Site Plan Corrections in Canada: How to Fix Missing Permit Information

Site Plan Corrections in Canada showing incomplete site plan versus corrected site plan with property lines, setbacks, existing structures, proposed work, driveway, easements, grading, north arrow, scale, legend, notes, and permit correction checklist

If your Canadian building permit application has been returned for corrections, the problem may not be the project itself. Often, the issue is that the site plan is missing information the municipality needs before it can continue reviewing the permit.

A site plan correction means updating the drawing so it clearly shows the missing or unclear permit information. This may include property lines, lot dimensions, setbacks, existing structures, proposed work, driveway access, easements, grading, drainage, utilities, north arrow, scale, notes, or a clearer legend.

This guide explains how to fix missing site plan information in Canada, what reviewers commonly ask for, and how to resubmit a corrected plan with more confidence.

siteplans.ca prepares professional site plans and corrected site plans for homeowners, builders, designers, and property professionals across Canada. If your municipality has asked for a revised site plan, we can help turn the correction comments into a clearer, permit-ready drawing.

What Are Site Plan Corrections?

Site plan corrections are changes made to a submitted site plan after a municipality, plans examiner, permit reviewer, or building department identifies missing, unclear, or inconsistent information.

Common site plan corrections include:

  • adding missing property lines;
  • adding lot dimensions;
  • showing front, side, and rear setbacks;
  • labelling existing structures;
  • labelling proposed work;
  • adding proposed work dimensions;
  • showing driveway, parking, or access;
  • identifying easements or rights-of-way;
  • adding grading or drainage information;
  • showing utilities or services where relevant;
  • adding north arrow, scale, legend, and notes;
  • making the site plan match the floor plans, elevations, or permit application.

City of Calgary says only complete applications will be accepted and that submitted applications and materials must be clear, legible, and precise. [1] City of Edmonton says applications missing required plans, documents, or details will not be accepted. [2] That is why missing site plan information can stop a permit package before review moves forward.

What the Image Shows

The image above compares an incomplete site plan with a corrected site plan. The incomplete version has vague property lines, missing dimensions, unclear setbacks, incomplete proposed work information, no easements, no grading notes, and no north arrow or scale.

The corrected version adds the important permit details:

  • property lines and lot dimensions;
  • existing house and structures;
  • proposed addition with dimensions;
  • front, rear, and side yard setbacks;
  • driveway and access;
  • easements where known;
  • grading and drainage notes;
  • north arrow and scale;
  • legend and notes.

This is exactly what a correction process should do. It should turn a confusing drawing into a clear plan that answers the reviewer’s questions.

Why Municipalities Ask for Site Plan Corrections

Municipalities ask for site plan corrections when the submitted drawing does not provide enough information to assess the permit. The reviewer may need to check zoning, setbacks, lot coverage, access, easements, grading, drainage, existing structures, and proposed work location.

If the site plan is unclear, the reviewer may not be able to confirm whether the project meets the local requirements.

Common review questions include:

  • Where are the property lines?
  • How large is the lot?
  • What structures already exist?
  • What exactly is being proposed?
  • How far is the proposed work from the property lines?
  • Does the project affect a driveway, lane, or access route?
  • Is the proposed work near an easement?
  • Will drainage or grading be affected?
  • Does the site plan match the rest of the permit drawings?

City of Toronto’s accessory structure guidance says the site plan should show the location of existing and proposed buildings on the lot, setbacks to property lines, distance between the proposed structure and other buildings, and driveway or parking information where required. [3]

Step 1: Read the Correction Comments Carefully

The first step is to read the municipality’s comments line by line. Do not guess. Do not only fix the easiest item. Treat the correction notice like a checklist.

Look for comments about:

  • missing plans;
  • missing dimensions;
  • unclear property lines;
  • missing setbacks;
  • existing structures not shown;
  • proposed work not labelled;
  • driveway or parking not shown;
  • easements or rights-of-way missing;
  • grading or drainage information missing;
  • lot coverage calculation missing;
  • plans not matching each other;
  • need for a survey, Real Property Report, or additional professional document.

Make a simple list of every requested correction. This helps avoid a second round of comments because one item was missed.

Step 2: Add Missing Property Lines and Lot Dimensions

Property lines are one of the most important parts of a site plan. Without property lines, the reviewer cannot properly check setbacks, lot coverage, building placement, easements, or access.

