How to Get a Site Plan for a Permit in Canada

If you are applying for a building permit in Canada, your municipality may ask for a site plan before it can review the project. A site plan shows the property from above and explains where the existing house, proposed work, property lines, setbacks, driveway, easements, landscaping, and other site details are located.

For many homeowners, the hardest part is not understanding why a site plan matters. The hard part is knowing how to get one, what information to provide, and what the municipality expects to see.

This guide explains how to get a site plan for a permit in Canada, step by step. It is written for homeowners preparing permits for additions, decks, sheds, garages, pools, porches, carports, basement entrances, driveway changes, and other residential projects.

siteplans.ca prepares professional site plans for Canadian homeowners, builders, designers, and property professionals. If your municipality has asked for a site plan, we can help turn your property information into a clean, permit-ready drawing.

What Is a Site Plan for a Permit?

A site plan is a drawing that shows the layout of your property from above. It helps municipal reviewers understand what already exists on the lot, what you want to build, and how the proposed work fits within the property.

A permit site plan may show:

property lines and lot dimensions;
existing house and structures;
proposed addition, deck, garage, shed, pool, porch, or other work;
front, side, and rear yard setbacks;
driveway, walkway, and access layout;
streets, lanes, or alleys beside the property;
easements, rights-of-way, or restrictive covenants where known;
utilities and services where relevant;
landscaping, open space, or hard surfaces where required;
grading and drainage direction where required;
north arrow, scale, legend, labels, and notes.

City of Toronto says a survey or site plan for garage and carport permits should show property lines, lot area, rights-of-way or easements, existing and proposed buildings, overall dimensions, setback dimensions, and zoning information such as lot area, building area, coverage, and grade elevations. [1]

City of Edmonton says a site plan for a home addition must show the entire existing property and include a north arrow, property address, streets and avenues, property-line dimensions, proposed and existing buildings and structures, setbacks, and applicable caveats, covenants, and easements. [2]

What the Image Shows

The image above shows a practical example of the site plan process. It includes a step-by-step workflow, a site plan example, a list of information needed from the homeowner, a legend, notes, typical permit uses, and the benefits of a professional drawing.

The process shown in the image is simple:

submit your property information;
review the municipal requirements;
draft the site plan;
review the plan;
receive the final permit-ready drawing.

This is the same basic process most homeowners follow when they need a site plan for a Canadian building permit.

Step 1: Check What Your Municipality Requires

Before ordering or preparing a site plan, check the permit checklist for your municipality. Requirements vary by city, project type, zoning by-law, property conditions, and approval pathway.

For example, a simple deck may need a basic site plan showing the deck location and setbacks. A home addition may need a more detailed site plan showing lot coverage, drainage, existing structures, and relationship to property lines. A pool may need fence, barrier, equipment, and setback information. A garage may need driveway or lane access details.

Start by checking:

your city or municipality building permit page;
the permit guide for your project type;
zoning by-law requirements;
deck, shed, garage, pool, addition, or driveway permit checklists;
any correction notice or request for information you already received.

City of Calgary says applications and submitted materials must be clear, legible, and precise, and that only complete applications will be accepted. [3]

Step 2: Gather Your Property Address and Project Details

The property address is the starting point for preparing a site plan. It helps identify the lot, municipality, street frontage, zoning context, and nearby property layout.

You should provide:

full property address;
municipality or city;
province;
postal code if available;
nearest intersection if the property is hard to identify;
legal description or parcel information if available.

You should also explain the project clearly. The site plan should match the permit application, so the drafter needs to know what you are building.

Useful project details include:

project type;
proposed size;
proposed location on the property;
whether the work is attached or detached;
whether any existing structure will be removed;
whether the driveway, access, or drainage will change;
whether the municipality already gave you comments.

Step 3: Find Any Existing Survey, Real Property Report, or Old Plans

If you already have a survey, Real Property Report, plot plan, title plan, or old permit drawing, send it. These documents can make the site plan more accurate and easier to prepare.

Useful existing documents may include:

survey plan;
Real Property Report;
property title plan;
old building permit drawings;
builder drawings;
grading plan;
municipal property records;
subdivision or lot plan;
previous site plan.

A survey or Real Property Report can be especially helpful because it may show existing structures, lot dimensions, boundary information, and easements. A site plan can often be prepared from available information, but it is not a substitute for a legal survey when exact boundary confirmation is required.

Step 4: Send Photos, Sketches, and Markups

Photos and sketches help explain the site clearly. Even a simple phone photo with a markup can help show where the proposed work should go.

Helpful photos include:

front of the house;
rear yard;
side yard where the work is proposed;
driveway and access area;
existing deck, shed, garage, pool, or porch;
fences, gates, or retaining walls;
trees or landscaping that may affect the work;
nearby easement, lane, or utility area if visible.

