What to Include in a Residential Site Plan Package

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Jul 18

Everything You Need for a Permit-Ready Submittal in Florida

If you're planning to build a new home or renovate an existing property in Florida, you’ll need a residential site plan package to get county approval.

But what exactly should be included?

At RSP Engineers, we help property owners and builders throughout Florida submit permit-ready plans. Here’s what a complete residential site plan package typically includes—and why each piece matters.

What Is a Residential Site Plan Package?

A residential site plan package is a set of drawings and documents submitted to your local building department for permitting. It shows how the proposed home (or addition) fits on the lot, complies with zoning regulations, and manages stormwater and utilities.

Counties like Miami-Dade, Broward, and Hillsborough require this for:

New home construction
Major additions or remodels
Accessory structures like garages or pools
Driveway and grading changes
FEMA or flood zone documentation

What’s Included in a Site Plan Package?

While each municipality has its own checklist, a complete site plan package typically includes the following:

1. Boundary & Topographic Survey

Prepared by a licensed land surveyor, this document shows:

Property lines and setbacks
Existing elevations
Trees, easements, and utilities
Location of nearby structures or improvements

This forms the base for all civil and architectural design.

2. Proposed Site Plan

This is the central drawing in the package. It includes:

Footprint of the new or existing structure
Setbacks to all property lines
Driveways, walkways, and patios
Easements and right-of-way
Fences, pools, or decks if applicable

It’s the visual plan that reviewers use to verify zoning compliance.

3. Grading and Drainage Plan

This shows how the site will be graded to direct stormwater away from buildings and into approved drainage paths. It should include:

Proposed elevations
Flow arrows and drainage direction
Swales, berms, or grading notes
Connection to existing systems (if applicable)

Florida counties place high importance on stormwater design, especially in low-lying or flood-prone areas.

4. Utility Layout

A utility plan shows:

Water and sewer connections
Septic system location (if not on sewer)
Electric, gas, and other service lines
Meters and tie-in points

This helps ensure that utility work won’t interfere with other infrastructure or code requirements.

5. Zoning Data Table

Often placed directly on the site plan, this chart includes:

Lot size
Building square footage
Setbacks (required vs. proposed)
Lot coverage and impervious area
Building height (if needed)

This summary helps county reviewers quickly verify zoning compliance.

6. Engineer’s Seal and Certification

All civil plans must be signed and sealed by a licensed Florida professional engineer (PE). This ensures the design meets:

Florida Building Code
Local drainage criteria
ADA and accessibility guidelines
FEMA and flood zone standards (if applicable)

Unsealed plans will be rejected.

Optional Add-Ons (May Be Required)

Depending on your location and project scope, you may also need:

Tree protection or landscaping plans
Stormwater calculations
Septic or well system permits
FEMA elevation certificates
Environmental assessments (for coastal or wetland sites)

Why It Matters

Submitting an incomplete or incorrect site plan package can lead to:

Permit rejections
Redesign delays
Extra costs for resubmittals
Conflicts with building or zoning inspectors later on

A well-prepared package saves time, protects your budget, and helps you build with confidence.

How RSP Engineers Helps

We work with homeowners, builders, and architects throughout Florida to create permit-ready residential site plans that meet all local requirements. Our services include: