A site plan is a scaled, overhead drawing of your property that shows boundaries, buildings, driveways, and other features. It gives permit reviewers a clear picture of your lot and any proposed changes. Most building departments require one when you apply for a construction, fence, pool, or shed permit.

Do I need a professional to create a site plan?

Not always. Many jurisdictions accept DIY site plans for straightforward residential projects like fences, sheds, driveways, and pools. Site Plan Creator provides the tools to make a permit-ready plan yourself using real property data and satellite imagery. For complex commercial or subdivision projects, a licensed surveyor or engineer may be required.

What should a site plan include?

A typical site plan shows property boundaries with dimensions, existing and proposed structures, setback distances from property lines, driveways and walkways, easements, and a north arrow. Some permits also require a vicinity map, impervious surface calculations, or topography contour lines — all of which Site Plan Creator supports.

How do I find my property's site plan requirements?

Check with your local building or planning department. They usually provide a submittal checklist or site plan handout listing exactly what your plan needs to include. You can also visit our state requirements guide for an overview of common rules in your area.

Can I use Site Plan Creator for commercial properties?

Yes. Site Plan Creator works for both residential and commercial properties. Features like the parking layout generator, impervious surface calculator, and zoning data lookup are especially useful for commercial projects. Enter any address to get started.

Site Plan Creator Blog

Tips, guides, and best practices for creating professional site plans. Learn about building permits, property surveys, and site plan requirements.

