Question 1

Do I need a site plan for a permit in Washington, DC?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the DC Department of Buildings (DOB) requires a site plan (called a "building plat") for all exterior permit work on one- and two-family dwellings in Washington, DC. This includes permits for new construction, room additions, decks, fences, sheds, garages, retaining walls, pools, and patios — essentially any project that affects the exterior of your property. Interior-only work, such as bathroom remodeling, does not require a plat. Our site plans are not a survey, nor are they intended to replace one. For official DOB permit submission, the certified plat must come from the DC Office of the Surveyor; MySitePlan's professionally drafted drawings are ideal for project planning, pre-application preparation, and HOA architectural review submissions. Learn more about DC permit requirements at dob.dc.gov .

Question 2

Is a MySitePlan.com site plan the same as DC's certified building plat?

Accepted Answer

No — MySitePlan provides a professionally drafted site plan drawing, not a certified building plat. The DC Department of Buildings requires that the official plat submitted with a permit application be certified by the DC Office of the Surveyor, which costs $60.50 (standard) or $88.00 (expedited). Our site plans are not a survey, nor are they intended to replace one. That said, MySitePlan's drawings are widely used by DC homeowners and contractors for project planning, HOA architectural review submissions, historic preservation review submissions to the HPRB or Old Georgetown Board, and pre-application work before engaging the Office of the Surveyor.

Question 3

How quickly can I get a site plan in Washington, DC?

Accepted Answer

Every order is delivered in 24 hours, guaranteed — no site visit required and no scheduling delays. Simply place your order online, provide your DC property address and project details, and our Drafterra Certified drafters will produce your plan remotely. This 24-hour turnaround applies to every order across all DC neighborhoods, from Georgetown and Capitol Hill to Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan, and Foggy Bottom. There is no need for a rush option because fast, professional delivery is our standard.

Question 4

How much does a site plan cost in Washington, DC?

Accepted Answer

MySitePlan's site plans start at $99 for a Basic Plot Plan, with flat-rate pricing and no hidden fees. The Basic Plot Plan ($99) includes GIS parcel lines, primary structure roofline, lot dimensions, north arrow, and scale. The Medium Site Plan ($119, our most popular option for DC building, fencing, deck, and HOA permits) adds measurements between features, trees, driveways, accessory structures, and swimming pools. The Detailed Site Plan ($159) adds paths, shrubs, landscaping, and utilities — ideal for more complex residential projects. For commercial properties, we offer the Commercial Detailed plan ($179) and Commercial "The Works" ($279), which includes setback information, topography, impervious surface calculations, a vicinity map, and a DWG file. Note that MySitePlan's fee is separate from DC's Office of the Surveyor certified plat fee of $60.50 or $88.00, which is required for official DOB permit submission.

Question 5

What types of site plans are available for DC properties?

Accepted Answer

MySitePlan offers five plan tiers to match your specific DC project needs. The Basic Plot Plan ($99) shows GIS parcel lines, the primary structure roofline, lot dimensions, north arrow, and scale — a solid starting point for project planning. The Medium Site Plan ($119) is our most popular choice for DC building permits, deck permits, fence permits, and HOA submissions, adding measurements between features, trees, driveways, and accessory structures. The Detailed Site Plan ($159) layers in paths, shrubs, landscaping, septic, and utilities for the highest level of residential detail. The Commercial Detailed plan ($179) covers parking, ingress/egress, and dumpster areas, while Commercial "The Works" ($279) adds setback information, topography, impervious surface calculations, a DWG file, and a vicinity map — well suited for DC commercial permit applications submitted through the DOB's Citizen Access Portal.

Question 6

Are MySitePlan.com drawings accepted by DC building departments and HOAs?

Accepted Answer

Yes — MySitePlan has delivered more than 80,000 site plans nationwide, and our professionally drafted drawings are routinely accepted by DC HOAs, historic preservation boards, and agencies reviewing pre-application materials. DC homeowners and contractors across Georgetown, Capitol Hill, Dupont Circle, Kalorama, Logan Circle, and Adams Morgan use our plans for HOA architectural modification approvals, Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) submissions, and project planning ahead of their official DOB permit application. For the DOB's official exterior permit submission, a certified plat from the DC Office of the Surveyor is required; our site plans are not a survey, nor are they intended to replace one. If any reviewing body requests revisions to your plan, our team will make those changes at no additional charge.

