What is a Site Plan? Site Plan vs Plot Plans

What is a Site Plan?

A site plan is a scaled drawing that shows the layout of a proposed or existing building or development. It shows the location of the building on the property, the size and shape of the building, the location of parking areas, and the layout of streets and sidewalks on the property.

Site plans are used by architects, engineers, developers, and city planners to design and approve new buildings and developments. They are also used by homeowners and builders to plan remodeling projects.

One of the most significant aspects of a site plan is demonstrating the relationship between what already exists and what you intend to build.

Site plans are generated in a variety of ways; they will not all be designed in the same way. This is due to the fact that different building authorities would have varied requirements.

Some licenses require you to engage a land surveyor, whereas others allow you to draft the plan yourself on graph paper. Before proceeding, you should check with your permitting agency for clarification on this topic.

When it comes to making improvements and additions to a specific property, governments demand site plans to verify that both local and state construction rules are followed.

Another reason site plans are important and necessary is because governments often save site plans for historical records, especially when landowners make significant alterations to their homes.

A site plan, in general, is an architectural plan, landscape architecture document, and comprehensive technical drawing of proposed modifications to a specific property.

Site plans are frequently developed by a design consultant who must be a qualified engineer, architect, landscape architect, or land surveyor.”

What is a Plot plan?

A plot plan is a scaled drawing of an owner’s property that shows the location, size, and shape of the building lot and its improvements. The plan also shows the location of trees, fences, utility lines, and other features on the lot.

A plot plan is a scaled engineering schematic that illustrates a planned project site/process plot’s block, utility blocks, building blocks, roads, and Pipe rack connectivity.

The plot plan is a schematic that illustrates all of the facilities at the facility that are inside the plot’s battery limit. Other critical infrastructures, such as the principal access road, are also required.

A plot plan is the father of all planning.

The role of a plot plan is to ensure that buildings constructed in regions follow the local land-use plans and development regulations.

A plot plan for your current home helps you to make improvements to an existing building or building a new structure by showing you where everything goes on your property.

A plot plan or site map also helps you to keep track of your neighbors’ homes, pools and property boundaries.

So, a plot plan is drawn to scale, but not to exact dimensions; it’s a diagram that shows what is on your property relative to existing land features and existing structures.

Plot plans are often used in real estate transactions as they show the current use of the land and what can be built where. It’s often referred to as a parcel map.

You can thus, use plot plans for everything from building homes to building fences and designing gardens.

In General, a plot plan is a plan drawing—diagram of an existing or prospective project site’s building, utility runs, and equipment layout, as well as the position of roads and other constructions—in architecture, engineering, and/or landscape architecture.

Plot plans are often referred to as site plans.

Site Plan vs Plot Plans: Guidelines

Guidelines for a Site Plan

The following are some items that should be included in most site plans:

• Your Name and Address: These are the most fundamental and important items to include in your web approach. Include your name, address, and contact information. You don’t have to include the street address on a site plan unless it is part of your parcel line number. The street address may be included in the sample by including the line: “The residence of (your name)”.
• Your range, township, tax las, and section will all be included in your legal description. This is for the purpose of specifying your property boundaries, and making certain you are aware of how your house is situated in their particular area.

For example, your house might be outside the range or township lines. If so, the legal description will inform you of this fact and how it impacts your property line.

The same applies to other vital information about the house itself and its location in relation to neighboring houses. It is crucial to include a site plan with any permit applications that require one as well as any construction permits you apply for.

• The site plan diagram’s scale must be correct. This is for the convenience of the Land Surveyor who will make necessary measurements relative to this information.
• The site’s soils: you may need a soil report to help develop your design.
• The site plan must include the North cardinal direction to show how your property is oriented. This is important if you are using the design aspect of a site plan for any specific data.
• Property Lines: Your property lines must be included in the site plan. This is because it’s important for determining your development’s setback requirements.
• Details such as the location of your driveway and neighboring streets, for example, should be included in the site plan.

Layout of your house and driveway should be included with the site plan. You also want to specify where your septic system is and how it connects to the main line or sewer.

The site plan must relate to all of these elements with specifics on how everything is laid out in relation to one another. The illustration’s format must be clearly identified by numbers, letters, or symbols that make sense.

• Existing and Proposed Structures: The site design should encompass both existing and proposed structures. This is for the purpose of showing how the structure complies with local building codes, zoning ordinances, and other applicable codes.

Guidelines for a Plot Plan

The following are the steps for creating a plot plan:

• Take measurements of the property and existing structures with a measuring wheel.
• Begin by positioning a measuring wheel in one of your property’s corners and walking behind it as it moves along your property lines.
• Make a note of how long each side of your property is.
• Repeat for each structure on the property.
• Once the measurements are obtained, draw a scaled outline of the lot on graph paper.
• Draw a scaling rule in the corner of the graph paper to demonstrate the conversion of feet to inches. For example, one-inch equals ten feet.
• Draw the current buildings and structures, as well as any suggested changes or additions, on your plan using the scale rule.
• Draw a directional arrow or a compass to show how the property is oriented.
• Write your name, address, and phone number on the plan.
• Include the square footage of the property and the project.
• Include percentages for building coverage, impervious coverage, and green space in your area, as well as bulk percentages.

