Most residential permits start with a site plan, and most first-round zoning comments come from it. Reviewers are not looking for a pretty drawing. They are looking for the lines and numbers the code measures from.
What a reviewer looks for
Property lines and dimensions from the plat, a survey or the best available record.
Setbacks to every structure, measured from the right line.
Easements for utilities and access, which a building cannot sit on.
Lot coverage and any floor area limits, calculated, not estimated.
Utilities including water, sewer or septic, and where new lines run.
Stormwater approach for new impervious area.
Critical areas and their buffers where they apply.
Trees where the jurisdiction regulates them.
Where site plans go wrong
Setbacks measured from the curb or fence instead of the property line.
Easements left off because they were not on the tax map.
Coverage that leaves out decks, driveways or accessory buildings where the code counts them.
Drainfields and septic tanks not shown on rural lots.
Why it matters beyond zoning
The site plan is the base for the building permit, the stormwater review and any land use review. A wrong line on it shows up in every later sheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a survey for a permit site plan?
Not always. Many residential permits accept a site plan drawn from the plat and records. Tight setbacks, unclear lines or land divisions usually need a survey.
What is the most common site plan correction?
Setbacks measured from the wrong line and missing easements are among the most common.
Does a deck count toward lot coverage?
It depends on the jurisdiction and the deck height. Seattle, for example, counts decks over 36 inches high toward lot coverage.
Sources
Insights are general information researched from published sources on the date shown. Rules change, so confirm with the permitting authority before you act.
