How To Draw a Site Plan – Simplified for Homeowners

Creating a site plan on your own is possible and can save you the cost ($500 to $1,200) of hiring an architect or licensed surveyor.

However, it’s not an easy task, and the approach to site plan drawing may vary based on your skills, preferences, and the specific details required for the plan.

Keep reading to find out all you need to know about drawing a site plan.

Key Takeaways

• Before starting your site plan, it’s crucial to define its purpose, gather property details, measure boundaries, and decide on your drawing technique.
• When drawing a site plan, you can choose between hand drawing or using specialized design software.
• Creating a site plan follows a structured process: begin by outlining boundaries and progressively incorporate elements like utilities, structures, and landscaping.

How to Draw a Site Plan: An Overview

To draw a site plan, it’s important to have at least a basic understanding of technical drawing or to be comfortable using drawing software. 

This is because a site plan is a critical document for any project, outlining the layout and elements of the property.

There are several things included in creating a site plan:

1. Drawing preparation – This includes gathering accurate property measurements (the foundational step to ensure precision in your design) and determining the site plan intent.
2. Selecting a drawing method – Depending on your project’s needs and your preference, you can either:
   • Draw by hand – using graph paper, a pencil, and a ruler.
   • Use software – opting for specialized programs to create a digital version.
3. Following a guide – Understanding the essential steps will help guide you through creating a site plan that meets your specific requirements.

Now, let’s start from the beginning and see how to prepare for drawing.

Site Plan Drawing Preparation

Before starting the actual drawing, it’s essential to lay the groundwork. Proper preparation ensures accuracy and a smoother process. 

This phase involves two key tasks:

• Defining the intent
• Gathering property measurements

Determine the Intent of the Site Plan

First, clarify the purpose of the site plan—will it be for official use or private purposes? 

This decision will guide how detailed and precise the drawing needs to be. At this stage, adherence to zoning regulations is crucial.

Collect the Property Line Information and Dimensions

You can obtain property line information and dimensions by:

• Acquiring official documents 
• Hiring a surveyor
• Taking measurements yourself using modern tools

Find Official Documents

You can obtain your site plan property measurements by asking for official maps that include your property. 

There are several ways to do it:

• Use the tax assessor’s map – Use your property’s tax lot number to access the tax assessor’s map, which shows updated lot dimensions based on recorded surveys. While it doesn’t display buildings or other structures, it provides accurate property boundaries. Here’s an example of an assessor map website for Sacramento County [1].
• Subdivision plat – Refer to your property’s legal description on the deed to find its lot number and subdivision name. This can help you access the recorded plat, which details your lot’s boundaries. For example, in Sacramento County, you can obtain it by visiting their Recorder’s Office [2].
• Building records – If your property has an existing structure with building permits, the officials may have an archived site plan. You can use this as a reference to save time. In most counties, like Sacramento, you must complete a Public Request to obtain the site plan [3].

Hire a Surveyor

A licensed surveyor can survey the land before drawing the site plan and take a precise topographic survey of your property, providing accurate data to prepare your site plan (topography details and elevation notes will be valuable here).

Use Modern Tools (GIS or Google Earth)

If you prefer to handle all aspects of the drawing yourself and you have enough skills, you can use GIS software or Google Earth to take measurements for free.

Many local governments provide access to public GIS resources [4]. 

To obtain a detailed map, enter specific information like your address, property owner’s name, or parcel number. Once you locate your property, you can explore various layers and save or print a copy of the map.

Alternatively, if you’re comfortable with Google Earth, you can use its measuring tool to outline property lines and dimensions for your site plan [5].

The most reliable method for measuring property dimensions is by doing it yourself, so we’ll cover it separately later in the text. 

Now, after gathering all the necessary information and defining the intent, it’s time to decide which drawing method best suits your project.

Site Plan Drawing Techniques: Software and Manual

As we mentioned, you draw a site plan in two different ways, depending on your preferences and skills. 

The two main DIY site plan options are: 

1. Using specialized software 
2. Old-fashioned hand-drawing

Speaking about site plan drawing programs, there are various types, differing from free to paid versions or downloadable and online. Read more about the best software for site plan.

Here’s the table showing a brief overview of each drawing method.

AutoCAD (Professional / Complicated)

AutoCAD is probably the most popular design software that has site plan features included. 

