Option 1: Draw it yourself
Many departments accept owner-prepared site plans for sheds, fences, decks, patios, and small additions. Doing it by hand costs only your time, but getting the scale, setbacks, and dimensions right is where most corrections come from.
With Plotwise, drawing is free. The Homeowner plan is a flat $49 one-time per plan and adds the official lot-line lookup and the permit-ready 11×17 PDF with title block, scale, north arrow, and legend.
Option 2: Hire a drafting service
Online and local drafting services draw the plan for you from your notes and property records. Pricing is usually per plan and rises with rush delivery, revisions, or larger lots. Expect to wait on turnaround and send details back and forth.
Option 3: Pay a licensed surveyor
A boundary survey or stamped plot plan is the most expensive route, often running from several hundred to a couple of thousand dollars depending on the lot and your area. It's required when your department asks for a survey, when lot lines are disputed, or when you're building close to a setback.
How to tell which one you need
Look for words like "survey," "stamped," or "prepared by a licensed professional" on your permit application or checklist. If they're there, you'll need a surveyor or design professional. If the checklist only asks for a drawing to scale showing property lines, structures, and setbacks, an owner-drawn plan is usually fine.
If you're not sure, call the permit counter and ask before you pay anyone.