Top 5 Reasons Site Plans Get Rejected by County Reviewers
Avoid Delays with a Complete, Compliant Plan
Submitting a site plan to a Florida county or municipality can be one of the most stressful parts of a construction or development project. You’ve invested time, resources, and coordination—but if the plans aren’t right, the entire review process stalls.
At RSP Engineers, we work with counties across the state, and we’ve seen firsthand the most common reasons site plans are rejected during review.
Here’s how to avoid those costly red flags.
1. Incomplete or Missing Plan Components
One of the most frequent issues is submitting a site plan that simply doesn’t include everything the agency requires.
Common omissions include:
No grading or drainage plan
Missing utility layout
Inadequate ADA route design
No stormwater runoff calculations
Plans not signed/sealed by a licensed engineer
Solution: Before submitting, cross-check the local jurisdiction’s checklist—or work with a civil engineering firm that already knows the county’s requirements.
2. Outdated or Inaccurate Survey Data
County reviewers rely heavily on topographic and boundary data. If your site plan references outdated or incorrect survey info, it’s likely to be denied.
This includes:
Property lines that don’t match official records
Old elevation data that doesn’t reflect current conditions
Survey not prepared or signed by a licensed surveyor
Solution: Always pair your site plan with a current, sealed boundary and topo survey that meets local accuracy standards.
3. Drainage Design Doesn’t Meet Local Code
Drainage is a top concern in Florida due to flat topography and frequent storms. Site plans that don’t show how stormwater will be managed or violate runoff rules are often rejected.
Common issues include:
Drainage flowing onto neighboring properties
No defined retention/detention area
Insufficient runoff capacity for a 25-year or 100-year storm
Plans don’t tie into existing drainage infrastructure
Solution: Include a drainage plan with clear flow direction, grading, stormwater system sizing, and runoff calculations sealed by a civil engineer.
4. Site Accessibility and ADA Mistakes
Many plans get rejected for not complying with ADA and Florida Accessibility Code standards. This is often due to incorrect:
Slope percentages
Landing areas at doorways
Curb ramps or transitions
Lack of continuous accessible routes
Solution: Have a civil engineer design and check all pedestrian routes, parking access, and ADA features based on the current accessibility code.
5. Incorrect File Format or Submission Errors
In the era of online permitting, even a perfect plan set can be rejected if it's submitted the wrong way.
Counties may reject plans that:
Are uploaded in the wrong format (e.g., CAD instead of PDF)
Are missing metadata or file names required by the system
Don’t include digital seals or correct signatures
Were submitted through the wrong portal or department
Solution: Let your engineer manage the digital submittal or follow your city’s exact naming, format, and upload instructions.
How RSP Engineers Helps Get Your Site Plan Approved
At RSP Engineers, we’ve worked with permitting departments throughout Florida, and we know what each county expects. Our site plans are:
Complete and checklist-compliant
Designed with ADA, stormwater, and utility integration in mind
Digitally sealed, formatted, and submitted correctly
Created to minimize comments, delays, and resubmittals
We don’t just design for the field—we design for approval.
Avoid the Headaches. Submit With Confidence.
Getting your site plan approved doesn’t have to be painful. The key is knowing what counties look for—and working with a civil engineer who builds those requirements into your plans from day one.