A simple sketch can show:

where the proposed structure will be located;
approximate dimensions;
distance from the house;
distance from fences or property lines;
driveway or walkway changes;
items to remove or keep.

The sketch does not need to be perfect. Its job is to communicate your intent so the site plan can be drafted accurately.

Step 5: Confirm the Proposed Work Dimensions

Most site plans need the size of the proposed work. A reviewer cannot properly check setbacks or lot coverage if the proposed footprint is unclear.

Common dimensions include:

addition length and width;
deck size;
shed or garage footprint;
pool size;
porch or landing dimensions;
driveway width and length;
stairs and walkway dimensions where relevant;
distance from proposed work to property lines.

For example, if you are building a proposed addition, the site plan should show the addition footprint, its length and width, and the distance from the addition to nearby lot lines and existing structures.

Step 6: Make Sure Existing Structures Are Shown

A permit site plan should show what already exists on the property. This is important because reviewers need to understand the full site layout before reviewing the proposed change.

Existing structures may include:

main house;
attached garage;
detached garage;
shed;
deck;
porch;
carport;
pool or hot tub;
driveway;
walkways;
retaining walls;
fences and gates;
patio or hard surface area.

City of Ottawa says a site plan should identify the existing house, other existing structures such as garages, sheds, and decks, and proposed additions or new structures. [4]

Step 7: Show Property Lines and Setbacks Clearly

Setbacks are one of the first things reviewers check. A setback is the distance between a structure and a property line. If setbacks are missing, the municipality may ask for a correction before continuing the review.

A site plan should usually show:

front yard setback;
rear yard setback;
interior side yard setbacks;
exterior side yard setback for corner lots;
distance between proposed work and existing structures;
distance to easements or rights-of-way where relevant.

For a detached garage, shed, deck, porch, addition, or pool, the proposed work should be shown with clear distance labels to the relevant property lines.

City of Edmonton’s home renovation guidance says a site plan must include the location, measurements, and setbacks of proposed and existing buildings and structures. [5]

Step 8: Add Driveway, Walkway, and Access Details

Driveway and access details matter when the project affects parking, garages, carports, basement entrances, driveway widening, rear lanes, or construction access.

A site plan may need to show:

existing driveway;
proposed driveway changes;
driveway width;
garage or carport access;
walkways and entrances;
rear lane or alley access;
parking spaces where required;
hard surfaces and paved areas.

Driveway details can affect zoning, lot coverage, stormwater, public curb access, and parking compliance. If the driveway is being changed, a separate municipal driveway approval may also be required.

Step 9: Include Easements, Rights-of-Way, and Services Where Known

Easements and rights-of-way can restrict where you build. They may be used for utilities, drainage, access, sewer lines, shared driveways, or other legal purposes.

A site plan should show known:

utility easements;
drainage easements;
sewer easements;
access easements;
laneway rights-of-way;
restrictive covenants;
shared driveways;
utility service areas.

Toronto’s garage and carport permit guidance includes rights-of-way or easements among the items that should be shown on the survey or site plan. [1]

If you are not sure whether your property has an easement, check your survey, Real Property Report, title documents, municipal records, or project checklist.

Step 10: Add Grading and Drainage Information if Required

Not every site plan needs detailed grading information, but many permit applications need at least basic drainage context. This is more likely when the project changes roof area, driveway area, hard surfaces, site levels, or stormwater flow.

Grading or drainage details may include:

surface drainage direction;
downspout direction;
swales or drainage paths;
existing and proposed grades where required;
retaining walls;
stormwater connection points;
areas where water must not drain toward neighbours.

Some municipalities require a separate grading plan or drainage plan for certain projects. City of Edmonton notes that a lot grading plan is required as part of detailed engineering drawings for certain development servicing agreements and as a surface drainage plan under other requirements. [6]

Step 11: Review the Draft Site Plan Before Submission

Before submitting the site plan, review it carefully. A small mistake can create unnecessary back-and-forth with the municipality.

Check that the plan includes:

correct property address;
north arrow;
scale or clear dimensions;
property lines;
lot dimensions;
existing house and structures;
proposed work clearly labelled;
proposed work dimensions;
setbacks from property lines;
driveway and access;
easements and rights-of-way where known;
grading or drainage details where required;
legend and notes;
matching information across all permit drawings.

Also check that the proposed work on the site plan matches your floor plans, elevations, structural drawings, and application description. If the site plan says “proposed deck” but the floor plan says “proposed covered porch,” the municipality may ask for clarification.

Step 12: Submit the Site Plan With the Permit Package

Once the site plan is complete, submit it with the rest of your building permit documents. Depending on the municipality and project type, the full package may include:

building permit application form;
site plan;
floor plans;
elevations;
sections;
structural drawings;
grading plan;
energy forms;
zoning information;
engineer-stamped documents where required;
other municipal forms or declarations.