It offers precision that allows users to illustrate detailed and complex site plan drawings, but for the same reason, it requires hours of learning and is not recommended for amateurs. 

On top of that, a 1-year subscription to this software costs around $1,700. 

Here’s an example of how to draw a site plan with this software: 

Cedreo (Easy to learn / Expensive)

Cedreo has a user-friendly interface, and that’s why it may be slightly more suitable for amateurs drawing a site plan. 

It has intuitive drawing tools, but it comes with a minimum price of $79, which may not be cost-effective if you intend to create one site plan for a specific purpose, considering you could get a professionally done simple site plan for approximately $89.

Here’s how to sketch a site plan in Cedreo.

Sketchup (Cheap / Complex Features)

Again, software with a user-friendly interface that allows DIY homeowners to create their own detailed site plan. 

However, like every similar software, it has lots of features and tools that require time investment to learn how to use it the right way. Here’s a guide showing you what to expect.

Furthermore, the price for the most popular plan starts at $49.99.

Lastly, although some AI-powered site plan drawing software is available today, it’s not yet fully reliable. For now, it’s wiser to rely on more established programs, like the one mentioned above.

Hand-drawn Site Plan

If your local building department accepts it, a hand-drawn site plan is another DIY option. Yet, while it’s free, it’s probably the most difficult one and most time-consuming.

To draw a site plan by hand, you will need the following equipment:

• Graph paper: Use it to maintain scale in your drawing. Always select graph paper with a grid size that allows you to fit the entire site comfortably while providing enough detail. 

Begin the traditional process with a rough sketch and gradually refine it into a more accurate depiction. 

To save your time, we provided a printable horizontal and vertical site plan template with grids below:

• Pencil: Ideal for sketching, paired with a quality eraser for corrections. Furthermore, when selecting your drawing tools, choose high-quality options to ensure precision. For instance, mechanical pencils with fine leads are great for producing clean, sharp lines.
• Ruler: Necessary for drawing straight lines and measuring distances. To maintain correct proportions, establish a scale before starting. For example, you could use a scale where 1 inch on paper represents 10 feet on the property. 

This approach will help you accurately reflect measured distances in your drawing and achieve clear spatial organization.

• Protractor: Useful for measuring and marking out angles.
• Compass: For creating circles or arcs.
• Triangle: Helps with additional accuracy when forming angles.

Now that you’ve explored various drawing methods, let’s focus on the crucial prerequisite for any drawing once more—measurements and dimensions. To double-check dimensions whenever you have any doubts, you can always apply on-the-ground measurements. 

Here’s how to do it. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing a Site Plan

This guide will assist you in deciding whether you’re ready to take on the task yourself, as site plans not only outline property boundaries and structures but also depict zoning regulations, which dictate how the property can be developed and used.

Proper preparation and attention to detail will ensure your site plan is accurate and well-structured.

Therefore, it’s essential to follow each of the steps carefully and understand the process thoroughly (steps are similar to those when drawing a plot plan).

Here are the steps for drawing a site plan:

1. Set up your workspace
2. Set the drawing scale
3. Define property boundaries
4. Include a North Arrow and Legend
5. Add Existing Structures
6. Mark Driveways and Walkways 
7. Draw Landscape Features
8. Locate Utilities
9. Review and Refine
10. Finalize and Present

Now, let’s see each step in more detail.

1. Set up Your Workspace

Gather the tools necessary for manual site drawing (like graph paper, pencil, ruler, etc.) or a computer if you prefer drawing using software. 

2. Set the Drawing Scale

To draw a site plan using a proper site plan scale, select the one (Architectural or Engineering) that fits well on your chosen medium, whether paper or digital and leaves enough space for detailed elements (i.e., 1 inch = 20 feet). Write down the numeric scale you used.

3. Define Property Boundaries

Start by sketching the property lines based on your measurements. The layout outlines the property boundaries, ensuring that the lengths and angles have accurate positions according to the collected data. 

Be sure to include comprehensive details of the property boundaries.

4. Include a North Arrow and Legend

A north arrow helps orient the site plan, while a legend explains the symbols and line styles used in your drawing. Here’s how to read a site plan and its details.

5. Add Existing Structures

Include measurements for all structures, making sure they are scaled and aligned with property boundaries. Consider any structural elements that may influence the overall design of the property layout.