A corrected site plan should show:

  • front property line;
  • rear property line;
  • side property lines;
  • lot width;
  • lot depth;
  • street frontage;
  • lane or alley frontage where applicable;
  • corner lot conditions where applicable;
  • property line dimensions where available.

If the property boundary is uncertain, or if the proposed work is close to a property line, a current survey or Real Property Report may be needed. A permit site plan can be prepared from available information, but it does not replace a legal survey when exact boundary confirmation is required.

Step 3: Show All Required Setbacks

Setbacks are one of the most common missing permit items. A setback is the distance from a structure to a property line. Reviewers need these distances to check zoning compliance.

A corrected site plan should show:

  • front yard setback;
  • rear yard setback;
  • interior side yard setbacks;
  • exterior side yard setback for corner lots;
  • distance from proposed work to the existing house;
  • distance from proposed work to other structures;
  • distance to easements or rights-of-way where relevant.

City of Toronto explains that setbacks are minimum distances from the property or lot line to the building wall, including rear yard, side yard, and front yard setback distances. [4]

If your correction notice says “show setbacks,” do not just add one number. Show all relevant setback dimensions clearly on the plan.

Step 4: Label Existing Structures

A site plan should show what is already on the property. If existing structures are missing, the reviewer cannot understand the full site layout.

Existing structures may include:

  • main house;
  • attached garage;
  • detached garage;
  • shed;
  • deck;
  • porch;
  • carport;
  • pool or hot tub;
  • driveway;
  • walkways;
  • patios and hard surfaces;
  • retaining walls;
  • fences and gates.

City of Ottawa says a site plan must identify the existing house, other existing structures such as garages, sheds, and decks, and proposed additions or new structures. [5]

Use clear labels like “Existing House,” “Existing Deck,” “Existing Shed,” or “Existing Driveway.” A reviewer should not have to guess what each shape means.

Step 5: Make the Proposed Work Clear

The proposed work should stand out on the corrected site plan. It should be labelled, dimensioned, and located clearly in relation to the property lines and existing structures.

A corrected plan should show the proposed work with:

  • clear label;
  • visible outline or hatch;
  • length and width dimensions;
  • location on the lot;
  • setbacks to property lines;
  • distance to existing structures where needed;
  • notes explaining the project if needed.

City of Calgary’s drawing standards say plans should show relevant existing structures and spaces plus all new construction, and should include labels and dimensions for spaces, buildings, and openings. [6]

If the correction comment says the proposed work is unclear, make the new work visually different from the existing structures. A different hatch, outline, or label can help.

Step 6: Add Driveway, Parking, and Access Details

Driveway and access details can be important for garages, carports, additions, basement entrances, driveway widening, construction access, and pool equipment access.

A corrected site plan may need to show:

  • existing driveway;
  • driveway width;
  • proposed driveway changes;
  • garage or carport access;
  • parking spaces where required;
  • walkways and entrances;
  • rear lane or alley access;
  • vehicle access from the street.

If the correction notice mentions parking, access, driveway, garage entry, lane access, or hard surfaces, update the site plan so the reviewer can see the access layout clearly.

Step 7: Identify Easements and Rights-of-Way

Easements and rights-of-way can affect where you are allowed to build. A municipality may ask for these to be shown if the proposed work is near a utility corridor, drainage easement, access area, sewer line, shared driveway, or legal right-of-way.

Show known:

  • utility easements;
  • drainage easements;
  • sewer easements;
  • stormwater easements;
  • access easements;
  • laneway rights-of-way;
  • restrictive covenants where known;
  • areas that must remain clear.

Toronto’s residential permit guidance includes rights-of-way and easements among the items that may need to be shown on a survey or site plan. [7]

If you do not know whether your property has an easement, check your survey, Real Property Report, title documents, municipal records, or correction notice.

Step 8: Add Grading and Drainage Information Where Required

Some site plan corrections ask for grading or drainage information. This is common when the project changes roof area, hard surface area, driveway layout, site levels, or stormwater flow.

A corrected plan may need to show:

  • surface drainage direction;
  • downspout direction;
  • swales or drainage paths;
  • existing and proposed grade direction where required;
  • retaining walls;
  • pool drainage or equipment area where relevant;
  • stormwater connection points where known;
  • areas where water must not drain toward neighbouring properties.

