What Drawings Are Required for a Building Permit? | Complete Guide
Industry Insights
•
5 min
Team Evolution
Mar 28, 2025
If you’re planning a remodel, addition, ADU, garage, or new home and wondering, “What drawings are required for a building permit?” you’re asking the right question.
Most permit delays happen not because the project is wrong, but because the documentation is incomplete.
The exact requirements vary by city and county, but there are core drawings that nearly every building department requires before approving a permit.
Let’s walk through them in plain English.
The Short Answer
Most residential building permits require:
Site plan
Floor plans
Elevations
Construction details
Structural information (when applicable)
Some projects require more. Very few require less.
If your drawings don’t clearly show what you’re building and how it complies with zoning and safety codes, your permit application will likely be rejected or placed on hold.
👉 Need Permit-Ready Drawings? Start Here
1. Site Plan (Almost Always Required)
A site plan for building permit shows how your project sits on your property.
It typically includes:
Property lines with dimensions
Existing structures
Proposed construction
Setbacks
Driveways and access
Easements
Utilities (sometimes)
Cities use this to verify zoning compliance — especially setback requirements and lot coverage.
For additions, ADUs, detached garages, decks, pools, and new construction, a permit site plan is almost always mandatory.
2. Floor Plans
Floor plans are the backbone of your permit drawings.
They show:
Room layout
Dimensions
Wall locations
Doors and windows
Plumbing fixtures
Basic structural information
For remodels, the city may require:
Existing floor plan
Proposed floor plan
This helps plan reviewers understand exactly what is changing.
If walls are being moved or structural elements are affected, clarity here is critical.
3. Elevations
Elevations are exterior views of the structure.
They show:
Building height
Exterior finishes
Roof pitch
Window and door placement
Elevations are commonly required for:
Additions
New construction
Exterior modifications
Detached structures
Cities use elevations to verify height limits and neighborhood compatibility standards.
4. Construction Details
Details zoom in on specific parts of the structure.
Depending on your project, this might include:
Foundation details
Wall sections
Framing connections
Stair details
Guardrail specifications
Energy code compliance elements
The more structural the change, the more detail the city will require.
5. Structural Drawings (When Required)
If your project involves:
Load-bearing wall removal
New beams
Foundation changes
Large additions
Multi-story structures
You may need structural calculations or engineered drawings.
In some jurisdictions, this requires a licensed structural engineer’s stamp.
Not every remodel needs engineered plans — but when structural changes are involved, they often do.
6. Additional Documents Some Cities Require
Depending on location (California, Florida, Texas, Utah, and other states all vary), you may also need:
Energy compliance reports
Truss calculations
Soils reports
Drainage plans
Impervious surface calculations
HOA approvals
Zoning clearance documentation
Local requirements can differ significantly between cities, even within the same state.
This is why checking with your specific building department — or working with someone familiar with permit documentation — matters.
Why Permits Get Rejected
Here’s what commonly causes delays:
Missing site plan
Incomplete dimensions
No indication of setbacks
Inconsistent drawings
Illegible or hand-drawn diagrams
Structural changes without engineering
Even small omissions can trigger correction notices and resubmissions.
Most building departments won’t “fill in the blanks” for you — if it’s not shown clearly in the drawings, they can’t approve it.
Can I Submit Hand-Drawn Plans?
In very limited cases, some small jurisdictions allow hand-drawn plans for minor projects.
However, most cities require:
Scaled drawings
Accurate dimensions
Clear labeling
Compliance with building code standards
DIY submissions frequently result in corrections — not because the project is wrong, but because the documentation isn’t complete or formatted properly.
Professional drafting significantly reduces that risk.
How to Know Exactly What Your City Requires
The safest way to determine required drawings is to:
Check your city or county building department website
Look for a “Residential Permit Submittal Checklist”
Confirm whether structural review is required
If the checklist feels overwhelming, that’s normal. Permit documentation can be more technical than most homeowners expect.
How Professional Drafting Simplifies the Permit Process
A professional drafting service ensures:
Drawings are properly scaled
Required components are included
Plans are organized for review
Permit submittal packages are complete
Instead of guessing what the city wants, you submit a clear, structured set that aligns with standard review expectations.
For remodels, additions, and new residential construction, this often saves weeks of back-and-forth with plan reviewers.
Ready to Prepare Your Permit Drawings?
If you’re applying for a building permit and want to avoid delays, the first step is making sure your drawings are complete and compliant.
We prepare:
Site plans
Floor plans
Elevations
Construction details
Permit-ready drawing sets
If you’re unsure what your jurisdiction requires, we can help you determine the appropriate documentation for your project scope.
👉 Request a Quote for Permit-Ready Drawings Below