Summary

The distinction between a Plot Plan and a Site Plan is subtle. A plot plan typically refers to a single structure on a single plot, such as a single-family home.

A Site Plan, such as a commercial mall, can include many structures on single or multiple plots. If a Site Plan just has one structure on a single plot, it reverts to a Plot Plan, and the two are interchangeable. The phrase “Plot Plan” can be used for single-family residences.

A site plan shows both existing structures on a site and how they are laid out relative to one another. It helps you to visualize the design of your property.

A plot plan, on the other hand, shows all proposed structures on a property and how they will be laid out in relation to existing buildings, roads, and land features.

It helps you to illustrate the design of your structure so that you can build it correctly according to local codes and regulations.

The distinction between a Plot Plan and a Site Plan is subtle. A plot plan typically refers to a single structure on a single plot, such as a single-family home. A Site Plan, such as a commercial mall, can include many structures on a single or multiple plots. If a Site Plan just has one structure on a single plot, it reverts to a Plot Plan, and the two are interchangeable. The phrase “Plot Plan” can be used for single-family residences

FAQs

Why is a site plan important?

A site plan is an important part of the planning process for a construction project. The site plan shows the location of the proposed project, as well as the surrounding property.

It is used to ensure that the project is in compliance with zoning regulations and to help with the coordination of construction activities.

A site plan is significant because it offers information about the landscape elements of a certain lot. Site plans are all developed differently; they will not all be designed in the same way.

Who creates a site plan?

A site plan is a map or diagram of a property that shows the location of buildings, streets, and other features. Site plans are typically created by a landscape architect, civil engineer, or surveyor.

Garden designers and landscapers use site plans to construct garden and landscape designs as well as to depict improvements to a property. They are also used by homeowners to plan home improvement projects such as a new pool, garage, or deck.

How do you get a site plan?

In many regions, you can request a copy of the site plan from the local government. Most counties, cities, and municipalities preserve a record of all site plans for all properties under their jurisdiction.

These blueprints can be obtained by contacting the town or city’s building office or the clerk’s office.

What is a plot survey?

Simply described, a plot plan is a building plan for a plot of land, and a survey is produced to indicate what is actually on the plot of land. Many builders in our region engage a surveyor to design the plot plan, but this is not essential.

What is a plot in a story?

Plot definition Plot is a literary phrase that describes the events that make up a story, or the main element of a story.

These events are related to one another in a pattern or sequence. The structure of a novel is determined by the order of events in the story’s plot.

How much does it cost for a site plan?

An online site plan is substantially less expensive than employing a surveyor. According to HomeAdvisor.com’s most recent data, the national average cost of engaging a land surveyor is $775, with most homeowners spending between $644 and $906 for a certified plan.

How much is a plot plan?

Estimate for a Plot Plan or Plat Survey

Plot plans range in price from $75 to $200, and plat surveys obtained from the county range in price from $10 to $30. They are diametrically opposed to one another. Plot: A plot is a specified parcel of land that is its own property, such as that for a house.

What is Plot percentage?

The percentage of land that is developed and landscaped versus how much land will remain unbuilt on a plot plan. A plot plan is helpful in determining the best spot to build your home on your property.

What are the stages of site planning?

Stage I, “site exploration,” is preliminary; stage II, “site research,” is detailed; all of these stages are finished before building begins; and stage III, “foundation investigation,” is conducted during construction.

What is the difference between a site plan and a plat?

The “final” and authorized plat is the subdivision plan that will be registered in municipal land records. A site plan is a drawing that depicts the project from above. It depicts the primary features of the land as well as the footprint of present and future structures.

What is a comparison chart?

A comparison chart is an overview of the features that are included in different kinds of plans for municipalities. A comparison chart can be used to determine what plan you should use.

What is a plot plan?

A plot plan is a scale drawing of the boundaries, existing buildings, and structures on single or multiple lots. A site plan includes land around the property, existing buildings, and structures as well as proposed additional construction.

How do I get my site survey done?

A professional engineer or land surveyor can prepare your site survey for you.

What is a site plan scale?

A site plan, often known as a ‘block plan,’ is commonly scaled at 1:200 or 1:500. This means that the map, when printed on an A4 page, would be 200 or 500 times smaller than the actual location. 1cm on the map, for example, might span 200 or 500cm in the real site area, or 2m or 5m.

Are site plans accurate?

A site plan is a precisely sized design that depicts the existing circumstances on a unit of land, including property lines, as well as the position of any proposed and existing construction, such as structures, paving, and land uses.

How much does it cost for an architect to draw up plans?

Architects charge between $2,000 and $20,000 to develop basic drawings, or between $15,000 and $80,000+ for full-service design and construction.

The average architect charge for drawing house designs is 8% to 15% of the building expenditures, or 10% to 20% for remodels.

Architects charge hourly charges ranging from $100 to $250 per hour, or $2 to $15 per square foot.