City of Edmonton explains that lot grading plans are required for some development situations and that new buildings require lot grading plan approval and inspections. [8]

If the municipality specifically asks for a grading plan, a basic note may not be enough. A separate grading plan, drainage plan, or professional design may be required.

Step 9: Add Utilities and Service Locations Where Relevant

Some corrections ask for utilities or services because a proposed structure may be near water, sewer, stormwater, hydro, gas, or other service lines.

A corrected site plan may show known:

  • water service;
  • sanitary sewer;
  • storm sewer;
  • hydro or electrical service;
  • gas service;
  • utility meters;
  • pool equipment service locations;
  • service easements.

If exact service locations are unknown, they should be verified before construction. Utility locates, survey information, municipal records, engineering, or licensed contractor input may be required for exact locations.

Step 10: Add North Arrow, Scale, Legend, and Notes

Sometimes a site plan is returned because the basic drawing information is missing. These small details help reviewers understand the plan quickly.

A corrected site plan should usually include:

  • north arrow;
  • drawing scale or scale bar;
  • clear dimensions;
  • legend explaining line types and symbols;
  • property address;
  • date of preparation;
  • project label;
  • revision date;
  • notes about dimensions, assumptions, and permit use.

Useful notes may explain that all dimensions are in metres, setbacks are measured to the closest point of construction, measurements should be verified on site, and the plan is prepared for permit submission purposes.

Step 11: Check Lot Coverage or Site Coverage

Some corrections ask for lot coverage or site coverage. This is common for additions, garages, sheds, carports, covered decks, porches, and other roofed structures.

A corrected plan may include:

  • lot area;
  • existing building coverage;
  • proposed new coverage;
  • total proposed coverage;
  • landscaped area;
  • hard surface area;
  • zoning summary where required.

If the reviewer asks for lot coverage, include the calculation clearly. Do not hide it in a note that is difficult to find.

Step 12: Make Sure All Drawings Match

One of the sneakiest reasons for permit corrections is inconsistency. The site plan may show one thing while the floor plan, elevation, or permit form shows something else.

Before resubmitting, check that all documents match:

  • project name;
  • scope of work;
  • addition size;
  • deck size;
  • garage or shed dimensions;
  • driveway layout;
  • setback dimensions;
  • lot coverage figures;
  • proposed work location;
  • revision date.

If the site plan says “proposed addition 4.0 m x 6.0 m,” the other drawings should not show a different size. Consistency reduces confusion and helps reviewers move faster.

How to Resubmit a Corrected Site Plan

After the site plan has been corrected, prepare a clean resubmission. The goal is to make it easy for the reviewer to see what changed.

A good resubmission may include:

  • corrected site plan;
  • updated revision date;
  • short response to each correction comment;
  • updated floor plans or elevations if they changed;
  • survey, Real Property Report, or title plan if requested;
  • grading or drainage plan if required;
  • other documents requested by the municipality.

If the municipality provided a checklist or correction letter, respond item by item. This helps show that each missing-information request was addressed.

Common Projects That Need Site Plan Corrections

Site plan corrections can happen on almost any residential permit application. They are especially common when the proposed work affects setbacks, lot coverage, access, or drainage.

Common projects include:

  • deck permits;
  • shed permits;
  • detached garage permits;
  • pool permits;
  • home addition permits;
  • porch permits;
  • carport permits;
  • driveway widening permits;
  • basement entrance permits;
  • secondary suite permits;
  • garden suite or laneway house permits;
  • retaining wall permits.

Common Correction Examples

Deck Permit Correction

A deck permit may be returned because the site plan does not show the deck size, stair location, distance to property lines, or distance to the house.

Fix it by adding:

  • deck dimensions;
  • deck label;
  • stairs and landing location;
  • front, side, or rear setbacks where relevant;
  • distance to the house;
  • nearby structures or fences where relevant.

Shed Permit Correction

A shed permit may be returned because the shed is shown as a small box with no dimensions or setbacks.

Fix it by adding:

  • shed footprint;
  • shed length and width;
  • side and rear setbacks;
  • distance to the house;
  • distance to nearby garage, deck, pool, or fence;
  • easement information if applicable.

Garage Permit Correction

A garage permit may be delayed if the plan does not show driveway or lane access, garage dimensions, or distance to the house and lot lines.

