Site plan in California
California has no statewide site-plan standard and no state-mandated base map. Your city or county sets the requirements — and for most residential projects you may draw the plot plan yourself.
Can you draw it yourself in California? #
Yes, for most residential work. California has no state licensing requirement forcing a homeowner to hire a professional for a simple residential plot plan. Plans for commercial projects must carry the wet stamp and signature of a California-licensed architect or engineer. Individual jurisdictions can impose stricter rules, so confirm with your building department first.
Create your plot plan right here on the website in a few steps #
Drawblueprint is a simple tool for producing a scaled plot plan.
- Upload map data — Upload a PDF or PNG of your parcel to use as a base.
- Fill in the details — Your drawing details appear in a correct title block.
- Draw what you need — Buildings, boundaries, setbacks and dimensions.
- Export a finished drawing — Download a PDF ready to submit.
What California requires #
There is no single statewide site-plan standard. Building permits are issued by cities and counties under their own municipal codes and zoning ordinances. A site plan — usually called a plot plan in California — is required for virtually every building permit application, because it is how the reviewer verifies zoning setbacks, lot coverage and easements.
A plot plan is expected to be drawn to scale (commonly 1" = 10' or 1" = 20') and to show the property lines, existing and proposed structures, setback dimensions to each property line, easements, and a north arrow.
Where to get the base map #
California mandates no official base map. Parcel geometry and the APN (Assessor's Parcel Number) come from your county assessor. Applicants supply their own scaled drawing on top of that parcel information.
For a new build or anything close to a boundary, some jurisdictions require a survey by a licensed land surveyor. Ask before you draw.
How to submit #
Submit to the local building department — increasingly through a municipal online portal. There is no statewide portal. Two official references worth reading:
Because requirements are purely local, confirm them jurisdiction by jurisdiction before starting.
Drawblueprint.com — draw simple building documents yourself #
With Drawblueprint you can draw a scaled plot plan yourself. It is easier to use than CAD and more capable than general drawing programs, because it is built for building documents: correct scale, a proper title block and dimensioned distances.
Go to https://app.drawblueprint.com/sign-up to get started. Drawblueprint is free to try.
