If you are planning to build a shed, deck, fence, pool, or garage, your permit office may ask for a site plan. A site plan shows your property from above and explains where the proposed project will be located in relation to property lines, existing structures, setbacks, driveways, sidewalks, and other site features.

For many homeowners, the site plan is one of the most important drawings in a permit application. It helps the city, county, or HOA understand what you want to build and whether the project appears to fit on the lot.

Why You May Need a Site Plan

A site plan helps reviewers see how your project fits on the property. Instead of only saying, “I want to build a shed in the backyard,” the plan shows the shed size, location, distance to property lines, distance to the house, driveway access, and other important details.

The International Residential Code says construction documents submitted with a permit application should be accompanied by a site plan or plot plan showing the size and location of new construction, existing structures on the site, and distances from lot lines. Source: International Code Council – IRC Site Plan or Plot Plan.

The City of Provo explains that a site plan is generally necessary when applying for a building permit and gives examples such as a fence, home addition, new deck, storage shed, and freestanding sign. Source: City of Provo – Residential Site Plan Information.

For a broader overview of the details commonly required, review our permit site plan checklist for homeowners.

Step 1: Check the Permit Requirements First

Before ordering or drawing a site plan, check the permit requirements for your city, county, or HOA. Some small projects may not need a permit in certain areas, while other projects may require a site plan, construction drawings, a survey, engineering, or additional forms.

Permit requirements can vary based on:

• Project type
• Project size
• Property zoning
• Setback rules
• Lot coverage limits
• Historic district rules
• Floodplain or drainage conditions
• HOA requirements
• Whether the project is close to property lines or easements

The City of Bellevue describes a residential site plan as a drawing of what is existing and what is proposed on a lot. Bellevue also says property lines, setback distances, streets, rights-of-way, and easements must be verified and accurately shown. Source: City of Bellevue – Residential Site Plan.

Step 2: Gather Your Property Information

To prepare a good site plan, you need basic property information. The more accurate the information, the better the final drawing can be.

Helpful items include:

• Property address
• Survey, if available
• Plat map or parcel map
• County assessor map
• Lot dimensions
• Photos of the property
• Project sketch or contractor drawing
• Dimensions of the proposed shed, deck, fence, pool, or garage
• Measurements from the proposed project to property lines
• Driveway, sidewalk, alley, and street information
• Utility or easement information if known

If you have a recent survey, it can be a strong starting point. If you do not have a survey, the site plan may be prepared using public parcel data, aerial imagery, owner-provided measurements, and project details. Always verify dimensions before construction.

A site plan and a boundary survey are not the same document. Our guide on site plans versus surveys explains the difference and when a licensed survey may be required.

Step 3: Show Existing Structures

A site plan should show what already exists on the property. This usually includes the house, garage, driveway, walkway, patio, deck, shed, pool, fence, and other important site features.

Showing existing structures helps reviewers understand the current property layout. It also helps separate existing work from proposed work.

Tacoma’s permit guidance says a site plan should show where existing and proposed buildings are located, include a north arrow, scale, and property lines, and label distances between structures and property lines. Source: Tacoma Permits – Site Plan Guidance.

Step 4: Add the Proposed Project

The proposed project should be clearly labeled and dimensioned. Reviewers should be able to quickly tell what is new, where it will go, and how large it will be.

For example:

• A shed site plan should show the shed size and location.
• A deck site plan should show the deck footprint, stairs if needed, and distance to lot lines.
• A fence site plan should show the fence line, gate locations, and height if required.
• A pool site plan should show the pool location, equipment pad, barriers, and distances from nearby structures.
• A garage site plan should show the garage footprint, driveway access, setbacks, and distance to the house.

The proposed work should be easy to identify on the drawing. Use labels such as “proposed shed,” “proposed deck,” “proposed fence,” “proposed pool,” or “proposed garage.”

Step 5: Show Setbacks and Distances

Setbacks are the required distances between a structure and the property lines. They are one of the main reasons a permit office asks for a site plan.

Your site plan should show the distance from the proposed project to the front, side, and rear property lines. It may also need to show the distance from the proposed project to the house, garage, fence, pool, septic system, easement, or other site features.

The City of Ramsey says accessory structure permit applications may require a survey or site plan showing proposed building dimensions, distances, and setbacks to existing structures, property lines, septic systems, and other applicable items on the property. Source: City of Ramsey – Accessory Structure Permit.

Site Plan for a Shed

A shed site plan usually needs to show the shed footprint, dimensions, location in the yard, and distance to property lines. If the shed is near a fence, easement, septic system, drainage area, or another structure, those details may also need to be shown.

Important shed site plan details may include:

• Shed width and length
• Distance to rear property line
• Distance to side property line
• Distance to the house or garage
• Existing fence, driveway, or easement if nearby
• Whether the shed is on skids, slab, blocks, or another base

A shed is often a simple project, but it can still create issues if it is placed too close to a property line or inside an easement. See our detailed guide on site plans for shed permits.

Site Plan for a Deck

A deck site plan should show where the deck attaches to the house, how far it extends into the yard, and whether stairs or landings are included. If the deck is raised, additional construction drawings may be needed for posts, beams, footings, guards, and stairs.

Important deck site plan details may include:

• Deck size and shape
• Deck location on the house
• Stair location if proposed
• Distance to rear and side property lines
• Distance to patios, pools, fences, or other structures
• Deck height if relevant to the permit

A deck may look like a backyard improvement, but it can still affect setbacks, lot coverage, drainage, and safety review. Read more about deck permit site plan requirements.

