How to Get a Site Plan for a Building Permit
- Apr 14
- 3 min read
If you're planning a deck, ADU, pool, fence, or addition, your county building department may ask for a site plan before they'll issue a permit. Requirements vary significantly by county and project type — what's mandatory in one jurisdiction may be optional in another. Always check with your local building department first.
That said, here's what a site plan typically includes, why it matters, and how to get one.
What a Site Plan Usually Shows
A site plan is a scaled overhead drawing of your property — the lot itself, not the interior of the building. Depending on your county's requirements, it may need to include:
Property boundaries and lot dimensions
Setback lines (the distances from property lines where you can't build)
Existing structure footprints — house, garage, sheds
The location of your proposed project
A north arrow and scale bar
Driveway and street access
Some counties want more: utility locations, grading contours, impervious surface calculations. Call your building department and ask for their site plan checklist — most have one. It's a 5-minute call that saves hours of revision.
Why Plans Come Back for Revision
The most common rejection reasons have nothing to do with the project itself — they're drawing issues:
No scale bar — the reviewer can't verify dimensions
Setback lines missing — where you can and can't build isn't shown
Proposed vs. existing not distinguished — what's new isn't clearly marked
North arrow missing — a small thing that gets flagged constantly
Dimensions not labeled — distances from property lines aren't called out
These are all fixable before you submit if you know about them ahead of time.
How to Get a Site Plan for a Building Permit Using InQI
InQI's AI site plan generator pulls county parcel data, aerial imagery, and property records from any US address and generates a scaled, editable site plan in under 60 seconds.
Enter your address — InQI pulls your parcel boundaries, setback lines, and structure footprint automatically
Add your proposed project — draw the new structure on the lot and label its dimensions and setback distances
Check codes — Codes.IQ looks up your zoning rules by address so you can confirm compliance before you submit
Download — export as PDF for permit submission, or DXF/SVG for contractor or CAD use
What It Typically Costs
Method | Typical Cost | Turnaround |
Drafting service | $150–$400 | 24–72 hours |
Licensed surveyor | $300–$800 | 3–7 days |
InQI | from $29 | Under 60 seconds |
Note: some counties require a licensed survey for specific project types — this is a separate legal document. InQI's site plan covers the vast majority of standard residential permit applications, but confirm with your county what they accept. See pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all building permits require a site plan?
No — it depends on your county and the type of project. Simple interior work usually doesn't. Exterior additions, ADUs, pools, and detached structures often do. Always verify with your local building department before assuming either way.
Does InQI's site plan work for any county in the US?
InQI generates site plans from parcel data for any US address. Format requirements vary by county — most accept PDF. A small number of jurisdictions require a professional stamp for certain project types. Confirm your county's requirements before submitting.
Do I need a licensed surveyor?
For most standard permit site plans, no. A licensed boundary survey is a different document — typically required for mortgage lending, boundary disputes, or subdivision applications, not standard residential permits. But requirements vary by county, so always check.
How accurate is the parcel data InQI uses?
InQI draws from the same county parcel records your building department uses in their GIS system. In rare cases — recently subdivided lots or properties with recent boundary changes — data may lag. If something looks off, contact InQI support.
Can I reuse the same site plan for multiple permits?
The base plan can be reused. Each permit needs the specific proposed project added and the plan re-exported. In InQI you update the same drawing rather than starting over.
Get Your Site Plan in Under 60 Seconds
Once your site plan is ready, check your zoning rules in Codes.IQ before you submit — it looks up what applies to your specific address.