Most municipalities now accept digital submissions, but file format, naming, scale, and document requirements vary. Calgary says uploaded plans and documents must meet digital file criteria to facilitate quicker application review and approval. [7]

Step 13: Respond Quickly if the Municipality Requests Corrections

Sometimes the municipality will request changes or missing information. This is common. It does not always mean the project is rejected. It may simply mean the reviewer needs clearer details.

Common site plan correction requests include:

missing setback dimensions;
unclear property lines;
proposed work not labelled;
existing structures missing;
driveway not shown;
easement not shown;
lot coverage calculation missing;
grading or drainage information missing;
north arrow or scale missing;
site plan does not match other drawings.

If you receive a correction notice, treat it like a checklist. Update each item clearly, revise the drawing date, and resubmit the corrected plan with any required explanation.

What Information Do You Need to Send to siteplans.ca?

To prepare a site plan, we usually need a few basic items. The more complete your information is, the faster the plan can be drafted.

Helpful information includes:

property address;
project type;
dimensions of the proposed work;
approximate project location;
photos of the property;
sketches or markups;
survey, Real Property Report, or title plan if available;
municipal checklist or correction comments;
builder, designer, or contractor notes;
known easements or utility information;
grading or drainage details if required.

You do not need to have everything perfect before starting. If something is missing, we can usually tell you what information would help complete the plan.

Do You Need a Survey First?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. For many simple permit projects, a site plan can be prepared using available property information. However, a survey or Real Property Report may be needed if exact boundaries or existing structure locations must be confirmed.

A survey may be needed if:

the proposed work is very close to a property line;
the boundary location is uncertain;
the municipality specifically asks for a current survey;
the property has easements or encroachments;
there is a fence or boundary dispute;
the lot is irregular or complicated;
legal property accuracy is required.

A site plan can show your proposed project for permit review, but it does not replace a legal survey when the municipality, lender, lawyer, surveyor, or title-related process requires one.

Common Projects That Need a Site Plan

Site plans are commonly needed for residential building permit applications across Canada.

Common projects include:

home additions;
new houses;
detached garages;
sheds and accessory buildings;
decks and patios;
front porches;
pools and hot tubs;
carports;
driveway widening;
basement entrances;
secondary suites;
garden suites;
laneway houses;
retaining walls;
major exterior renovations.

The exact site plan requirements depend on the project. A pool site plan may need fence and barrier details. A garage site plan may need lane access. A deck site plan may need height, stairs, and setbacks. An addition site plan may need lot coverage and grading information.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Most site plan delays come from missing or unclear information. The plan does not need to be complicated, but it does need to answer the reviewer’s basic questions.

Common mistakes include:

submitting a rough sketch with no dimensions;
not showing the full property boundary;
forgetting existing structures;
not clearly labelling proposed work;
missing setback dimensions;
not showing driveway or access;
forgetting easements or rights-of-way;
not including north arrow or scale;
not showing grading or drainage when required;
using outdated property information;
submitting a site plan that does not match the other permit drawings.

Site Plan Checklist Before You Submit

Before submitting your permit package, use this checklist to confirm the site plan is ready.

Property address is correct.
North arrow is shown.
Scale or clear dimensions are included.
Property lines are shown.
Lot dimensions are included where available.
Existing house is labelled.
Existing structures are shown.
Proposed work is clearly labelled.
Proposed work dimensions are shown.
Setbacks to property lines are shown.
Driveway and access are shown.
Easements and rights-of-way are shown where known.
Utilities or services are shown where relevant.
Grading or drainage direction is shown where required.
Legend and notes are included.
The plan matches other permit drawings.

How siteplans.ca Helps

siteplans.ca helps homeowners, builders, designers, and property professionals get clear site plans for Canadian permit applications.

Our site plans can help show:

property boundaries and lot dimensions;
existing house and structures;
proposed work and dimensions;
setbacks from property lines;
driveway and access layout;
easements and rights-of-way where known;
landscaping and hard surfaces where relevant;
basic grading and drainage context where required;
north arrow, scale, legend, labels, and notes.

Our process is straightforward: send your property information, we review the requirements, draft the site plan, you review it, and the final plan is delivered in a digital format for your permit submission.

Helpful siteplans.ca Guides

If you are preparing a building permit application, these related guides may also help:

Bottom Line

To get a site plan for a permit in Canada, start by checking your municipal requirements, gathering property information, finding any survey or Real Property Report, taking photos, marking up the proposed work location, confirming dimensions, and preparing a clear drawing that shows property lines, existing structures, proposed work, setbacks, driveway access, easements, and any grading or drainage details required.

A clear site plan helps municipal reviewers understand the project faster. It can reduce confusion, avoid missing-information requests, and support a smoother permit review.

If you need a professional site plan for a Canadian building permit, siteplans.ca can help prepare a clean, permit-ready drawing for your project.