Site Plan Drawings
A clear site plan shows how proposed work fits on the property. Building Permit Group prepares property-specific site plan drawings for residential permit applications and zoning review across Toronto and the GTA.
It Connects the Project to the Property
A site plan is not a separate type of building permit. It is a scaled drawing that may form part of a residential permit or planning submission. It helps the municipality understand the lot, existing conditions and where the proposed work sits in relation to property lines and other buildings.
For many exterior residential projects, the site plan is where zoning information becomes visible: setbacks, building footprint, lot coverage, parking, accessory structures and other site conditions can affect whether the proposal fits the applicable municipal rules.
What a Residential Site Plan May Show
The information required varies by project and municipality. Depending on the application, a site plan may need to document the following conditions clearly and to scale.
Property Boundaries
Lot dimensions, property lines and, where applicable, rights-of-way or easements based on appropriate property information or a current survey.
Existing & Proposed Buildings
The house, additions, garages, sheds, decks or other relevant structures, including overall dimensions and the proposed building footprint.
Setbacks & Separation
Dimensioned distances from proposed construction to property lines and, where required, distances to other buildings on or near the lot.
Zoning Information
Applicable project information such as lot area, building area, gross floor area or lot coverage where those items are relevant to municipal zoning review.
Driveways & Parking
Existing or proposed driveways, parking spaces and related site dimensions where the project or municipal submission requires them.
Site Features
Relevant hard and soft landscaping, exterior stairs, decks, accessory structures, grade information or other features needed to explain the proposal.
Projects That Often Need Site Information
A municipality may request a site plan whenever the location of proposed work affects zoning, access, setbacks or other site conditions.
Home Additions
Rear, side and other additions commonly require the proposed footprint and setbacks to be shown against the existing lot and house.
Garages & Accessory Buildings
Detached garages, sheds and workshops may require location, setbacks, building separation, driveway and parking information.
Secondary Suites & New Openings
Some interior alteration applications can still require a site plan when a second suite or new exterior opening is part of the work.
Decks & Exterior Work
Projects extending into a yard may need the municipality to see their location relative to lot lines, the house and other site features.
New Residential Construction
New houses and additional dwelling units can require more extensive site information and may also require a separate grading plan.
Planning or Zoning Review
A site plan can help document the proposed dimensions used to assess zoning compliance or identify where further planning review may be needed.
They Are Related, but They Are Not the Same Document
A property survey establishes surveyed property information and existing features. A permit site plan uses reliable property information to present the existing and proposed project in the format needed for review.
For example, Toronto's residential permit guidance commonly describes the site plan as a “survey or site plan” showing property lines and lot area, and it may require the plan to be referenced to a current survey. Whether an existing survey is sufficient depends on its accuracy, the project and the municipality's requirements.
From Property Information to Submission Drawing
The work starts with the actual property and proposed project, not a generic template.
Review the Project
We identify the proposed work, municipality and the site information likely to be relevant to the application.
Review Property Information
Available survey, property dimensions, existing structures and other source information are reviewed for drawing preparation.
Prepare the Site Plan
The existing property and proposed work are organized into a clear, scaled drawing with project-specific dimensions and notes.
Coordinate the Permit Package
The site plan is coordinated with the related permit drawings and municipal submission requirements where it forms part of a larger application.
One Site Drawing Should Agree With the Rest of the Permit Set
- Property-specific drawing preparation rather than a generic site-plan template.
- Coordination with the proposed addition, garage, deck, suite or other residential permit work.
- Attention to zoning-related dimensions that affect the proposed building location.
- Municipality-specific submission requirements considered where applicable.
- Clear separation between existing conditions and proposed work.
- Permit-package coordination so the site plan, floor plans and other drawings do not contradict one another.
Site Plan Requirements Are Not Identical Across Ontario
Ontario's Building Code framework applies provincially, but zoning, planning and submission requirements are administered locally. Municipalities can ask for different site information depending on the property and project.
Toronto, for example, lists site-plan information for residential additions that includes property lines, lot area, existing and proposed buildings, setbacks, zoning information, parking, driveways, landscaping and accessory structures. Other municipalities may organize or request their documentation differently.
Need a Site Plan for Your Permit Package?
Send us the project details and any survey or property information you already have. We can review what is available and determine the next drawing step.
Site Plan Drawing Questions
Is a site plan the same as a building permit?
No. A site plan is a drawing that may be required as part of a building permit, zoning or planning submission. The permit is the municipal authorization for the work.
Do I need a survey to prepare a site plan?
It depends on the property, project and municipality. Some applications require site information to be referenced to a current or up-to-date survey. Existing information should be reviewed before deciding whether it is sufficient.
What does a residential site plan show?
Depending on the project, it may show property lines, lot dimensions, existing and proposed buildings, setbacks, parking, driveways, accessory structures, landscaping, zoning information and relevant grade information.
Do home additions need a site plan?
They commonly do because the municipality needs to understand the proposed addition's footprint, setbacks and relationship to the existing property. Exact submission requirements vary by municipality.
Can a site plan be drawn from Google Maps?
Online mapping can be useful for general reference, but it should not be treated as verified property-boundary information for a permit drawing. The drawing should rely on appropriate property information for the application.
Does a site plan prove my property line?
Not by itself. A permit site plan is not a substitute for a legal survey prepared to establish property boundaries. Where boundary certainty is important, appropriate survey information may be required.
Is a grading plan the same as a site plan?
No. They can overlap in some information, but a grading plan specifically addresses existing and proposed elevations, drainage and grading conditions. Some projects require both.
Can you prepare only the site plan?
That depends on the project and the information available. In many permit applications the site plan should be coordinated with the rest of the drawing set, so we first review what the municipality and project require.
What if my proposed project does not meet zoning?
The site plan can help identify the relevant dimensions, but it does not grant zoning relief. Depending on the issue, the proposal may need redesign or a separate planning process such as a minor variance.
Are site plan requirements the same in Toronto and other GTA municipalities?
No. Municipal submission requirements and zoning rules vary. The drawing package should be prepared around the municipality reviewing the property.
Official Guidance Used for This Page
For current municipal requirements, refer to the applicable building and planning department. Toronto's official documentation index and residential addition guide identify site-plan content such as property lines, existing and proposed buildings, setbacks, zoning information, parking and other site features. Requirements can change and may differ in other municipalities.