Austin Shed Permit Requirements: What You Need to Know in 2026
Building a shed in Austin or Travis County? Permit requirements can be surprisingly complex, with rules varying by size, zoning, and lot location. This guide breaks down exactly what you need to know in 2026 to stay compliant and get your project approved.
How to Find Parcel Maps Online: A Complete 2026 Guide
Finding parcel maps online has never been easier — but knowing where to look and how to interpret what you find can make or break your property project. This guide walks you through every method, tool, and resource available in 2026 for conducting a reliable parcel boundary map search.
Online Site Plan Generators: How They Work in 2026
Online site plan generators have transformed how homeowners, contractors, and architects create permit-ready property drawings. Learn exactly how these browser-based tools work, what they produce, and why they're replacing expensive CAD software for thousands of property owners every year.
How to Create a Simple Site Plan for a Permit (2026 Guide)
Creating a simple site plan for a permit doesn't have to be overwhelming. This step-by-step guide walks you through everything you need — from reading your property survey to drawing accurate building footprints — so your permit application gets approved the first time.
Site Plan vs Survey: What's the Difference?
Site plans and surveys are both essential property documents, but they serve very different purposes. Understanding the difference can save you time, money, and headaches when navigating the permit process.
How to Show Drainage on a Site Plan: Complete Guide
Showing drainage correctly on a site plan is one of the most critical — and most misunderstood — parts of the permit application process. This guide walks you through every element you need to include, from flow arrows and swales to detention areas and drainage easements, so your plans get approved the first time.
How to Create a Site Plan for a Deck Permit (2026)
Getting a deck permit requires more than just a building plan — you need a professional site plan showing exactly where your deck sits on your property. This guide walks you through every step of creating a deck permit site plan that satisfies building departments and gets your project approved.
What Is a Plot Plan Used For? Complete Guide 2026
A plot plan is one of the most essential documents in property development, yet many homeowners and builders aren't sure what it actually does. This comprehensive guide explains every major use case for a plot plan — from securing building permits to resolving property disputes — and shows you how to create one that meets professional standards.
How to Add Measurements to a Site Plan: Complete Guide
Adding accurate measurements to a site plan is one of the most critical steps in getting your permit approved. This guide walks you through every dimension you need to include, how to measure correctly, and common mistakes that cause permit rejections.
How to Create a Site Plan for a Garage Permit
Getting a garage permit requires more than just a building plan — you need a detailed site plan showing exactly where your structure sits on the property. This guide walks you through every step of creating a permit-ready garage site plan, from gathering survey data to submitting your final drawing.
How to Draw a Deck on a Site Plan for Permits
Drawing a deck on a site plan is a critical step in the permit approval process, yet many homeowners aren't sure where to start. This guide walks you through every element your deck permit site plan must include — from property boundaries and setbacks to building footprints and accurate dimensions — so you can get approved faster.
How to Show Easements on a Site Plan: Complete Guide
Easements are legally binding encumbrances that must be accurately represented on any permit-ready site plan. This comprehensive guide walks you through exactly how to identify, document, and draw easements on your property site plan — from utility corridors to drainage rights-of-way — so your permit application clears review the first time.
Common Site Plan Mistakes That Cause Permit Rejections
A rejected permit application can set your project back weeks or even months — and most rejections stem from avoidable site plan errors. Learn the most common site plan mistakes that planning departments flag, and how to get your submission right the first time.
ADU Site Plan Requirements: What You Need to Know in 2026
Getting your ADU permitted starts with a code-compliant site plan that satisfies your local building department. This comprehensive guide breaks down every element your ADU site plan must include — from property boundaries and setbacks to utility connections and zoning compliance — so you can move from idea to approved permit with confidence.
How to Draw a Driveway on a Site Plan for Permits
Drawing a driveway on a site plan is a critical step in securing permits for new construction, driveway expansions, or paving projects. This guide walks you through every element your driveway site plan must include — from property boundaries and setbacks to materials and drainage — so your permit application gets approved the first time.
SitePlanCreator vs SmartDraw vs Canva for Permits
Not all drawing tools are built for permit submissions — and that distinction can cost you weeks of delays. This honest comparison of SitePlanCreator, SmartDraw, and Canva breaks down which tool is right for homeowners, contractors, and designers who need a site plan that actually gets approved.
What Cities Look for When Reviewing a Site Plan
Getting your site plan approved the first time requires knowing exactly what reviewers are looking for. This expert guide breaks down every element cities evaluate during the site plan review process, from setbacks and parking to drainage and accessibility.
How to Measure Distances on a Site Plan Accurately
Accurate site plan measurements are the foundation of every successful permit application and property development project. This guide walks you through every method, tool, and best practice for measuring distances on a site plan — from reading scale bars to calculating setbacks and building footprints.
How to Draw a Site Plan Without AutoCAD in 2026
AutoCAD is powerful, but it's expensive, complex, and overkill for most residential permit applications. This guide walks you through exactly how to draw a permit-ready site plan without AutoCAD — using tools built for real people, not CAD engineers.
How to Draw Property Lines on a Site Plan (Complete Guide)
Accurately drawing property lines on a site plan is one of the most critical steps in securing a building permit. This comprehensive guide walks you through every aspect of property boundary drawing, from sourcing legal survey data to placing lot lines correctly on a permit-ready site plan.
Site Plan Checklist for Building Permits: Complete Guide
A missing label or incorrect setback measurement can send your building permit application straight back to you — costing weeks of delays. This comprehensive site plan checklist covers every element your building department expects to see, so you can submit with confidence and get approved faster.
How to Find Property Lines for a Site Plan (Complete Guide)
Knowing exactly where your property lines are is the foundation of any accurate site plan. This guide walks you through every method available — from online parcel maps to professional surveys — so you can locate your lot lines with confidence and create a permit-ready site plan.
Site Plan Examples for Building Permits: A Complete Guide
Getting a building permit approved starts with a professional site plan. This guide walks you through real site plan examples, explains every required element, and shows you exactly what permit offices expect to see before they stamp your application.
Pool Permit Site Plan Example: What to Include & Why
Getting a pool permit requires more than just a contractor quote — you need a detailed site plan that satisfies your local building department. This guide walks you through a real pool permit site plan example, breaking down every required element so you can get approved faster.
Fence Permit Site Plan Requirements: Complete Guide
Getting a fence permit approved starts with one critical document: a properly prepared site plan. This guide breaks down exactly what your fence permit site plan must include, common mistakes to avoid, and how to create a permit-ready drawing that satisfies your local building department.
Free Site Plan Maker: How to Draw a Site Plan Online
Creating a permit-ready site plan no longer requires expensive CAD software or a hired draftsman. This guide walks you through how to draw a site plan online using a free site plan maker, covering everything from property boundaries to setback requirements.
Best Site Plan Software for Permits: Complete 2026 Guide
Getting a building permit approved starts with submitting the right site plan. This guide breaks down the best site plan software options available in 2026, what permit offices actually require, and how to choose the right tool for your project.
How to Show Setbacks on a Site Plan (Complete Guide)
Showing setbacks correctly on a site plan is one of the most critical steps in getting your building permit approved. This comprehensive guide walks you through exactly how to represent zoning setbacks, draw setback lines, and annotate dimensions so your site plan meets local requirements the first time.
Site Plan vs Plot Plan: What's the Difference?
Site plans and plot plans are often used interchangeably, but they serve distinct purposes in the permitting and property development process. Understanding the difference can save you time, money, and permit rejections before your project even breaks ground.
How to Draw a Site Plan for a Shed Permit (Complete Guide)
Getting a shed permit requires more than just a building sketch — you need a proper site plan showing your property boundaries, setbacks, and structure placement. This guide walks you through exactly how to draw a shed site plan that meets permit requirements and gets approved the first time.
What Is a Site Plan? The Complete Homeowner’s Guide (With Examples)
Confused about what a site plan is or why the city is asking for one? Here’s a simple, clear guide that explains what a site plan includes, why it matters, and how to get one approved fast.
Software vs Hand Drawn vs Professional Drafting: How to Create a Site Plan
Not sure whether to draw your site plan by hand, use CAD, use site plan software, or hire a professional? This guide compares the most common options, including accuracy, time, cost, and when each method makes sense for permits.
Common Reasons Site Plans Get Rejected (And How to Avoid Them)
Getting a site plan rejected by a city or county can feel frustrating, especially when the feedback is short or vague. The reality is that most site plan rejections happen for the same handful of reasons, regardless of location. After reviewing thousands of permit comments and resubmittals, a clear pattern emerges. Cities are not looking for perfection. They are looking for clarity, consistency, and compliance with basic requirements. Below are the most common reasons site plans get rejected, along with simple explanations of what reviewers are actually looking for.
The City Asked for a Site Plan. Here’s What That Actually Means (and How to Do It)
Got an email from the city asking for a site plan? This homeowner-friendly guide explains what a site plan really is, why cities require it, and how to create a permit-ready site plan using SitePlanCreator.com.
How to Draw a Site Plan for a Permit Using SitePlanCreator.com (Step-by-Step Guide)
Learn how to draw a permit-ready site plan using SitePlanCreator.com. This step-by-step guide shows homeowners and contractors how to create a scaled site plan with property lines, measurements, setbacks, and a clean PDF export for permit submission.