Departments > Planning & Development > Permits & Inspections > Requirements for Residential Building Permit

Plans submitted for the building permit application are required to be "designer" quality. The following information details the specific plan requirements for your application. This list of requirements is not all encompassing. Additional information may be requested during the building permit application process.

Site Plan
A site plan is best described as a bird's eye view of your property.

• drawing scale not less that 1/16" = 1'0" (1:200)
• street address and legal description
• size and location of site including adjoining streets and location of lanes
• size and location of proposed new construction and existing structures, including decks, projections and cantilevers.
• all setbacks to all existing and new buildings, decks, projections and cantilevers measured perpendicular to the property lines
• existing and finished grades at all corners of all buildings and property corners
• overall building height elevation (contact Planning Department for information)
• easements, right-of-ways, water courses, and areas restricted by covenant
• north arrow

Site Servicing Plan
Site servicing plans are required to be submitted for all building permits applications except those building permit applications submitted to alter or add to an existing building where such work will not affect the building's use, servicing or access requirements. Applications submitted without a complete site servicing plan, when required, will be rejected. The following information may be detailed in conjunction with the site plan requirements above.

• drawing scale not less that 1/16" = 1'0" (1:200)
• proposed and redundant driveway crossings with offsets from property lines
• curbs, sidewalks and onsite parking
• onsite surface drains
• sewer and drain services
• water services (domestic and/or fire)
• hydro electric services (overhead or underground)
• gas services
• telephone service (overhead or underground)

Dimensions showing locations, including depths and elevations of underground services where applicable are required for all the above items. Further information on site servicing plans is available from the Engineering Department.

Foundation, Floor, and Roof Plans
A floor plan is an above view of each floor as seen if you were to remove the roof or ceiling and all construction above. A foundation plan is similar to a floor plan but also shows the footings and foundations as if they were exposed.

• drawing scale of not less that 1/4" = 1'0" (1:50)
• complete dimensions to all construction, outside dimensions of building, room sizes etc.
• foundation plan to indicate complete foundation/strip footing layout, footings for columns, size and spacing
• all rooms labeled for intended use
• location and size of doors and windows, including egress openable size
• location, size and spacing of beams, columns, footings, joists and roof framing indicating lumber grade and species - clearly identifying all loads carried to foundation/footing
• locate all attic and crawlspace access
• show interconnected smoke alarm locations
• stairs showing direction of travel and dimensions
• plumbing fixtures, appliances, fireplaces, and heating/venting systems
• mechanical ventilation details, such as principal, bathroom and kitchen fans cfm, sones, duct sizes etc.

Cross Sections of Footing/Foundation
These types of drawings are cut away views.

• drawing scale of not less that 1" = 1'0" (1:10)
• all footings dimensioned and dimension finished grade to top of slab as well as to top of foundation wall
• concrete strength
• interior and exterior dampproofing
• insulation details on foundation (and slab if applicable)
• sill plate protection and anchorage
• perimeter drainage systems
• if slab on ground detail concrete strength, dampproofing and granular material

Cross Sections and Construction Details
These types of drawings are cut away views of the building. This is best described as the side view you would see if you were to cut through your building and pull it apart at that point, much like some doll houses that open up on hinges.

• drawing scale of not less that 1/4" = 1'0" (1:50)
• floor, deck, ceiling, roof and wall assemblies
• structural details
• completely dimensioned including floor to ceiling height of all habitable rooms and crawl spaces
• all construction materials
• show stair design, rise/run, guard design, and graspable handrail section

Elevations
These are views of your building as seen standing on the ground facing your building. For example, as east elevation would be the view of the east side of the building as you look west toward it.

• drawing scale of not less that 1/4" = 1'0" (1:50)
• full elevations of all building faces (show existing and new) clearly demonstrating the site grading
• indicate exterior finish material(s) and all flashing locations
• existing and finished grades at building corners and clearance from grade to bottom of siding or stucco
• chimney height and distance to roof
• elevations at each finished floor, uppermost ceiling and mid-point of roof (contact Planning Department for further information)
• window and door locations and sizes
• spatial separation calculations

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