Question 7

What information do I need to provide to order a DC site plan?

Accepted Answer

Ordering is straightforward — provide your DC property address, any existing survey or plat documents you have on hand, photos of the property, and details about your proposed project. Our Drafterra Certified drafters use that information alongside GIS lot-line data and satellite imagery to draft your plan remotely, with no site visit needed. The more detail you share about your project — whether it's a deck addition in Capitol Hill, a fence in Columbia Heights, or an accessory structure in Foggy Bottom — the more precisely your plan will reflect the proposed improvements. Once your order is placed online, your plan will be ready within 24 hours.

Question 8

Why should I trust MySitePlan with my Washington, DC project?

Accepted Answer

MySitePlan is a veteran-owned company with more than 10 years in business, 80,000+ site plans delivered across the country, and 8,000+ verified five-star reviews. Every plan is drafted by a Drafterra Certified drafter — professionals held to high standards of technical proficiency — and delivered within 24 hours. DC's permitting environment is complex, often involving the DOB, DDOT, DOEE, and the Historic Preservation Review Board, and having a clear, professionally drafted site plan helps you walk into any submission confidently. If revisions are needed based on feedback from a reviewing agency or HOA, we handle them at no additional cost.

Question 9

Do I need a site plan for an HOA approval in Washington, DC?

Accepted Answer

Yes — DC HOAs routinely require a site plan as part of the architectural modification approval process before you can proceed with exterior changes to your property. Common HOA-triggered projects include fences, decks, patios, additions, sheds, and accessory structures. HOAs use site plans to verify that proposed improvements comply with community design standards, setback requirements, and lot coverage limits — compliance that is especially critical in DC's dense urban environment where lots are small and zoning rules are actively enforced. The Medium Site Plan ($119) is the right choice for most DC HOA submissions, as it shows the locations of all existing and proposed features relative to GIS parcel lines.

Question 10

Do I need a site plan for a deck or fence permit in Washington, DC?

Accepted Answer

Yes — both deck and fence permits in DC require a site plan showing the proposed structure's location relative to GIS parcel lines. The DC Department of Buildings requires a permit for any deck more than 30 inches above finished grade, and the permit application must include a site plan demonstrating setback compliance and lot coverage. All fences in DC must be permitted regardless of height, and a site plan is part of that application as well. DC's tight lot sizes and strict lot coverage rules — limiting structures over 4 feet above grade to a specific percentage of the lot — make an accurate site plan essential for both permit approval and zoning compliance.

Question 11

I live in a DC historic district — do I need additional review beyond the DOB permit?

Accepted Answer

Yes — if your property is in a DC historic district such as Georgetown, Capitol Hill, Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, or Kalorama, any exterior alteration requires separate review by the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) or, for Georgetown specifically, the Old Georgetown Board and the US Commission of Fine Arts (CFA). This applies to exterior projects including new decks, fences, sheds, garages, and additions — even when those projects also require a standard DOB building permit. A site plan is a key part of the documentation package for HPRB and CFA submissions, showing the proposed work in relation to existing structures and GIS parcel lines. MySitePlan's professionally drafted drawings can support your historic preservation review submission while you coordinate your certified building plat through the DC Office of the Surveyor for the DOB. For more information on historic preservation requirements, visit planning.dc.gov .

Question 12

Do I need a site plan for a shed, garage, or accessory structure permit in Washington, DC?

Accepted Answer

Yes — sheds, garages, and all accessory structures require a building permit from the DC Department of Buildings, and a site plan showing the structure's location relative to GIS parcel lines is required as part of that application. DC's lot coverage rules are particularly important for accessory structures: zoning regulations strictly limit the total footprint of structures over 4 feet above grade as a percentage of your lot, so a site plan is essential for demonstrating compliance before you break ground. If your property is in a historic district such as Georgetown or Capitol Hill, accessory structures also require HPRB or Old Georgetown Board review in addition to the standard DOB permit. The Medium Site Plan ($119) is the most popular choice for DC accessory structure permits, as it captures existing improvements, proposed structures, and key measurements in one clear drawing.

District of Columbia Site Plans

What to provide for your site plan

Non-certified site plans

Check permit requirements before ordering