Site Plan for a Fence

A fence site plan should show the proposed fence line, gate locations, and property boundaries. Some permit offices also ask for fence height, material, corner visibility areas, and distance from sidewalks or streets.

Important fence site plan details may include:

• Fence location along the property
• Fence height
• Gate locations
• Street, sidewalk, alley, or driveway areas
• Visibility triangles near corners or driveways if required
• Property lines and lot dimensions

Do not assume that an existing fence is exactly on the property line. If the fence location matters legally, a survey may be needed.

Our fence permit site plan guide explains what the drawing may need to show for boundary, height, gate and street-corner review.

Site Plan for a Pool

A pool site plan is often more detailed than a shed or fence plan. It may need to show the pool location, equipment pad, barrier fence, gates, utility routes, drainage, and distance to the house and property lines.

Important pool site plan details may include:

• Pool shape and dimensions
• Distance from pool edge to property lines
• Distance from pool to house, deck, or patio
• Pool equipment location
• Fence or barrier location
• Gate locations
• Electrical or utility information when required
• Drainage or grading notes if needed

Pool requirements can be strict because pools involve safety barriers, electrical clearances, drainage, setbacks, and sometimes easements or utility conflicts.

Review our detailed article on site plans for pool permits before preparing the layout.

Site Plan for a Garage

A garage site plan should show the proposed garage footprint, driveway access, distance to property lines, and distance to the existing house. If the garage is detached, reviewers may need to understand how vehicles enter and exit the property.

Important garage site plan details may include:

• Garage width and length
• Distance to side and rear property lines
• Distance to the house
• Driveway location and width
• Alley or street access
• Garage door orientation
• Utilities if applicable
• Lot coverage or building coverage when required

A garage can affect setbacks, parking layout, driveway access, drainage, and total building coverage on the lot.

Our garage permit site plan guide covers the location, driveway, parking, setback and lot-coverage information commonly requested.

Step 6: Show Driveways, Sidewalks, Streets, and Alleys

Driveways, sidewalks, streets, alleys, and access paths help reviewers understand how the property works. These details are especially important for garages, fences with gates, pools, ADUs, carports, and driveway projects.

A good site plan should label the street frontage and show the driveway or access route. If the lot has an alley, show the alley too. If a sidewalk, curb cut, or parking area is part of the project, include it clearly.

When the proposed work changes vehicle access, review our guides on driveway permit site plans and driveway widening site plans.

Step 7: Add Utilities, Easements, and Drainage When Needed

Some projects need utility, easement, or drainage information. This is especially common for pools, garages, additions, ADUs, retaining walls, and projects involving digging or new utility connections.

Useful details may include:

• Water line location when known
• Sewer line location when known
• Gas or electric service when known
• Utility easements
• Drainage easements
• Drainage direction or slope arrows
• Septic systems or wells if applicable

Kittitas County’s code lists property lines and dimensions, existing and proposed development, roads, sewer and water lines, wells, utilities, easements, water bodies, floodplains, critical areas, drainage facilities, and septic/drainfield areas among site plan-related items for permit applications. Source: Kittitas County Code – Building and Construction.

Drainage and elevation details can become especially important for retaining wall permit site plans.

When You May Need a Survey

A site plan is not always the same as a boundary survey. A survey is usually prepared by a licensed surveyor and is used to verify property boundaries, corners, easements, and other legal property information.

You may need a survey if:

• The permit office specifically requires one
• The project is close to a property line
• The property boundary is uncertain
• There is a boundary dispute
• The project may affect an easement
• You are building a garage, pool, addition, or other major structure near a setback

If you already have a survey, it can often be used as the base for a cleaner permit site plan.

Common Site Plan Mistakes

Many permit delays happen because the site plan is missing basic information. Common mistakes include:

• Not showing property lines
• Using a fence line as the property line
• Leaving out the existing house or garage
• Not labeling the proposed project
• Forgetting setback dimensions
• Not showing distance between the proposed work and existing structures
• Leaving out driveway, sidewalk, street, or alley information
• Not showing easements or utilities when known
• Submitting a blurry screenshot or rough sketch
• Not checking the local permit checklist first

Our article on why site plans get rejected or delayed explains the most common correction requests and how to avoid them.

How SitePlanPros.com Can Help

SitePlanPros.com helps homeowners and contractors prepare clear site plans for common residential projects. We can create a clean drawing that shows the property layout, existing structures, proposed work, setbacks, driveway, access, and other key details for permit review, HOA approval, or project planning.

Common projects we help with include:

• Shed site plans
• Deck site plans
• Fence site plans
• Pool site plans
• Garage site plans
• Carport site plans
• Patio cover site plans
• Driveway site plans
• Addition site plans
• ADU site plans

More project-specific guidance is available for carport permit site plans, patio cover and pergola permits, home addition permits, and ADU permits.

Final Thoughts

Getting a site plan for a shed, deck, fence, pool, or garage starts with understanding what your permit office needs. In most cases, the plan should show property lines, existing structures, proposed work, project dimensions, setbacks, driveway or access, and any relevant utilities, easements, or drainage features.

A clear site plan can help homeowners explain the project, reduce confusion, and support a smoother permit or HOA review process. It also helps to understand what permit reviewers check first on a site plan before submitting.

Sources

• International Code Council – IRC Site Plan or Plot Plan
• City of Provo – Residential Site Plan Information
• City of Bellevue – Residential Site Plan
• Tacoma Permits – Residential Site Plan Guidance
• City of Ramsey – Accessory Structure Permit
• Kittitas County Code – Building and Construction