California
Site Plans in California
We don’t prepare site plans in California: state law treats locating property lines as land surveying. Here’s why, what to do instead, and what we can still help with.
- Surveyor required for site plans
- Other drawings: ask us
Quick answer
Why No Site Plans in California?
In California, a plan that shows where property lines are must be prepared by a licensed land surveyor (or a civil engineer licensed before 1982), under Business and Professions Code §8726. That’s why we don’t prepare site plans there. A local surveyor can prepare one, and we can still help with drawings that don’t locate property lines.
- Permits issued by
- City building departments; the county in unincorporated areas
- Building code
- California Building Standards Code (Title 24), statewide
- Counties
- 58 in California
- Largest
- Los Angeles County (9.7M), San Diego County (3.3M), Orange County (3.1M), Riverside County (2.5M), San Bernardino County (2.2M)
- Site visit
- A surveyor visits for the site plan
What to do instead
Getting a Site Plan in California
Three steps that get you a site plan your county will accept, and where we can still help.
- 01
Find a licensed land surveyor
Look up licences on the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists site, and ask local surveyors for quotes.
- 02
Ask for the right drawing
Tell them it’s for a building permit and send your county’s checklist. Many California counties ask for a site plan or plot plan with setbacks; some want a boundary or topographic survey.
- 03
Ask us about the other drawings
Drawings that don’t locate property lines, such as floor plans, elevations and 3D renderings, may still be possible. Send your project and we’ll tell you what we can prepare.
Local conditions
What to Know About Permits in California
What changes the drawings in California. Exact numbers like setbacks and frost depth are set locally; we look them up for your address.
- Who reviews your permitIn California, cities issue building permits inside their limits and the county issues them in unincorporated areas. Your address decides which office reviews your plans.
- Flood zonesCheck your parcel on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center. In a mapped flood zone, permit offices in California usually want the zone shown on the site plan, and some work needs an elevation certificate. FEMA flood map
- Earthquake designParts of California fall in higher seismic design categories, so foundations, retaining walls and additions can draw extra structural review.
- Wildfire-risk areasHomes near wildland in California may be in wildfire-risk zones, where defensible space, vents and noncombustible materials can be checked.
Ask us about
Drawings That Don’t Locate Lines
These may still be possible for California projects. Send yours and we’ll confirm before you pay.
Nearby states
California FAQ
Permits in California
Short answers to what people ask before ordering. Ask anything else in your quote request.
Get Price QuoteWhy don’t you prepare site plans in California?
California’s Business and Professions Code §8726 treats locating property lines as land surveying, which only licensed land surveyors (and civil engineers licensed before 1982) may do. A site plan that shows property lines falls under that rule.
Who can prepare a site plan in California?
A licensed land surveyor. You can check a surveyor’s licence on the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists website.
Can you help with other drawings in California?
Possibly, for drawings that don’t locate property lines, such as floor plans, elevations and 3D renderings. Send your project and we’ll confirm before you pay.
Do you serve every other state?
Yes. We prepare site plans in the other 49 states and Washington, DC.