Site Plan Services
Existing, proposed, and permit-ready site plans prepared to support your building department submission.
Professional Site Plan Drafting for Residential
Projects
Many residential projects, whether it's a new home, an addition, an ADU, or a garage conversion, starts with the same question from the building department: where exactly does this go? A site plan answers that question. It shows your property, your structures, and your project in relation to the lot, and in most jurisdictions, it's one of the first documents reviewed before anything else moves forward.
Complete Drafting Services LLC prepares residential site plans as part of our project documentation work and as a standalone service for homeowners who need one on its own. If your project needs a clear, accurate site plan for a new structure, an addition, or simply to accompany a permit application, we can prepare it based on your property information and project scope.
This page covers what a site plan is, what it includes, when you need one, and how we approach the drafting process from start to finish.
What Is a Site Plan?
A site plan is a drawn, to scale representation of a property as seen from above. It shows the boundaries of the lot, the location of existing and proposed structures, and the relationship between the building and the surrounding property, setbacks, driveways, utilities, and other relevant site features.
Site plans generally fall into two categories:
-
Existing site plan: documents the property as it currently sits, including existing structures, driveways, and site conditions, before any work begins.
-
Proposed site plan: shows the property as it will look once your project is complete, with new construction, additions, or site changes clearly indicated.
Many residential projects require both: an existing site plan to establish the starting point and a proposed site plan to show what's changing. Together, they give the building department and you a clear picture of the project from the ground up.
What Does a Site Plan Include?
A residential site plan typically includes:
-
Property lines and lot dimensions
-
North arrow and scale
-
Existing and proposed structures, shown to scale
-
Setbacks from property lines
-
Easements, if applicable
-
Utility connections (water, sewer, electrical) where relevant to the project
-
Site elevations or grading notes, when required
-
Adjacent streets and access point
The exact requirements vary by project type and by the building department reviewing the application. Some jurisdictions ask for additional detail, tree locations, drainage, or fire access, for example, and we adjust the drawing to match what's actually required for your submission.
Our Site Plan Drafting Services
We prepare site plans to fit the scope of your project, whether you need a plan on its own or as part of a larger drawing package.
A documented record of your property as it currently stands, used to establish a baseline before design work begins or to support a permit application that requires existing conditions.
Existing Site Plans
Proposed Site Plans
A drawing of your property showing the project as designed, new construction, an addition, a converted structure, or other site changes, positioned accurately in relation to your lot and existing improvements.
Residential Site Plans
Site plans prepared for single-family homes, additions, ADUs, garages, and other residential structures, scaled and detailed to reflect your specific property and project.
Site Plans for Permit Documentation
Site plans prepared to meet building-department submission requirements, formatted and detailed to support the permit review process for your project.
If your project only needs a site plan, not a full set of construction drawings, we can prepare that on its own. If you're further along and need site plans as part of a complete drawing package, we handle that too. You can see how site plans fit into our broader packages on our pricing and plan options page.
Projects That May Require a Site Plan
A site plan is one of the most commonly requested documents across residential project types, including:
-
New home construction: establishing the building's placement on a vacant or redeveloped lot.
-
Home additions: showing how the expanded footprint relates to setbacks and the existing structure.
-
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): a near universal requirement, since ADU placement, access, and parking are closely reviewed.
-
Garage rebuilds and conversions: particularly when the garage's footprint, use, or access changes.
-
Home repairs: for repair projects that affect the structure's footprint or site conditions.
-
Fire restoration: to document the property and rebuild scope where the original structure was damaged or lost.
If you're not sure whether your specific project needs a site plan, it's worth a quick conversation before you apply for permits. In many cases, it's required whether or not the project changes the building's footprint.
You can see examples of the kinds of residential projects we work on across our residential drafting projects page.
Site Plans for Building Permit Applications
Most building departments require a site plan as part of a permit application, regardless of project size. It's often the first drawing reviewed, since it establishes whether the proposed
work complies with zoning setbacks, lot coverage limits, and other site specific requirements before the reviewer even looks at the building design itself.