Fix it by adding:

  • garage footprint;
  • garage door location;
  • garage dimensions;
  • driveway or lane access;
  • side and rear setbacks;
  • distance to the house;
  • parking layout where required.

Pool Permit Correction

A pool permit may be returned because the site plan does not show pool location, setbacks, fencing, gates, equipment, access, or drainage context.

Fix it by adding:

  • pool footprint;
  • pool dimensions;
  • setbacks to property lines;
  • pool equipment location;
  • fence and gate layout where required;
  • pool deck or patio area;
  • drainage notes where relevant.

Addition Permit Correction

A home addition permit may be returned because the addition is unclear, lot coverage is missing, setbacks are incomplete, or grading information is not shown.

Fix it by adding:

  • existing house footprint;
  • proposed addition footprint;
  • addition dimensions;
  • front, side, and rear setbacks;
  • distance to existing structures;
  • lot coverage calculation where required;
  • grading and drainage direction where required;
  • easements and services where known.

Site Plan Correction Checklist

Before resubmitting, use this checklist to confirm the corrected site plan answers the missing-information comments.

  • Property address is correct.
  • North arrow is shown.
  • Scale or clear dimensions are included.
  • Property lines are shown.
  • Lot dimensions are shown where available.
  • Existing house is labelled.
  • All existing structures are shown.
  • Proposed work is clearly labelled.
  • Proposed work dimensions are shown.
  • Setbacks to property lines are shown.
  • Distance to existing structures is shown where needed.
  • Driveway, parking, and access are shown.
  • Easements and rights-of-way are shown where known.
  • Utilities and services are shown where relevant.
  • Landscaping, hard surfaces, and open space are shown where relevant.
  • Grading and drainage information is shown where required.
  • Lot coverage or site coverage is shown where required.
  • Legend and notes are included.
  • Revision date is updated.
  • The site plan matches the rest of the permit drawings.

When a Site Plan Correction May Not Be Enough

Some correction comments require more than a revised site plan. The municipality may ask for a professional document, a survey, or a separate technical plan.

You may need more than a corrected site plan if:

  • the boundary location is uncertain;
  • the proposed work is close to a property line;
  • a current survey or Real Property Report is required;
  • engineering is required;
  • a grading plan is required;
  • a stormwater or drainage plan is required;
  • tree protection information is required;
  • the project affects an easement or right-of-way;
  • the project is a new house, major addition, garden suite, or laneway house;
  • the municipality specifically asks for additional professional review.

A site plan correction can fix missing layout information, but it does not replace legal surveys, structural engineering, grading plans, drainage designs, or other specialist documents when those are required.

How siteplans.ca Helps

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

Our corrected site plans can help show:

  • property boundaries and lot dimensions;
  • existing house and structures;
  • proposed decks, sheds, garages, pools, additions, and other work;
  • setbacks and dimensions;
  • driveway, parking, and access layout;
  • easements and rights-of-way where known;
  • landscaping and open space where relevant;
  • basic grading and drainage context where required;
  • north arrow, scale, legend, labels, notes, and revision dates.

To prepare a correction, we usually need the municipal correction comments, the original submitted site plan, the property address, project details, photos, sketches, survey or Real Property Report if available, and any related permit drawings that need to match the revised site plan.

Helpful siteplans.ca Guides

If you are fixing a site plan or preparing a permit application, these related guides may also help:

Bottom Line

Site plan corrections in Canada are common when a permit drawing is missing information. The most frequent issues include missing property lines, missing setbacks, unclear proposed work, existing structures not shown, driveway and access details missing, easements not identified, grading or drainage not addressed, and no north arrow, scale, legend, or notes.

The fastest way to fix the problem is to treat the municipal comments like a checklist. Add each missing item clearly, update the drawing, check that all plans match, and resubmit a complete package.

If your municipality has requested site plan corrections, siteplans.ca can help prepare a clear, professional revised site plan that addresses the missing information and supports a smoother permit review.

Sources

  1. City of Calgary — Development and Building Application Types.
  2. City of Edmonton — Application Requirements for House Permits.
  3. City of Toronto — Accessory Structures Permit Guide.
  4. City of Toronto — Setbacks: What is a setback?
  5. City of Ottawa — Preparing Your Plans.
  6. City of Calgary — Project Drawing Standards.
  7. City of Toronto — Garages and Carports Permit Guide.
  8. City of Edmonton — Development Process and Lot Grading.