Plotwise field guide

Make sense of your permit site plan.

Plain-language guidance for homeowners and small contractors—from the first property measurement to the finished drawing sheet.

Step-by-step

How to Make a Site Plan for a Building Permit

Gather property information, choose a scale, draw existing conditions, place proposed work, and assemble the final sheet.

Annotated example

See how property lines, setbacks, dimensions, structures, a north arrow, scale, legend, and title block work together.

The basics

Understand what a site plan communicates, how it differs from a survey, and when professional help may be required.

Costs

Compare drawing it yourself, a drafting service, and a licensed surveyor — and when each one is the right call.