We prepare site plans to support building-department submission, formatted to reflect the information your project's application typically calls for. Requirements differ from one
jurisdiction to the next, so we base the drawing on your property details and the scope of work you're applying for.
It's worth noting that a properly prepared site plan supports the review process, it doesn't guarantee approval. Every jurisdiction has its own review standards, and some projects require additional documentation, engineering input, or revisions based on department feedback. Where a project involves elements outside standard drafting, for example, engineering calculations or specialized site work, we can coordinate with engineers and other professionals as needed to keep your submission moving.
Our Site Plan Drafting Process
1
Project details
We start by gathering information about your property and project, the type of work, the scope, and any documentation you already have, such as a survey, plot plan, or prior drawings.​
2
Property research
We review available property information, including lot dimensions and existing conditions, to establish an accurate base for the drawing.
3
Drafting
We draft the site plan to scale, incorporating the required elements, property lines, structures, setbacks, and site features, based on your project scope and applicable submission requirements.
4
Review and revisions
We share the drawing with you for review. If adjustments are needed to reflect your project accurately or to address specific department requirements, we make them before finalizing.
5
Delivery
You receive a completed site plan ready for your records, your design process, or your permit application.
Why Choose Complete Drafting Services for Site Plan Drafting
-
Focused on residential work: We work specifically on residential projects, single-family homes, additions, ADUs, garages, and related structures, so our drafting is built around the details these projects actually involve.
-
Site plans that fit your project, not a template: Every property is different. We draft each site plan around your specific lot and project scope rather than adapting a generic layout.
-
Built to support your submission: Whether you need a site plan on its own or as part of a full drawing package, we prepare it with building department submission in mind.
-
One point of contact: You work directly with our team throughout the drafting process, from initial details through final delivery.
-
Coordination when your project needs it: If your project requires input from an engineer or another professional, we coordinate that as part of the process rather than leaving you to manage it separately.
How Site Plans Fit Into a Larger Drawing Package
A site plan rarely stands entirely alone once a project moves into construction. For most new homes, additions, and ADUs, it's paired with floor plans, elevations, and, depending on the project, roof plans, electrical plans, and structural drawings to form a complete permit ready package.
If you're just getting started and only need a site plan for now, that's a reasonable place to begin. If your project is further along, we can prepare the site plan alongside the rest of your drawing set so everything is consistent and submitted together. Our pricing and plan options page outlines how site plans are included across our project packages, from concept level drawings through full permit sets.
See how the full set comes together on our residential permit drawing services page.
How Site Plans Fit Into a Larger Drawing Package
Do I need a site plan for a small project, like a shed or a fence? Many jurisdictions require a site plan even for smaller projects, particularly if the structure affects setbacks or lot coverage. Requirements vary by location, so it's best to confirm with your local building department or ask us directly about your specific project.
What's the difference between a site plan and a survey? A survey is a legal, field measured document of your property boundaries, typically prepared by a licensed surveyor. A site plan is a drawing that shows your property and project layout for design and permit purposes. We can prepare a site plan using an existing survey if you have one, or based on available property information if you don't.
Can you prepare a site plan without a full set of construction drawings? Yes. We prepare standalone site plans for homeowners who only need that document at this stage, as well as site plans included within a complete drawing package.
Will a site plan from Complete Drafting Services guarantee my permit is approved? No drafting service can guarantee approval, that decision rests with your local building department. What we can do is prepare a site plan that accurately reflects your property and project, formatted to support the submission and review process.
Do you work with properties outside California? Yes, we work with residential projects nationwide. Site plan requirements vary by jurisdiction, so we base each drawing on your property details and your local department's expectations.
How long does it take to get a site plan? Timelines depend on project complexity and the information available for your property. We'll give you a clear expectation once we understand the scope of your project.
What information do you need from me to get started? Basic property details, an address, and a description of your project scope. If you have an existing survey, plot plan, or prior drawings, those help us work more efficiently, but they're not always required.