addition, or grading work on a sloped property.
What remains consistent is the need for clarity. A reviewer should be able to identify the property, understand what exists today, see what is proposed, and locate the work in relation to property lines and other important site conditions. That is why a good site plan is more than an aerial image or rough sketch. It is an organized drawing that brings together the available property records, survey information when available, client measurements, existing drawings, photographs, project dimensions, and known permit requirements.
The elements below are commonly shown on permit site plans, but they are not automatically required on every project. We select and organize the information according to the project scope, available documentation, and known jurisdiction requirements.
The elements below are commonly shown on permit site plans, but they are not automatically required on every project. We select and organize the information according to the project scope, available documentation, and known jurisdiction requirements.
Lot lines and parcel dimensions can be shown from appropriate source information. Where verified boundary location is critical, a licensed survey may be required rather than relying on drafting assumptions.
The house, garage, accessory buildings, commercial structures, sheds, and other relevant improvements can be identified so the reviewer understands the current property layout.
New additions, ADUs, pools, decks, garages, patios, demolition areas, or other improvements are clearly distinguished from the existing condition.
Relevant distances between proposed work, existing structures, and property lines can be shown where the necessary project and property information is available.
Driveways, walkways, gates, parking areas, loading areas, or other circulation features may be shown when they affect the project or are requested for review.
A permit site plan is a plan-view drawing of the property that shows how buildings, structures, improvements, access areas, and relevant site features relate to the lot. The exact information requested depends on the local jurisdiction and the type of permit. In California, there is no single universal checklist that every city and county uses for every project. A small patio cover may require a different level of detail than a new detached ADU, a commercial addition, or grading work on a sloped property.
What remains consistent is the need for clarity. A reviewer should be able to identify the property, understand what exists today, see what is proposed, and locate the work in relation to property lines and other important site conditions. That is why a good site plan is more than an aerial image or rough sketch. It is an organized drawing that brings together the available property records, survey information when available, client measurements, existing drawings, photographs, project dimensions, and known permit requirements.
Official guidance illustrates the level of information jurisdictions can expect. Los Angeles City Planning publishes plot-plan instructions and states that additional information may be required depending on the case. The City of San Diego explains that construction-permit site plans may need to show property lines, lot lines, easements, rights-of-way, buildings, and structures on the parcel. The practical lesson is simple: the drawing should be tailored to the property and the reviewing department, not copied from an unrelated project.
The elements below are commonly shown on permit site plans, but they are not automatically required on every project. We select and organize the information according to the project scope, available documentation, and known jurisdiction requirements.
Lot lines and parcel dimensions can be shown from appropriate source information. Where verified boundary location is critical, a licensed survey may be required rather than relying on drafting assumptions.
The house, garage, accessory buildings, commercial structures, sheds, and other relevant improvements can be identified so the reviewer understands the current property layout.
Lot lines and parcel dimensions can be shown from appropriate source information. Where verified boundary location is critical, a licensed survey may be required rather than relying on drafting assumptions.
The house, garage, accessory buildings, commercial structures, sheds, and other relevant improvements can be identified so the reviewer understands the current property layout.
New additions, ADUs, pools, decks, garages, patios, demolition areas, or other improvements are clearly distinguished from the existing condition.
Relevant distances between proposed work, existing structures, and property lines can be shown where the necessary project and property information is available.
Existing and proposed coverage information may be included when it is part of the permit scope and sufficient dimensions are available for the calculation.
Plans are organized so orientation, scale, key dimensions, labels, and drawing notes are easy to read and useful to the broader permit package.
Site-specific notes can help explain the proposed work, clarify what remains unchanged, and coordinate the site plan with other drawings in the project set.
A site plan can look visually polished and still create problems during review if the drawing does not answer the reviewer’s basic questions. Common issues include missing dimensions, inconsistent property information, unlabeled existing versus proposed work, incomplete setback information, unclear access, or a drawing that was copied from a standard template without being adapted to the actual parcel.
SitePlan California provides site-plan and drafting services. Some projects require a licensed architect, professional engineer, civil engineer, land surveyor, geotechnical consultant, energy consultant, or other licensed professional. A drafting service does not replace those professional requirements when a jurisdiction or project scope requires them.
Provide the property address, proposed work, and any survey, existing plans, measurements, photographs, sketches, or permit comments you already have.
We review the available source information and identify what can reasonably be drafted, what details are missing, and whether separate professional information may be needed.
The existing property and proposed work are organized into a clear plan with the applicable dimensions, labels, notes, and project-specific site information.
Property layouts for pools, spas, decks, patios, pergolas, patio covers, fences, and related outdoor improvements.
Common questions about scope, source information, professional coordination, revisions, and delivery.
Deliverables depend on the project, but a typical permit site plan engagement may include a PDF site plan showing existing and proposed conditions, relevant dimensions, setbacks, structures, access areas, notes, and other site information included in the agreed scope. CAD or DWG source files can also be provided when they are part of the project agreement.
Share the property address and project details. We will review the information and follow up with the next step, scope, and pricing.