6. Mark Driveways and Walkways 

Show the paths for vehicles and pedestrians in their precise locations, as these can influence the overall design and land use.

7. Draw Landscape Features 

Depict elements such as trees, gardens, and changes in terrain like slopes or water features, as they can affect the site’s usability and appearance. 

Inclusion of landscape features is essential to distinguishing different types of landscape features clearly, so always label the structures and vegetation on the blueprint.

8. Locate Utilities

If needed, mark the location of all utilities on the site development plan using symbols or markers, including water, electricity, gas, and sewage. 

Proportional drawing to scale should be applied when marking utilities as well.

9. Review and Refine 

Check the plan to ensure all components are included, correctly scaled, and clearly labeled. Clear labeling and organization, along with a legible layout and proper orientation, are key to a successful plan, so ensure you make any necessary adjustments for clarity. 

10. Finalize and Present 

Remove any unnecessary marks or unclear lines. Your site plan is now ready to be shared with stakeholders, used as a blueprint for contractors, or submitted for permits.

Yet, remember that in some cities or counties, like in New Smyrna Beach, there are even more details a site plan should show (like the name of adjacent roads, well main location, sewer line location, septic tank location, etc.), so make sure to check with your local building department first [6].

How to Measure for the Site Plan on Your Own

The accuracy of your site plan depends entirely on precise measurements, as they form the foundation of its reliability.

Therefore, make sure to choose the tool and method you think it’s most suitable and you’re most skilled with:

• Measuring wheel: Ideal for larger properties; simply walk the wheel along the perimeter to measure total distance.
• Tape measure: Best for short distances, such as between landscape features.
• Laser measure: Measures hard-to-reach or distant spots effortlessly with a button click.
• GPS device: Provides precise coordinates, perfect for large or undeveloped areas.

Additionally, to make sure you’ll measure the dimensions accurately, do the following:

1. Inspect your tools: Ensure your equipment is in good condition and appropriate for the task. For example, a tape measure should be free of kinks and not stretch.
2. Maintain a consistent unit of measurement: Choose a single unit (feet, meters, etc.) and use it throughout to prevent conversion mistakes.
3. Document all measurements: Record each measurement as you go, labeling them clearly on your draft. A well-organized log is crucial for accurately translating these dimensions to your final site plan.
4. Account for terrain changes: Consider any slopes or uneven ground, as they can impact the scale and layout of your plan.
5. Calculate setback distances for buildings: Determine the required setback distances for structures from property lines and other features to ensure zoning compliance with local regulations.
6. Get assistance: Having someone help can increase precision and make lengthy tasks more manageable.
7. Verify your measurements: Measure everything at least twice to confirm accuracy. If there’s a discrepancy, re-measure to ensure correctness.

Use a Professional Redraw Service for Site Plans

If learning how to draw a site plan feels overwhelming, there’s an easier alternative: ordering a site plan online.

This option saves you the time and effort of:

✅ mastering specialized software 

✅ paying for design tools

✅ spending hours drawing precise lines on graph paper 

✅ double-checking measurements on your own

In as little as 24 hours, you’ll have a professionally drawn site plan for a permit, ensuring that all dimensions and requirements are accurate, thanks to a team of skilled experts handling the details.

How To Draw a Site Plan FAQs

Choose the Method That Fits You

If you’re a DIY enthusiast, drawing a site plan yourself can be a rewarding challenge. 

However, if you need a site plan for building permits or other official purposes, keep in mind that a poorly executed plan can lead to delays or complications. Additionally, drawing a site plan can often take longer than expected, especially if you’re on a tight schedule.

In these cases, ordering a site plan online may be the best option. 

For the cost of a monthly subscription to some DIY design software, you can have a professionally drawn site plan for a permit delivered in just 24 hours.

References:

https://assessor.saccounty.net/MapsPropertyDataAndRecords/Pages/AssessorParcelViewer.aspx
https://assessor.saccounty.gov/MapsPropertyDataAndRecords/Pages/AssessorRecords.aspx
http://www.citrusheights.net/181/Public-Records
https://www.mass.gov/gis-resources-and-services-for-municipalities
https://support.google.com/earth/answer/9010337?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop
https://www.cityofnsb.com/676/Steps-to-drawing-a-Site-Plan