Site plan in Texas
Texas has no uniform statewide residential building code and no mandated base map. Each city and county sets its own submittal requirements — and homeowners can generally draw residential plot plans themselves.
Can you draw it yourself in Texas? #
Yes, for most residential work. Homeowners can generally prepare their own residential plot plan. Structural and foundation documents require the seal of a Texas-registered professional engineer — but that applies to the structural drawings, not to the plot plan itself.
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 plat or parcel map.
- Fill in the details — Your drawing details appear in a correct title block.
- Draw what you need — Buildings, lot lines, building lines and dimensions.
- Export a finished drawing — Download a PDF ready to submit.
What Texas requires #
Texas has no statewide building code for residential work and no mandated base map. Cities and counties adopt their own codes — typically the IBC and IRC — and each jurisdiction defines its own site-plan submittal requirements.
Houston is the largest US city without traditional zoning. Instead it regulates development through Chapter 42 of the City Code, reviewed by the Houston Permitting Center. Expect lot size, building line, parking and access requirements rather than classic zoning setbacks.
Requirements also differ by where the property sits:
- Inside city limits — full city code and permitting applies.
- In a city's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) — subdivision and platting rules apply, building codes often do not.
- Unincorporated county — county rules only, which are usually much lighter.
Where to get the base map #
There is no official base map. Parcel and plat data are held locally — the county appraisal district and the city's platting records. Applicants supply their own scaled drawing based on that.
How to submit #
Submit to the city permitting center or county office for your jurisdiction. There is no statewide portal. Confirm the drawing list with your specific city 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.
